The Bertrand-Dauvin sports center in the 18th arrondissement gets a makeover

Like many Parisian venues ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Bertrand-Dauvin sports center in the 18th arrondissement is being refurbished. New swimming pool, covered tennis courts and renovated gymnasiums, to the delight of local residents.

Residents of the 18th arrondissement and Clignancourt district will soon be able to enjoy a brand-new, state-of-the-art sports center! This major complex isn't just emerging from the ground, since it's the Bertrand-Dauvin center, built in the 1960s and renovated from top to bottom before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Completion is scheduled for the last quarter of 2023, so that next year's modern pentathlon training sessions can be held here, and the legacy of the competition can benefit local residents and athletes.

Do you know who Bertrand Dauvin was? This aviator, after whom the sports center is named, lived in the 1920s and became the world record holder for the longest tandem glider flight. Sadly, he died attempting another record at just 21 years of age. A fitting tribute to this courageous man, as the venue will host a complete discipline, combining swimming, fencing, pistol shooting, running and horse-riding. As you might expect, horse-riding training will not take place in the 18th arrondissement.

What changes for the sports center?

The swimming pool is the main beneficiary of this project, with in-depth refurbishment of the two 25-meter and 12.5-meter pools, as well as refurbishment of the areas used by swimmers. All technical installations have been modernized, enabling energy savings. A false wooden ceiling has been designed to create a more pleasant atmosphere, and an outdoor solarium will welcome swimmers in summer.

The two gymnasiums and the martial arts hall are also getting a facelift, as is the dance hall, with new floors and changing rooms. The athletics track will also be getting a facelift as part of the work scheduled for summer 2023, while the tennis courts have already been completed, and are now fully covered for dry training! Of particular note is theaddition of a grandstand for the soccer pitches.

Reopening scheduled for early January 2024! In addition, four other Parisian facilities have been refurbished for the Olympic Games: Max-Rousié in the 17th arrondissement, for boxing training; Poissonniers in the 18th arrondissement, for 3x3 basketball; Georges-Vallerey in the 20th arrondissement, for marathon swimming and triathlon; and the Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin in the 16th arrondissement, for rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and goalball.