WORKING IN

STAGEC O B ELGIUM

27

WORKING IN AN ALTERNATIVE WORLD

In this feature, we summarise a diverse cross section of projects undertaken by Stageco Belgium and managed by Tom Bilsen that have helped to minimise the huge gap left by the absence of regular festivals and concert tours in 2020.

STATION OF THE FUTURE

Commissioned by Belgian rail network NMBS, Stageco spent three weeks in November at the site of the new, future-conscious railway station in Mechelen, a city conveniently located between Antwerp and Brussels.

Local labour provided by the client joined a Stageco crew of four – led by Patrik Vonckx and Kevin De Meyer – to tackle the installation of decorative panels in the roof columns, as referenced on this edition’s front page.

Construction of the station began in 2018 and it is believed that the first two of 12 railway platforms will be ready and open by December 14th.

THE GLOW OF WINTER

The very idea of a magical light paradise is arguably more appealing than ever in these dull times. This was the thinking behind the city of Bruges’ wish to make the Christmas period of 2020 unforgettable with a Corona-proof second edition of Winter Glow (Wintergloed).

Spectacular light installations have been spread throughout the historic city centre to create a beautiful winter experience, and Stageco has lent a hand by constructing two scaffold towers (with Sandro heading the team) which will remain in place until January 6th.

FIFTEEN THOUSAND HOLES IN GENK

A large industrial warehouse in the town of Genk, containing a huge stock of Nike clothing and shoes, recently hired Stageco to install steel reinforcement strips on roof spans to withstand the load of solar panels.

With Stefaan Vandenbosch and Thomas Boulogne leading a team of five across eight weeks, the job saw 15,000 holes being drilled into the existing construction, allowing precisely 948 strips to be bolted to the existing roof support.

IN THE SWIM

A classic example of combining standard equipment such as scaffolding and truss with the application of working at height skills was demonstrated at the Kontich swimming pool in the province of Antwerp towards the end of November.

Over two days, a crew of three installed a rolling bridge over the pool to use as a working platform when they replaced around 100 damaged ceiling tiles.

Top: Working in Brussels on the European Research & Innovation Days build. Above Camping in Durbuy.

SUMMER CAMP

Bart Dewolf was in charge of the building of platforms at a camping site on the outskirts of the Belgian Ardennes city of Durbuy, which was active from late June until early September. The crew unloaded three trailers of gear ahead of three days of building work in a beautiful location steeped in natural countryside and adventure.

INNOVATIVE COLLABORATION

In September, Stageco’s Patrik Vonckx and Bart Dewolf were the crew chiefs on a job for the European Research & Innovation Days, the European Commission’s flagship R&I event which every year brings together policy makers, researchers, entrepreneurs and the public to debate, collaborate and shape future endeavours in Europe and beyond.

A fully virtual event this year, it coincided with the Policy Conference and the Science Is Wonderful! online exhibition, and Stageco’s role was to fill the inner square of the European Commission’s R&I building in Brussels with scaffolding, decking and three roofs using five trailer loads of materials.

Ronde Van Vlaanderen. Below: The Tabor pub; the outdoor stage at the deSingel arts centre.

FLANDERS CLASSICS

After its initial postponement, an exceptional edition of Ronde Van Vlaanderen, otherwise known as the Flanders Classics cycling event, finally got under way on October 18th, witnessing Mathieu van der Poel’s dramatic sprint to victory.

For this event, Wim Maes managed Stageco’s activities while Gilles Bosque and Sebastiaan Kotsch headed the crew that built the stages and roofs at the starting point in Antwerp and the finishing line in Oudenaarde.

DE SINGEL ANTWERPEN

Usually known as a venue with a versatile indoor offering of music, dance, theatre, the deSingel arts centre on the Desguinlei in Antwerp, was forced to present its calendar of entertainment outdoors after pandemic regulations took effect. To help with the reorganisation, Wim Maes drove the project that saw Stageco build a brand new stage floor.

TABOR TERRACE

Last but not least, when Tabor, a pub in Heverlee (near Leuven) often frequented by local students, decided to create a small, 6m x 6m weatherproof terrace adjacent to its main building, the owner did not hesitate in hiring Stageco’s expertise, leaving the planning to Maes.

The terrace was added to create more outdoor space in order to accommodate patrons during the pandemic. Gezondheid! Proost! Cheers!