October 2015, Jean-Claude and Florence still remember it. “The bad weather had flooded the residences located along the Grasse road. We could no longer go out, because the water level had risen to more than a meterthey remember. Suffice to say that a rainwater retention basin would have been essential that day.” Nine years later, here it is finally, dug in the loose earth of Square Cerruti, in Antibes: a “hole” with a capacity of 2,800m³, as announced two years ago in our columns (our edition of May 24, 2022). Once the temporary staircase descends to access the hollow belly of the construction, the concrete tunnel impresses with its monumental dimensions. “It’s something”say several visitors, slightly intimidated.
A project almost completed
“The square, with a surface area of 5,000m², will be secure from December 20, the date the pool is put into service”informs Didier Raffi, operations manager. Entirely underground, this reservoir represented a logistical challenge for the workers, who began work in November 2023. “We had to deal with space constraints to build this structure, wedged between the buildings located upstream and the Grasse road belowhe explains. An additional difficulty was linked to a ground made up of fill earth originating from this area, which we re-routed here. A lot of waste, which we had to sort, was found there.”
Water evacuated in small flow
Great efforts have been made to achieve, the district hopes, a result that meets expectations. Didier Raffi seems confident in the effectiveness of the system, which still cost the City and the Sophia Antipolis Urban Community (Casa) no less than €3,200,000 euros, including the renovation of the park (see below). “This is the cost of stopping runoff from the upper part of the Grasse road towards the square, listed in the red flood zone (PPRI)”he reiterates. The stored water will then be redistributed downstream, at a low flow rate. What to convince local residents? No doubt. “At first, we were a little skeptical. Then, as the work progressed, we said to ourselves that the idea was really great”smiles Florence, who is now waiting to see the retention basin in action.
With this new park, the City is continuing its greening policy
Previously, Cerruti Square was best known for its “dilapidation”, its “squats” and its “drug trafficking”. A story that the Antibes town hall hopes to relegate to the past by completely renovating this space to make it a family park. “We are going to integrate a play area, a picnic area and twelve pétanque courts,” announced the mayor, Jean Leonetti, convinced that “good action chases away bad.” The idea of creating a shared garden with composters also emerged during the discussions. New activities which can take place in the shade of the large trees and low vegetation soon to be planted on the 5,000 m² offered by the square.
What about security issues? “The park will be fenced, closed at night, equipped with video surveillance cameras and night lighting,” reassures the town hall.
“A mixed project”
Devices that were previously non-existent on the old land. Enough to relieve Jean-Claude, referent to the Antibes Activities neighborhood council. “I will come back to this place if all the promises are kept,” he confides.
Although the development of the future park is the responsibility of the City, its funding was shared with the agglomeration as part of flood prevention. “It’s a mixed project. It’s been a long time since we had to see Cerruti Square again. The construction of this retention basin was therefore an opportunity to tackle it and kill two birds with one stone,” explains Jean Leonetti. The adjoining car park will also benefit from a renovation, with the creation of four additional spaces, including two for electric vehicles, making fifteen spaces in total. If the schedule is respected, the work should be completed on May 1, 2025.
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