Open Recruitment Day attracts more than 2,500 visitors.
What happens when you pull back the curtain of one of Ostend’s most iconic buildings during a spectacular makeover? You get more than 2,500 people walking through the doors, all eager to discover the future of the Kursaal. And that is exactly what happened during Open Wervendag 2025 on Sunday 25 May.
Open Construction Site Day 2025
From early morning until late afternoon, curious visitors—alone, with friends, or with family—followed a specially designed route through the construction site. The large gate of the Kursaal served as the starting line for a unique behind‑the‑scenes look at the large‑scale renovation project.And it never got dull: along the route, information points with videos and visualisations brought the technical side of the works to life.
“This is not a standard renovation. We’re creating custom work using exceptional techniques. It’s fantastic that we were able to share this with so many people today.
Even those who weren’t necessarily construction enthusiasts found plenty to enjoy. Children could get creative during hands‑on activities in the foyer, and a refreshing drink provided a cosy ending to every visit. Experience was at the heart of it all — and you could feel it.
Alderman for Tourism Niko Geldhof summed it up beautifully: “Today’s strong turnout shows that even in full construction mode, Kursaal Ostend continues to capture people’s imagination. With this renovation, we are building a technically advanced venue ready for the future — a place where culture, entertainment and tourism go hand in hand.”
