The gale, accompanied by heavy rain, lasted only a few minutes, but it was violent, according to witnesses. These gusts are at the origin of the incident which occurred this Sunday, December 22, around 3 p.m., at the Palais des Sports in Dreux, an hour before the USDVHB (Union Sportive Dreux Vernouillet Handball) match against the the Mulhouse team (ASPTT Mulhouse-Rixheim). A piece of sheet metal fell from the ceiling. If no person was injured, the managers concerned, in agreement with the elected official, canceled the match.
The roof under renovation
As the roof of the Palais des Sports is currently undergoing renovation work, the equipment serving as a light well (skydome) has been removed to be replaced. “To avoid any risk of water flowing into the room through the roof and to guarantee good insulation, these holes were replaced by temporary protection, a sort of piece of sheet metal attached to the roof,” explains Alain Guenzi, municipal councilor. , in charge of sports.
At the time of the gust, the whole thing flew away and a good-sized sheet of metal fell into the room where the handball match was to be held.
The players were going in for the warm-up
The players did not leave the locker room and had to abandon their match. “They were going to enter the room for the warm-up,” said a spectator. Alain Guenzi adds that the company responsible for the work will be on site within a few days, perhaps “as early as Monday December 23”.
Two deputy mayors, Mounir Chakkar and Sophie Willemin, supported by the Palais des Sports staff, insulated the parquet floor by deploying large protective mats.
An administrative appeal could be initiated
Firefighters intervened to inspect the roof and secure the entire area. An administrative appeal could be initiated by the municipality “for the financial damage suffered by the invited team”, adds Alain Guenzi. And to specify that, during the holidays, no activities take place at the Palais des Sports.
“Until now, only the gymnasium and the three small rooms on the upper floor were occupied. After the holidays, when the work is done on these rooms, they will be inaccessible, just like the large room This space was accessible on weekends when no company was involved.”
