The Bugey-Sud community of communes celebrated the official inauguration of the Bugey-Sud Nautical Center in Belley on Friday, October 2, 2026, following two years of renovation. The ceremony was attended by Pauline Godet, president of the community of communes, elected officials, project partners, construction companies, and contributors.
Originally built in 1980, the center had reached its limits after 45 years of operation, suffering from significant heat loss, high energy and water consumption, and aging equipment. A comprehensive rehabilitation was undertaken to give it a new life while preserving its structure and location in the heart of Belley.
Attendees were able to discover the renovated nautical center through guided tours led by the architects, who presented the architectural choices, new spaces, and transformation stages. Pauline Godet spoke about the community's decisions, alongside Jean-Yves Hedon, representing the president of the Department of Ain, and Christophe Duverne, sub-prefect of Belley.
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic ribbon-cutting, marking a new chapter for the nautical center, followed by a convivial reception. Closed to the public since July 2024, the 24-month construction project cost 12.75 million euros. The project received approximately 1.1 million euros in subsidies from sources including the National Sports Agency, the State, the Department of Ain, and ADEME.
The renovation focused on preserving existing elements and reusing materials, notably incorporating 20 m³ of wood from old changing rooms into the facade's moucharabieh and acoustic ceilings. The strong environmental ambition aims to reduce energy and water consumption by 31% each, and to cover 73% of heating needs with renewable energy, utilizing 270 m² of hybrid solar panels, wastewater heat recovery, and heat pumps.
The official opening to the general public is scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2026.
