The long ecological march of Villeneuve-la-Garenne continues.
Since February 12, swimmers have once again had an aquatic center worthy of the name.
Completely renovated, the Alice-Milliat swimming pool was inaugurated on February 9.
In addition to the local political elite and the former world champion Camille Lacourt, it was mainly dozens of residents who witnessed this rebirth.
“The old one dated from the 1970s and there had never been any real rehabilitation.
So we had an old-fashioned swimming pool with period machinery, which was a real thermal sieve,” summarizes Pascal Pelain, the mayor (UDI) of Villeneuve.
The choice was simple: total facelift (close, demolish and rebuild) or minimal renovation.
Villeneuve-la-Garenne, February 9.
Former world backstroke champion Camille Lacourt was invited to the inauguration of the completely renovated swimming pool.
DR.
It is therefore the first option that was chosen.
For three million euros, half for the city, the other at the expense of the department and the National Sports Agency (ANS), Villeneuve acquired modern equipment, completely refurbished.
A swimming pool accessible to people with reduced mobility, better insulated, with a new water treatment device.
Enough to achieve 35% energy savings.
In addition to the small pool, it has an Olympic pool with a removable wall: the trick allows you to have half inside and the other outside for the summer.
“This new equipment will attract people.
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“Frankly, the result is up to par,” rejoices Éric Truchot, president of the diving club for 26 years.
We use it three times a week, so we struggled during the closure.
I believe that we don't see the most high-tech thing: it's the machinery and all the technical innovations.
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This pool has some 80,000 entries per year.
Among the regulars, members of the Amicale Villeneuve-la-Garenne (AVG), the multi-sports club composed, among others, of swimming, diving and aquagym sections.
Out of a total of 3,500 licensees, 550 to 600 use the swimming pool regularly.
“We suffered from the closure, two aquagym teachers left us but we are happy with the work.
This new equipment will attract people.
We have also taken slots for our sports-health activity,” underlines Pascal Crenn, director of AVG Omnisports.
“Until now, the sports facilities in Villeneuve did not have a name,” notes Pascal Pelain.
We're fixing it.
This time, we have chosen Alice Milliat to salute her sporting and feminist fight.
» French swimmer, hockey player and rower, she fought at the beginning of the 20th century for the recognition of women's sport and for women to be able to participate in the Olympic Games.