Olympic skaters had a date at Concorde for the skateboarding events for these Olympics... and for the others, head for La Défense! As part of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, theesplanade at La Défense hosted an ephemeral skatepark, Saint-Gobain Skate Game, from July 18 to August 11, 2024. This skatepark, imagined - as its name suggests - by Saint-Gobain, offers a one-of-a-kind experience for fans of urban board sports, all in a 400 m² space, designed in the shape of a giant pinball machine.
The Saint-Gobain Skate Game stood out for its sustainability and inclusiveness. It comprises eight modules (two launchers, an A-Frame, a Volcano, a Double Volcano and three benches), made using 3D concrete printing at the Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix plant in Eindhoven. The idea? To reduce its ecological footprint, as the process limits the use of raw materials and cuts CO2 emissions, while offering creative flexibility for the design of complex structures.
Saint-Gobain, as an official supporter of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, has collaborated with urban planning specialists and the Pratikable association to create a space accessible to all, including people with disabilities. The facility is designed to accommodate both experienced athletes and beginners wishing to discover skateboarding.
After the Olympic Games, the Saint-Gobain Skate Game is not going away! It is moving to the city of Puteaux, more precisely to theisland of Puteaux, to join the existing infrastructure, thus pursuing its objective of promoting physical activity and sport. Awarded the "Grande Cause Nationale 2024: Bouge 30 minutes chaque jour" (Move 30 minutes every day) label , this project aims to integrate skateboarding into the heart of urban life, while creating links between residents. The inauguration is scheduled for October on theisland of Puteaux.
"The Saint-Gobain Skate Game elements will complement the existing skatepark, which is currently dedicated to BMX. Inaugurated eight years ago, our skatepark lacked modules and ramps for skateboarding. This 500 m2 extension will almost double the surface area of our skatepark", explains the town of Puteaux, as reported in Le Parisien. The installation will take some time to complete, as the town will first have to carry out some landscaping work.
And to continue the experience, the curious walk a few meters further to discover the Saint-Gobain showroom, offering an exhibition around the Olympic Games and the company's involvement in the design of sports equipment, but also and above all the Olympic Village, custom-designed by Saint-Gobain. The showroom is free of charge and will be open until December 20, 2024, from 9am to 1pm and from 4am to 5pm.
Ready to become the king or queen of the slopes?
Prices
Free
Official website
www.saint-gobain.com
More information
Open from 10am to 8pm, at the Bassin Takis on the esplanade.
