Construction of a swimming pool in Six-Fours: it's getting clearer

One topic often leads to another at the Six-Fours municipal council. After the vote on the 2024 management accounts, while the mayor was once again congratulating himself this year on being in charge of a municipality "that has no budgetary problems and generates considerable surpluses" , opposition councillor Dominique Nemeth criticised "a lack of investment" , recalling in passing the expectations of the Six-Fours residents who are eager to benefit from a fully operational swimming pool...

"No investment? You're joking," Jean-Sébastien Vialatte initially reacted. "And the 23 million for the new schools!" He then provided details on the swimming pool(s) issue. It should be remembered that the project to share the Aquasud complex with the town of La Seyne fell through, and that the idea of ​​renovating the current Tournesol swimming pool, located in Traverse des Hoirs, is no longer on the agenda: it is no longer suitable, too small, and too costly to maintain and operate.

The idea of ​​building a new one in the Repentance district, which was already mentioned a few months ago, has also come up again. This gave the chief magistrate the opportunity to announce that the matter is even well advanced: "Next week, the competition jury to choose an architect will meet ," he said. "It's a go, it will be built, and with almost no borrowing."

Padel in Repentance: towards acceptance?

The mayor also indicated that the work will be completed before the next municipal elections, "so that we cannot go back on the project." "It will be a sports pool, without a slide or anything else, 25m long, but with 6 lanes instead of the current 4."

Further information obtained after the meeting indicates that the call for tenders has already taken place, to which around twenty architects have responded. Three will be selected based on their applications next week, who will then be asked to present a preliminary project to the City. The successful candidate will be announced in September. The specifications require an "outdoor, but covered, swimming pool."

Subject to adaptations based on the architect's proposals, the town hall wishes to favor a structure with a roof and partially open walls to allow natural ventilation and limit the phenomenon of chloramine, "which is expensive to treat" in an enclosed space. "In fact, we are looking for an ecological solution," summarizes the mayor.

One thing definitely leads to another, this project should indeed see the light of day right next to the court where a padel complex is still planned, the mayor indicated in response to a question from Gilles Baldacchino. And: "The petitioner has filed a new permit," confided Jean-Sébastien Vialatte. Apparently, he met with the locals, with whom he has apparently reached an agreement (while an appeal is still pending in the administrative court). But I'll wait and see. "

Towards a reconversion of the Tournesol swimming pool?

"And what will become of the current swimming pool?" , Dominique Nemeth asked again. While it is too early to say, "it is a real issue," believes the mayor, who is in any case considering keeping this remarkable structure, designed by architect Bernard Schoeller and built in 1979. And diverting its original function: "We are already receiving proposals, such as an exhibition hall linked to sporting activities in Six-Fours and its champions; a meeting place for associations; someone even suggested a butterfly greenhouse... But at the moment, nothing has been decided. We will choose together," he declared, to the surprise of Mr. Nemeth, happy with the invitation. "But after the elections," whispered the outgoing mayor... and visibly confident.