If building a new 6,000-seat sports complex in the metropolis of Montpellier dedicated to Montpellier handball is confirmed, the place where it will be established is not yet, but things are progressing. During the last meeting on Friday February 26 between the City, the Montpellier Metropolis, the Serm and the managers and representatives of the MHB shareholders, three sites were selected and are being studied. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Ode to the sea
This site near the future Louis Nicollin football stadium in Pérols, in front of the Sud Arena, on the tram side. But it is on land that belongs to the region. That would do an area dedicated to sport, an avenue of sports. The mayor of Montpellier, Michaël Delafosse, supports and defends this project.
Odysseum
The site envisaged is precisely the tip of Odysseum, behind Decathlon and Ikea where the Bouglione eco-circus is currently located. This project would appeal to private shareholders of MHB, in an area of passage, shops but with constraints in terms of construction. Constraints imposed by the Bâtiments de France due to the proximity of the Château de la Mogère.
And why not stay in Bougnol?
The Bougnol site, which seemed to give up, is back in the race. It is the historic lair of the MHB but it does not seem possible to enlarge the sports hall. That means build a new room, keeping or not the current one, either on the side of the Lunaret Zoo, or on the other side.
There remains the big problem of lack of parking spaces but which could be partly solved by the service by the Tramway. This choice would certainly have the favor of MHB supporters and is said to be the vice president in charge of sports in the metropolis, Christian Assaf.
What do we say about the MHB side? A month ago the president Julien Deljarry and the manager Patrice Canayer expressed the wish to stay within the city limits from Montpellier.
“This is always our goal, because there are a lot of sports coming out of the city but the project of Michael Delafosse’s sports avenue which goes towards the sea with football and perhaps other sports also had to. meaning.” Julien Deljarry
Decision at the end of April
The MHB needs a new hall with 6,000 seats to meet the standards of European bodies, Bougnol can only accommodate 3,500 spectators, with a reception area for events allowing new revenue to be generated.
The decision on the location of the new room will be made by the end of April for a room with majority public funding but with the participation of private investors.
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