Padel, synthetic fields, pump track… Update on sports projects in Millau

Le parc des sports doit subir un lifting dans les prochains mois. Midi libre – Maxime Cohen

À l'aube de cette nouvelle année 2024, Jean-Pierre Mas, élu aux Sports à Millau, fait le point sur l'avancement des dossiers sportifs.

Year 2024, Olympic year, it was important for Jean-Pierre Mas, elected to Sports in Millau, to take stock of the current projects, concerning the sports policy of the City. Since 2020 and the municipal election, several projects have seen the light of day. Some, like Paul-Tort or the sports complex, were launched under the old municipality. Others arrived later, like the Marie-Amélie Le Fur hall at Puits-de-Calès, and will arrive. For the latter, “it remains to be finished”, assures Jean-Pierre Mas. "There is a lack of changing rooms in particular, we hope to finish by the end of the mandate."

One synthetic for football, another for rugby

Head to the football and rugby fields where clubs jostle at the gate to use them. Each of the disciplines should have its own synthetic field in the coming years. For football, it will replace the current Katona, at La Maladrerie. "It is better exposed, more visible, specifies the elected official. We have also studied the repair of the lower grounds so that they are cleaner." The rugby field will arrive later. "We would like to launch its construction in 2027, announces Jean-Pierre Mas. It will be in place of the Broussou field (the annex lawn, Editor's note). Given its current state, this is no longer possible, the practice has more than doubled in ten years. He will arrive at the very beginning of the next term." At the Sports Park, again, the roof of the main stand will also have to undergo a small facelift and the Tano hall will be entitled to work on its sound insulation.

What about the gymnasiums, in the city of the glove, where slots for associations are as difficult to obtain as a golden ticket to visit Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. First of all, at Puits-de-Calès, an eternal thorn in the side. "We know that we will have to do major work, but we don't know when, explains the elected official. An insurance procedure was launched in 2018 and has continued through the courts since the start of the mandate. We await conclusions."

Three padel courts to come

For the little yellow ball too, change is expected. "In 2025, three padel courts will be built in Millau, announces Jean-Pierre Mas. For the moment, we are not certain about the exact location, discussions are underway." There will also be citizen voting projects, such as the city stadium and the street workout course. "We will also try to do the pump track, adds Jean-Pierre Mas. We will try to pass it off but for the moment, we have no certainty."

The South African delegation expected in Millau

Labeled as a Games land for Paris 2024 and a preparation center, Millau was also a candidate, with Sète and Montpellier, to welcome athletes who will prepare for the Olympic Games. For the moment, discussions have only started with South Africa. A proposal has been made and the local actors in charge of the file are awaiting a response. South Aveyron has targeted para-athletics, indoor climbing, football, rugby sevens, sports shooting, road cycling, cross-country mountain biking and swimming.

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