Taeru sports complex in Belgium

Taeru Sports ComplexExternal link. is not just a training facility. It includes a 1400 m² sports hall, fitness rooms, yoga rooms and a heated 25-meter swimming pool. In addition, the complex offers nine double rooms that can be individually heated and put under high pressure to simulate an altitude stage effect. Well-known athletes such as Wout van Aert, Tiesj Benoot and Victor Campenaerts are already using these advanced facilities.

Originally, the sports complex was equipped with an oversized gas boiler that made as many as 18,000 starts per year, which led to comfort problems for the athletes. "Athletes such as cyclists and triathletes quickly ran out of hot water," explains Dave Leukemans, manager of DRL-TechnicsExternal link.. This was unacceptable for a high-end training facility that targets elite athletes.

According to Dirk Baelus, owner of the complex, there were initially problems with temperature control. "Our rooms can be brought up to height, with less oxygen in the air. But the building was so well insulated that the heat lingered. Especially at 30°C outside it became much too hot. So we also had to start cooling," he says.

Through positive references in the area, Baelus came into contact with Leukemans from DRL-Technics. "The previous company is bankrupt and I was not satisfied," says Baelus. Leukemans discovered many errors in the previous installation. "There were mainly problems with heating and sanitary hot water. By simply modifying the installation, we can now make enough hot water for nine showers. In addition, we can use the heat pumps to cool the floor of the entire building. As a back-up, there is a boiler that we have recovered."

The updated system combines a CTC EcoAir 712 heat pump with two spiral boilers of 1,000 litres each. This ensures a stable supply of hot water, even during peak times. "With the CTC scheme, we now control the entire building," Leukemans clarifies. The big advantage turns out to be the gas boiler that was recovered and now serves as a back-up. "If the heat pump malfunctions, the gas boiler takes over automatically. This ensures a reliable system and ample and continuous access to hot water for the top athletes."

The technical realization of the project was not without challenges. In particular, the control of the transition between heating, cooling and domestic hot water was not self-evident, but was solved via the EcoLogic control. "Getting the two boilers to the basement was no easy task either, because it is higher than street level," says Leukemans. In addition, there was time pressure. "We had to be ready before the next team of athletes arrived," he recalls.

The sports complex is now a forerunner in the field of sustainable and efficient energy solutions. According to Baelus, that was always the intention: "We are in nature here, so working in an environmentally friendly way makes sense. We always wanted to be sustainable and, where possible, work with ecologically viable materials. For example, our insulation is made of lime hemp, and there are North Sea shells under the floor. We also have solar panels."

Thanks to the optimized heating and cooling system, the facilities meet the highest demands of athletes. "The athletes who came before and after notice a huge difference. Sleeping at simulated altitude is apparently often a problem. With us, that is now on point, so the athletes are very satisfied," confirms Baelus, "But it is pleasant here for everyone, including people who come on team building, for example."

Leukemans' projects for the Taeru sports complex are not over yet. "In the meantime, we are already working on two other buildings. We have added solar panels and a module to use surplus electricity." In addition, the new installation also offers flexible expansion options, including a second heat pump.