Veldeman Structure Solutions, which designs and manufactures temporary, semi-permanent and permanent fabric structures, has created an indoor hall for KRC Genk football team.

The team, which plays in Belgium’s first division, has been national champion three times, won the Belgian cup four times and has participated in the Champions League, as well as in the Europa League.

Veldeman, based in Bree, Belgium, presented a proposal for an indoor football hall with a steel fabric structure (SFS) of 40m by 70m with a side height of 8.4m.

The hall has translucent roof fabrics which let in natural, uniform light for energy saving. Blue in the same shade as the KRC Genk strip has been used for the side walls and gables, and the club’s logo, covering a surface area of 16 sq m, is visible on both gables.

The side walls can be removed to create a semi-open atmosphere in summer while protecting against glare, rain and overheating. There is boarding for additional variations on the game along the length of the hall.

The team has been making use of the hall during the past winter. Gunther Jacob, sportive director, said: “For us it is important that our players – from youth to first-team – can always train in optimal conditions. In addition, the closed structure makes it possible to really train behind closed doors. This leaves no chance for intruders.”

The main advantage of this indoor football hall is that it can be used throughout the year. Rain, snow and frost are no longer a problem, and high temperatures need no longer stop play either. In addition, the regular training fields are spared and players can train on perfect fields, which improves playing comfort and reduces the risk on injuries.

Club doctor Stijn Indeherberge said: “It goes without saying that the risk of injuries is much lower when you can move in a controlled way and sprains and strains due to uneven or icy surfaces are less likely to occur. Furthermore it is useful to play regularly on artificial grass, because that way the body can adapt to the specificities that playing on artificial grass entails. This reduces the risk on injuries when you have to play against an opponent on artificial grass.”

Veldeman has built more than 400 sports buildings for various sports including tennis, football, horseback riding, winter sports, water sports and multi sports and offers turnkey solutions, including foundations, heating, lighting and insulation.