Despite the current context, it is with enthusiasm and ambition that the Dijon open-air skatepark opened this Saturday, December 5.
Invitations to the official inauguration at the end of the morning of Saturday, December 5, 2020 had been limited due to the health context. And at a fortnight of winter, the cold did not spare the practitioners.
That said, they were much more occupied in giving themselves the first sensations, on the street part for the youngest in particular and squarely in the bowl for the more comfortable. The riders were out to “curve”, gain speed and try their hand at the first “tricks”.
On the side of municipal officials, we underlined a symbolic inauguration, before wishing to make it “more beautiful and sunny” in a few months … “It was important to officially mark this opening,” notes Nathalie Koenders. A delighted first assistant who thanked Mayor François Rebsamen for having trusted her from A to Z on this project.
“Expected, complex and participatory”
Alongside Claire Tomaselli, deputy mayor responsible for sports, the elected municipal officer retains three words to describe the outcome of the project: “Expected, complex and participatory” … Sliding: “There are always birds of bad omen that , when a project progresses, distills bad information so that it goes wrong and to pit against each other. Anything that is excessive is insignificant ”. The opportunity also to specify that the earthen football field will remain nearby, “like the bowling alley”.
Today, the Plaine des Sports skatepark is well and truly open, between boulevards Trimolet, Maréchal Lyautey and boulevard Paul Doumer.
“It is a project that does not make noise”, insists Nathalie Koenders. Claire Tomaselli notes: “The associations guided the construction of the skatepark throughout the project”. The participatory aspect is underlined here, knowing that more than 800 practitioners spread over 9 associations can be concerned by such equipment.
“We are already talking about it in Europe”
A common ambition is also expressed. “We will be keen from next summer to host events that are undoubtedly international. We are already talking about this park in Europe, ”says Claire Tomaselli.
According to the municipality: “Dijon, an active and sporting city, strong of its four laurels and designated an Olympic preparation center last October, continues its proactive and ambitious policy for the practice of leisure and high-level sport. This new equipment will set a benchmark in France and propel the regional capital to the forefront of board sports. It will be designed to host national and international events ”.
World champion in roller skating and licensed at AM Sports, Florian Petitcollin quotes the bowls of Prado in Marseille, Marignan, Le Havre… “This one comes to be one of the best”, he says at the edge of the Dijon bowl of 940 m2 and 2.6 meters deep, on a site of which it already measures all the potential: “It is a big plus for the city’s dynamics to have this type of structure. It complements that indoors. It could very well be the place of training for national courses and even for the preparation of competitors for the Olympic Games (first Games in Tokyo in 2021 for skateboarding).
Between the indoor (rue Général Delaborde) and the outside, “we have everything you need to progress”, according to the Dijon rider. With just over 2,000 m2, this open-air skatepark is one of the largest in France.
Place for practitioners of all levels
In addition to competition training, the accessibility of the site stands out. The 1,200 m2 street part, which opened in mid-October, with “softer” slopes and progressive modules, allows practice from the age of 5, or even from three years for basic initiation.
Rollerblading, skateboarding, BMX, scooter… These practices have their place. The same as practitioners of all levels, including people with disabilities for whom street-wheelchair sessions are planned.
“It is a beautiful facility in the heart of the city, in the urban world”, notes Christophe Marot, secretary general of the prefecture of the Côte-d’Or, who in passing welcomes the sports policy of the City of Dijon. Via the National Land Use Planning and Development Fund (FNADT), the State is funding the project up to 455,353 euros, out of a total of 910,706 euros excluding tax.
The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region contributes 124,105 euros. “We come together around the values of riders: creativity, freedom, sharing… We desperately need it,” said Océane Charret-Godard, vice-president of the Regional Council.
Alix berthier
Photos: Alix Berthier
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