In Geneva, the transformation of the train station district Rapids is entering its final phase after years of work. The first stone of the last building in the metamorphosis of the district, which notably enabled the construction of the Léman Express station and the Nouvelle Comédie, was symbolically laid on Friday.
“This is the last piece of the puzzle for this new district which is truly a piece of the city,” noted Friday Frédérique Perler, magistrate in charge of the department of planning and construction during the ceremony of the laying of the first stone. A major project which completes the metamorphosis of the neighborhood, a joy for Frédérique Perler.
A first since 1992
This building will house a new sports complex including an indoor swimming pool, a sports hall and a climbing hall. “The last time that the City of Geneva inaugurated a sports center on its territory was in 1992,” noted Marie Barbey-Chpuis, magistrate in charge of sports, who is delighted to be able to make up for lost time.
Marie Barbey-Chpuis, magistrate in charge of sports
Above all, this sports center is located in the city center. While Queue d’Arve, Bout-du-Monde and Bois des Frères are on the outskirts of the city, this time the sport takes place in the middle of a dense district of Geneva.
Meet social need
The new building, which will be erected as a continuation of the Nouvelle Comédie, will include 150 housing units spread across six blocks. The whole thing is spread over eleven levels with a footprint of 205 meters by 35 meters. Project owner, the City of Geneva has focused on important public infrastructure in the lower part. It will also serve to create links in a neighborhood where the population is very young. Christina Kitsos, administrative advisor in charge of Social Cohesion.
Christina Kitsos, administrative advisor in charge of Social Cohesion.
After seven months of preparatory work, including decontamination using an innovative process using a mushroom, construction of the foundations of this enormous building began. The work extends over an area of nearly 10,000 m2, on a site which runs alongside the tunnel of the railway station. Rapids where the Léman Express passes.
A credit of 110 million
A socio-cultural center of more than 1000 m2 will offer a multi-purpose room, a space dedicated to youth with music rooms and places for residents of the neighborhood as well as a children’s living space with 108 places. “This new equipment will make it possible to meet the needs of the population which is increasing sharply,” noted Christina Kitsos, in charge of social cohesion and solidarity.
The program also includes a food store opening on the shopping mall at the train station. Rapids, a 500-space bicycle station, a road depot, a civil protection shelter and a 226-space parking lot. Photovoltaic solar power plants will be installed on the roofs. This project from the Municipality obtained a credit of nearly 110 million francs, voted in May 2021. Delivery of the building is scheduled for 2026.
Written with ATS
