UCPA Aqua Stadium in Mérignac opens to the public

The full-featured UCPA Aqua Stadium was designed to meet the diverse needs of people in the city and surrounding area, with swimming for beginners and experienced swimmers alike, club- and higher-level sports, sports leisure activities, fitness, aqua cycling, baby swimming classes, water slides, and well-being and spa facilities, with high-quality food also available on site.

The complex enables Mérignac to host large-scale swimming events thanks to its FFN (French Swimming Federation) “Major Facility” status.
The UCPA Aqua Stadium is sited on a two-hectare plot at the heart of the Robert Brettes sports complex, which is currently undergoing a complete redevelopment to improve traffic flows for pedestrians and cyclists.
In terms of energy performance, a wood-fired heating plant connected to the facility is planned to power a heat network for central Mérignac, in tandem with a shallow geothermal energy system. Water management equipment includes a water recovery system and water-saving solutions. This aquatic, fitness and well-being facility is certified High Quality Environmental.

An exceptional facility

• 50-metre, 10-lane indoor Olympic pool
• grandstand with 1,200 fixed seats
• indoor learning/activity pool
• indoor leisure pool with stream, water jets, massage jets
• paddling pool linked to an indoor water play area
• indoor slide
• heated outdoor pool with five 25-metre lanes and balneotherapy area
• outdoor water play area
• future outdoor multipurpose pool named “WaterJump” with eight water slides
• fitness and well-being space that includes:
  • four dry activity rooms
  • cardio room
  • relaxation pool
  • cold pool
  • hammam
  • sauna
  • hot tub
  • salt cave
  • solarium
• offices, training room and storage areas for sports associations
• lobby, changing rooms, toilets
• restaurant accessible from inside or outside

The public service concession contract for the finance, design, construction, repair, maintenance and operation of this facility was awarded to a consortium of Eiffage, UCPA, Dalkia and Banque des Territoires.
Eiffage Concessions joined forces with two firms of architects, Chabanne and Christophe Blamm Architecture, to design a simple and functional structure that integrates perfectly with its environment. The works were carried out by Eiffage Construction and Eiffage Route with ECNA subcontracting for the roads and utilities. The finance package includes a €20 million investment subsidy from Bordeaux Métropole, €26.5 in long-term bank debt, and a €0.5 million equity contribution.

The contract is worth €37.6 million.
 Bordeaux Métropole and Mérignac City Council are undertaking the project, with financial support from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region (€3 million), Agence Régionale du Sport (€1.5 million) and the Gironde department (€1 million).
The city water sports stadium public service concession contract will run for 22.5 years.