The city of Sint-Niklaas has taken another step toward accessible and sustainable recreation with the introduction of its first digital sharing stations at the De Witte Molen sports field. These smart lockers, filled with sports and play equipment, allow residents to borrow items free of charge through a dedicated app — making it easier than ever to enjoy outdoor activities together.
Sharing sport, building community
As one of the pilot cities in the European Digital Kiosks project, Sint-Niklaas is exploring how digital tools can help make public spaces more inclusive and community-oriented. The new system works much like bike sharing: users register once, connect to the lockers via Bluetooth, and can then borrow equipment such as footballs, frisbees, or spikeballs with just a few taps on their phone.
“It’s incredibly simple,” explains Peter Van Lijsbetten from the local sports council, who was among the first to try out the new lockers. “After registering in the app, you can instantly open a locker and choose what you’d like to borrow. It’s completely free and open to everyone.”
Promoting Sustainability and Active Communities
Beyond convenience, the initiative reflects a growing commitment to sustainability and shared use of resources. By encouraging borrowing over buying, the city hopes to extend the lifespan of sports equipment, minimize waste, and make physical activity accessible to all residents. It also strengthens the sense of neighborhood connection by inviting people to meet, play, and stay active together in public spaces.
Following the successful launch at De Witte Molen, additional sharing stations are planned for later this year at Hendrik Heymanplein and the Den Azalee thrift store. Each new location will be adapted to local needs — while the sports fields focus on recreation, the station at Den Azalee will allow residents to share work tools like drills and DIY equipment.
A European Collaboration for a Circular Future
Sint-Niklaas’s involvement in the Interreg North Sea-funded Digital Kiosks project, led by the French city of Saint-Quentin, places it among twelve European partners developing and testing 22 sharing stations across seven countries. Over the next three years, at least 5,000 users are expected to participate in the trials. The project will also produce a practical guide and outreach materials to help other communities design their own local sharing systems.
Through this blend of technology, collaboration, and sustainability, Sint-Niklaas is showing how cities can empower residents to take part in building a more connected, circular, and active future.