“We don’t want to do Disneyland in Caïx”: the water ski lift project divides in Luzech

A project that divides. A water ski lift, for practicing wakeboarding, could soon see the light of day at the Caïx nautical base, in Luzech. It would be the first in France to be on a river, and not on a body of water. An installation that is not to please everyone. “There are things to do in the area, but for the residents. There, it’s a disproportionate project, it will attract mass tourism,” regrets this Luzechois, member of the “L’appel de la forêt” collective. , who opposes the project.

Behind this initiative, three actors: the Luzech town hall, owner of the base, the community of municipalities and finally the Ecolot company. Financial amount? Six million euros. In addition to the water ski lift, the entire base will be renovated. The restaurant, which no longer meets standards, needs to be completely rehabilitated. The campsite will also be getting a facelift. The private company puts 4.5 million euros on the table, the town hall 1.5 million for the restaurant and finally the community of communes, 1 million, notably for the parking lot and the banks.

“We are a rural area which is losing its young people. We need to make them stay. It is a real opportunity for the city. It will restore the attractiveness of this site, which deserves to be highlighted”, says Bernard Piaser, mayor without label of Luzech. The Ecolot company continues: “we have to think about people, businesses, young people… Local children could come and practice this sport, which is usually not within their reach. It is a project made by and for the territory. For 30 years, there was nothing on the base, only bandages. So, it takes colossal resources to renovate it. But, obviously, we don't want to create Disneyland in Caïx.

“Only intended for tourism”

Two associations, “The Call of the Forest” and “the Association of Friends of Caïx”, are up in arms against this ski lift project. “We are initially worried for environmental reasons. The LPO has issued an opinion estimating that there are seven protected species on site, including the red kite. The first river ski lift in France, why not, but it is on a classified area”, affirms the Luzechois. And above all, he denounces a project not adapted to citizens. “It's only intended for tourism. The inhabitants of Luzech, they will go on the ski lift once, and that's it. It won't benefit them,” he whispers. Another worry: the prospect of seeing eight concrete pylons, each weighing two tonnes and 12 meters high, being erected on either side of the banks of the Lot. “These will be in the poplars, we won’t even see them,” says the mayor of the town.

So many reasons which pushed the associations to send an appeal to the Dreal (Regional Directorate of Environment, Planning and Housing) at the beginning of September. “We integrated the elements of the LPO. But also the fact that the PLUi (Local Intercommunal Urban Planning Plan) does not authorize the project and that the architect of the buildings of France requests that the pylons be dismantled after each season But Ecolot never talks about that,” continues the activist. But on October 16, Dreal rejected this appeal on the grounds that “the elements provided are not likely to modify the exemption decision which was rendered”.

The member of the collective concludes: “We have a global vision. Because in addition to this project, Ecolot is planning a renovation of the town center of Luzech and a wine golf course in Albas. It's really too much.” If state services are not against it, the water ski lift should see the light of day by the 2026 season.