Work starts on new fire tower Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide
On 20 October, work started on a new fire tower in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. The municipality of Kalmthout, the Nature and Forest Agency and Astrid (telecom operator of the emergency and security services) are jointly investing in this new landmark. The new fire tower will not only be an attraction for visitors, but will also improve communication between the emergency services and fire detection.
The new tower will be a new landmark in the Kalmthoutse Heide. It will be a beautiful tower in an elegant design of green steel combined with wood. The tower will also provide more space for visitors and fire watchers and will be much easier to access with its straight stairs. The tower will also be significantly taller than the current fire tower. The antenna atop the tower will reach 42 metres high. The covered fire watch tower will be 30 metres high and the highest tourist viewing platform will be 24 metres high.
Visitors will get an overwhelming view of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide and its surroundings from the tower. Because of the higher experience platform, there will be a view over the treetops.
The new tower faces the directions of the wind. This makes it easier for fire tower watchers to give correct instructions on the location of a fire. In addition, the trees around the current fire tower have grown a lot since it was installed. Those extra metres of height really give a lot more visibility. The work on the new tower is taking place in a vulnerable nature reserve. That is why we are taking appropriate measures. For instance, we limit the inconvenience by planning the works outside the breeding season and as much as possible in advance. The old fire tower will remain operational until the new one is completely finished. After that, the old tower will be demolished.
Telecom operator Astrid is equipping the tower with the necessary antennas so that emergency services have better coverage in case of fire and remain connected at all times.
The construction of the tower will cost some 730 000 euros, of which the municipality of Kalmthout, as owner and builder, will provide 260 000 euros. In addition, both the Nature and Forest Agency (270 000 euros) and Astrid (200 000 euros) are co-investing in the new fire tower.
Works on the new fire tower will start in the week of 20 October. The tower was designed by Nohnik in collaboration with ABT and Bureau Bouwtechnieken and will be built by TM IDD-Costermans. The municipality of Kalmthout foresees the completion of the tower in April 2022.
During the works, footpaths passing by the fire tower will be rerouted. These are the paths Sheep, Dragonfly, Caterpillar and Ree. Signs in the area indicate the diversion.
All current information about the works can be found at www.kalmthout.be/brandtoren. You can take a virtual tour of the new fire tower at https://www.scanbie.com/brandtoren.