Christian Estrosi announced his “swimming pool plan” in December 2021. Renovations, lots of them. And creations too.
In three years, two projects have been launched. That of the Ariane swimming pool – completed – which cost 2.4 million euros. In the heart of Nice, the Saint-François swimming pool is under construction. The first phase which concerned the small and large baths is completed. The second begins next summer, with, among other things, the renovation of the reception and changing rooms. “With what has already been done, we have increased the slots for children by 20% and overall reduced water and energy expenditure by 10%,” assures the mayor of Nice.
It remains to be seen the fate of the 8 other swimming pools in Nice.
Two pools in Jean-Bouin
First of all, the Jean-Bouin complex, at the center of a controversy in recent days. Destroyed? Not destroyed? “Jean Bouin will become a nautical center”, announces Christian Estrosi. “In 2029, there will be the delivery of the Olympic ice rink for the Olympic Games to the west of Nice: 10,000 seats. It is intended to replace that of Jean-Bouin which serves the public, at Les Aigles [l’équipe de Hockey sur glace] and figure skating”, indicates the mayor. Who received, he swears, the results of the studies “8 days ago”. “We are going to update the pool so that it consumes less and we are going to redo the greenhouse to standards. And create a second 25-meter pool.”
The current ice rink will be used until the Olympic Games, notably for training, before disappearing in favor of the new structure which will also be shared between sport, competition and the public.
Outdoor swimming pool in Saint-Roch
At the Saint-Roch swimming pool, further east, a second 25-meter pool will be created outside. The current pool will be renovated. “Studies are underway, the competition will be launched at the end of 2025”, informs Christian Estrosi. The project could cost around 5.5 million euros.
A Camille-Muffat basin
All other pools will be rehabilitated. Finally, the Piol swimming pool will not be destroyed as announced in 2021. “In spring 2025, the structure of the basin will be rehabilitated for 300,000 euros, before a major renovation in 2026-2027 for 2.4 million euros,” specifies the first magistrate. Saint-Augustin will be modernized in two stages – 1.4 million euros – in 2026. Like Comte de Falicon, between 2026 and 2027.
And then, there will be the creation of two outdoor basins between 2026 and 2030, reveals the Horizons elected official.
“Within a year and a half, a 50-meter pool, identical to the Camille-Muffat pool, in parallel. We already have the financial commitment of the ministry through the National Swimming Federation”he congratulates himself.
The second will be located at the port of Nice, at the Red Tower by 2030, “as part of the restructuring of the nautical base”. “We are finalizing the study of an entire complex”, says Estrosi.
Caras en attention
The nautical center in Carras, announced in 2021, is not abandoned. The basin was to be heated by the Haliotis wastewater treatment plant, which is currently under construction. But, “the studies are not finished”. Just like the discussions with the operator Suez “which depending on the finalization of the project will return to us abandoned areas on the edge of the port of Carras to develop the basin. We will have more precision within a year.”
