A 180° turn is the first impression that comes to mind when learning about the conversion project of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Cointe, i.e. this basilica which sits enthroned on the hill of Cointe, benevolent to the environment. towards Liège, alongside the Interalliés monument. Among the three candidates selected within the framework of the call for projects, it was not the more “traditional” real estate development options that seduced the Diocese of Liège and the Basilique de la Paix Foundation but rather the one, a little crazy, from Gehlen Group, this consortium of companies from Malmedy, known in particular for having revived the Intermills complex (cinema, hotel, etc.).
His ambition for the basilica: to develop there, no more and no less, the highest “climbing” room in Europe… and even the second highest in the world; a project associated with a panoramic restaurant, a neighborhood cinema, a multipurpose space for events and atypical housing (tourism). Without forgetting the memorial space preserved in the choir of the Basilica as well as the crypt and the sacristy, preserved for religious worship…
40 meters under ceiling
Experience Basilica, such is the name of this astonishing reconversion which aims to take advantage of some 40 meters of ceiling height and which will therefore make it possible to offer “a unique sporting experience”, insist the promoters of the project, who seduced the Church.
Concretely, a simple extension in the axis of the basilica will make it possible to accommodate the mentioned leisure activities while the original building will serve as a climbing room, developed by The wall, a company which has a room at Intermills Malmedy. The three Olympic disciplines of climbing, bouldering and speed climbing will be developed here.
And since the project aims to be unifying and respectful of the place, there is no question of distorting the landscape site or the basilica which will therefore also host, at the request of the Basilique de la Paix Foundation, a memorial space, consisting of an exhibition area upstairs and a meeting space that can accommodate various conferences on the ground floor. All directly linked to the leisure activities offered in the main space as well as in the extension.
Objective of this project estimated at 10 million euros: finalize the file this year to obtain the permit and start work in mid-2023, with an opening for the end of 2024 or even the beginning of 2025.
Sport and spirituality
Sports, entertainment and spirituality… Is it so surprising? Not so much to hear the members of the Foundation and of the Dioscese because the experience, both sporting and spiritual, joins here the concept elevation… to each his own religion in a way and besides, it is well known, to climb in complete serenity, you must have faith and, inevitably, believe in your lucky star. Amen.