IHe stamps his feet, sitting on the sand at the edge of the field, his eye on his comrades from the Beach Volleyball Hope Center who are playing. ” I’m eager to ! », Books Esteban, 17 years old. In a few minutes he will also be able to test the Saint-Martin-de-Ré sand sports arena, a new facility inaugurated this Tuesday, June 25. The structure, located between the Aquaré center and the Les Salières college to which it is attached…
IHe stamps his feet, sitting on the sand at the edge of the field, his eye on his comrades from the Beach Volleyball Hope Center who are playing. ” I’m eager to ! », Books Esteban, 17 years old. In a few minutes he will also be able to test the Saint-Martin-de-Ré sand sports arena, a new facility inaugurated this Tuesday, June 25. The structure, located between the Aquaré center and the Les Salières college to which it is attached, is impressive: approximately 10 meters high for an area of 1,034 square meters on the ground.
The Ré Beach Club and its Beach Volleyball Hope Center, created in 2022, thus add a determining element to their future progress. “To develop performance training, it is essential,” underlines Loïc de Kergert, coach at the club. The first two seasons without this equipment were complicated. » Esteban can attest to this: “in winter there is cold, rain, storms and this equipment will help avoid canceling training, as has happened about twice a month this year. » However, the structure has been designed so as not to stray too far from an external practice. It is a textile membrane that covers the three pitches – there is also a changing room area – allowing natural light to find its way. “We worked to find a beach feel, with large openings on the side. The idea is to feel like you are outside,” adds Guy-Vincent Brel, the architect.
Jean-Christophe Sounalet/SO
It is a textile membrane that covers the structure, in order to let in as much natural light as possible.
570 tonnes of very fine sand were brought by truck from the Temple quarry, in Gironde. For a thickness of 40 centimeters over an area of approximately 850 square meters. “The sand is really good, pleasant and quite soft,” rejoices Esteban. It will benefit the twenty or so young people at the Pôle Espoir but also the beach volleyball section of the college.
Football and frisbee too
“We will be able to bring back competitions every two weeks, all year round,” adds Loïc de Kergert. With tournaments that will welcome teams from all over the country, from Paris to Anglet. » The Academy, a new offshoot of the Ré Beach Club which will see the light of day this 2024-2024 school year, will obviously also be able to take advantage of the arena. Intended for student players wishing to play on the national and international circuit, the Academy is a logical continuation of the Pôle Espoir bringing together middle and high school students. However, volleyball players will not be the only ones to be able to use the equipment. Beach football fans and the ultimate club, Ré Flying Oysters, will also have access to slots. Subject to availability, all stakeholders in the area (leisure center, businesses, etc.) will have the opportunity to use it.
Jean-Christophe Sounalet/SO
Thanks to large side openings – which can be closed – air can circulate. So as not to stray too far from the essence of beach volleyball, an outdoor sport.
Started last October, the construction cost 1.2 million euros excluding tax, 59% of which was covered by the Community of Communes of the Île de Ré, and the rest by the Department. An achievement applauded by Lionel Quillet and Sylvie Marcilly, president of both, during the speeches. Esteban did not hear them, all in his joy at finally setting foot on one of the grounds of this unique facility in the department.
