LThe building is now out of water and out of air. The screeds are completed, most of the partitions are installed. And the boilers are in place. “This is an investment that the City of Anglet has never made in its history.” This Monday, December 9, Claude Olive is proud to offer a visit to the future El Hogar aquatic center, the construction site of which has progressed well and “will be delivered on time”. Exit the 1970s swimming pool which, to ensure continuity of service, will not be destroyed before the inauguration of its replacement, a modern XXL version integrated into the urban landscape. All for 26 million euros (1).
Until now, users had a single 25-meter pool, divided into four water lines. From the start of the 2025-2026 school year, “in August or September”, they will discover three pools: the sports pool, 25 meters long, with its six water lines, the learning pool, 180 m², and the pool outdoor Nordic swimsuit, 25 meters long and equipped with four water lines. Without forgetting the paddling pool for toddlers.
Swimming first
“This brings the surface area of the body of water from 240 to 800 m²,” announces the councilor. Instead of 16,500 school visits, we will have 36,000. There will be 115 sessions offered to students during their schooling, compared to 46 until now. And 16,500 swimming lessons instead of 9,500.” Here, there are no diving boards, slides and other jacuzzis. Because the City's priority remains the promotion of swimming. “This complex will be in line with the expectations of the population,” relishes Claude Olive. It was sorely lacking in our town of 40,000 inhabitants. »
Workers are dressing the facades of the future aquatic center.
Bertrand Lapègue / « SO »
It will take nearly 20 agents and no longer six to ensure the functioning of this larger and more open place. The associations will have shared offices (2) and six split changing rooms, while the individual changing rooms dedicated to the general public will be more numerous and functional. Despite the dimensions of the new building, parking spaces will be “more numerous”, adds the mayor. As for prices, they should only “slightly increase”: “This will be defined with the public service delegate. Negotiations are underway. »
Virtuous building
Designed by the Montpellier agency Coste architectures and built by Eiffage construction Sud Aquitaine, this complex also aims to be virtuous. “It will produce 72% renewable energy,” underlines Serge Lagaronne, the regional director of Eiffage. It will be a mix with wood boiler, pellets, photovoltaic panels and heat pump. » In other words, the farewell to gas is complete. Make way for the “High environmental quality” building, where insulation will be ensured in particular by a green roof and temperature regulation by sunshades.
Bertrand Lapègue / « SO »
Particular care is taken in the creation of individual and collective changing rooms.
“For the covering of the swimming pools, we preferred stainless steel to tiling for the sake of durability,” continues Claude Olive. The choice of white will offer better visibility to lifeguards. » Still in the safety department, the outdoor pool will be equipped with a roller shutter to avoid possible nighttime accidents, but also to maintain the water temperature, since this heated pool will be open all year round, like the indoor pools.
This aquatic center now awaits the general public (the outdoor pool faces due south, for sunbathing enthusiasts), schools and associations, with future attendance estimated at 180,000 annual visits… Without forgetting a “much awaited” new feature: departmental swimming competitions, in front of stands with 200 seats.
(1) In addition to the City's participation (equity and loan), 6.3 million euros in subsidies are added: Agglomeration (3.6 million euros), Departmental (1 million euros), Region (1.5 million euros) and Europe (200,000 euros).
(2) Swimming, triathlon and kayaking clubs, as well as Angloys Swimming Guides, will benefit.
Clever
If the current building must be razed, the current pool will be preserved at the end of the work. Objective: to transform it into a rainwater retention and storage basin. This will be used to water all the green spaces bordering the complex. In particular the palm trees, which will be moved.
