The Tony Bertrand nautical center (former Rhône swimming pool), the tree that hides the forest in Lyon? - Laurent Cipriani / AP / SIPA

  • The municipal elections are held on March 15 and 22, 2020. Each week, 20 Minutes tackles a theme of the campaign. Today, we are looking at the problem of swimming pools.
  • Almost all candidates are aware of the issue posed by the obvious lack of swimming pools in Lyon.
  • In order to improve this offer during the next mandate, they are not only proposing the construction of new long-term equipment, but also temporary pools along rivers or the opening of nine Lyon swimming pools in summer (compared to five currently).

A swimming pool for approximately 85,000 inhabitants in winter and even one for more than 100,000 inhabitants in summer. Here is the daily life of the Lyonnais, who have long regretted a glaring lack of nautical structures in the third largest city in France. "The pool plan has never been honored," points out the Republican Etienne Blanc, who is seeking the mayor of Lyon. 20 Minutes reveals the solutions mentioned by the various candidates for the municipal authorities on this major issue.

Despite the short list of five swimming pools open to the general public in summer and six in winter in inner Lyon, Agnès Marion (RN) clearly does not want to build new equipment. Eric Lafond, who has just joined forces with the centrist Denis Broliquier, also refuses to mention a "pool plan": "We must be sober in investments and optimize existing infrastructure". But by his side, Denis Broliquier still plans the creation of a four-story sports building in Confluence (Lyon 2e), including a diving pit and a swimming pool.

Our file on Municipal

"Today, building and managing a swimming pool costs a fortune"

He also wanted to add a first onsen (Japanese thermal bath) within the confines of a Lyon nautical basin, as well as "installing temporary nature pools in the Saône in summer". "Today, building and managing a swimming pool costs a fortune," he says. There, the price will be much more measured, especially since the solution will only be temporary. "

Etienne Blanc shares this idea of ​​“temporary swimming pools placed on the Rhône or the Saône in summer”. "An infiltration system makes it possible to clean the waters of the river so that swimmers can swim in them without risk," said candidate LR, estimating an annual cost of 300,000 euros per year thanks to this process.

The multisports complex option

The other candidates are in favor of more sustainable investments. This is the case of Nathalie Perrin-Gilbert (Lyon in common), who wishes to "significantly increase the number of sports facilities" in Lyon, while relying on the needs of the town halls of the districts. More precise, Sandrine Runel (PS) leaves on two new "sports complexes" to come during the next mandate, one in the east and the other in the west of the city.

“These will be multisport complexes which combine several functions: gymnasiums, grounds and swimming pools. She wants "social pricing, so that these places are accessible to all". So no entry ticket at 8 euros as is the case in summer at the nautical center Tony Bertrand (ex-Rhône pool). Grégory Doucet (EELV) promises the construction of two swimming pools, which he plans to build in the 8th arrondissement and in Confluence.

Towards the opening of all swimming pools in summer?

"We will have to find, as was done in Paris, a virtuous system allowing to reuse fluids", he specifies. A dissident candidate and former mayor of Lyon, Georges Képénékian wants above all to "modernize and strengthen structures that are aging". With in mind the possibility "to extend the opening hours of the equipment in the evening and to open all the swimming pools in the summer".

Understanding Saint-Exupéry (4th), Garibaldi (3rd), Charial (3rd) and Benjamin Delessert (7th), previously closed from June to August. In addition to this prospect of relying on nine nautical establishments in the summer, Georges Képénékian plans to build "two new swimming pools and an aqua-leisure area on the river in coordination with the metropolis".

Can the renovation of the Gerland swimming pool be a game-changer?

Deputy mayor of Lyon delegate for sports, major events and tourism during Gérard Collomb's last mandate, Yann Cucherat easily recognizes "a lack of swimming pools in Lyon". To defend his assessment on this theme, the candidate LREM explains that "it was necessary to renovate many swimming pools", praising above all "the little gem in the heart of the city" that has become the nautical center Tony Bertrand.

The Rhône swimming pool becomes the Tony Bertrand nautical center: #Lyon honors one of its most committed builders. pic.twitter.com/Gvm1JWR9nq

- Gérard Collomb - Mayor of Lyon (@gerardcollomb) September 23, 2015

Satisfied that the Gerland swimming pool, open until then only in summer, will be renovated by summer 2021 by LOU Rugby in a version "12 months / 12 with slots for the general public", Yann Cucherat s also commits to launch two other dedicated equipment. “There is a swimming pool project attached to the Kennedy school (Lyon 8th), which would be more reserved for schoolchildren and associations. But also a nautical leisure space for the general public elsewhere. So many proposals to (finally) take the plunge?

municipal

Municipal in 2020 in Lyon: Bike plan, zone 30 or pedestrian ... Discover the candidates' tracks to limit the car in the city center

Elections

Municipales 2020 in Lyon: The candidates are banking on planting to reduce the effects of global warming

  • Gérard Collomb
  • Lyon
  • municipal
  • Swimming pool