Europlanetarium Genk

The AFA and especially Armand Pien (former television weatherman) suggested expanding to a full people's observatory in every Flemish province.

A course of General Astronomy for novices started in 1979 while a small group of members occupied themselves with the business side of the foundation of the observatory.

It was decided to build the dome locally in order to keep the prices down and to maintain a good relationship with the municipality.

The active members of the observatory finished beside the self built dome also a large part of the interior design.

A scientific image of 570 million years geological history is reproduced here in an utmost pleasant style and this in such a way that it can captivate and appeal to both the specialist, the student or the passer-by.

The idea to adjoin a planetarium to the existing people's observatory occurred in view of the precarious economical problems of the mine area and the need to expand a sustainable tourist infrastructure for Genk.

The extension of a planetarium in Genk offered after all the possibility to attract visitors form the entire Euregion and to give the recreation area Kattevennen the appearance it intended and deserved.

The exceeded tourist character of the planetarium project for the region is part of the conversion of the eastern mine area.

There were three partners for the construction: the EEC (50%), the Flemish General Commissioner's office for Tourism (40%) and the local authority of Genk (10%).

Meanwhile, much work was put into the finishing outside, clinkers and plants were placed in order to make the planetarium accessible and attractive.

After the delivery of the installation it was the intention to extend the automated projections, but with the possibility of providing live shows at any time.