Building timeline
... - 1857
Construction of the Kortrijk - Bossuit canal
Construction of the Kortrijk - Bossuit canal starts with 1,100 men and 40 horses. This is intended to create a shorter connection route for ships from Hainaut to the North Sea. The works took three years to complete.
1860
Pump building start-up
The pump building is put into operation. This was built with bricks from one of the brickworks in Moen, with clay from the sites along the canal and from the Sousterrain tunnel. The building consists of three large parts: a coal warehouse, a room for the generators and a machine room.
1914 - 1918
WWI
During the World War a lot of damage was caused to the canal. The retreating Germans blew up many bridges and locks.
1939 - 1945
WWII
The basement in Moen was used as the German headquarters. Here Göring organized some strategic consultations. Just like in WW1, the bridge crossings were blown up during the withdrawal.
1971
Widening of the canal
A widening of the canal is necessary; larger ships with heavier loads of 1,350 tons must be given better passage. This also requires heavier pumps. the old pump building with its pumps was no longer sufficient and was replaced by 2 new pumps: 1 in Bossuit and 1 in Moen.
1971 - 1992
Decay of the pump building
In the years that followed, the building was no longer used and fell into disrepair.
1992 - 1994
A new life for the pump building
The municipal council of Avelgem buys the pump building and serves as the seat of the tourist information center. In addition, the pump building is also the starting point for some beautiful cycling and walking tours, with the added benefit of a catering facility.
The building had not been used since the 1970s and had fallen into disrepair. This ensured that the city was allowed to carry out major renovation work. These lasted until 1999.
1999
Opening of the renovated pump building
An inter-municipal collaboration started with the opening of the restored pump building. The building also serves as an information office of the West Flemish Leie Region Tourist Information Office.
2021
The Spirits Valley
In 2021, the pump building was renamed The Spirits Valley. Three companies moved here: Albatross Liquors, Tailor Taste Distillery and Spirits by Design. Everything related to spirits is done in-house here, from production to export.
The Spirits Valley
Doorniksesteenweg 402
8583 Bossuit
Belgium