Nice Première: Why propose the construction of a new stadium today?
Rudy Salles: Let me remind you that this project has been stalled for nearly five years. Indeed, the first project initiated by the City Hall was a reconstruction on site at the Ray. I opposed it at the time because I considered it had several drawbacks. Firstly, it was meant to replace the current stadium in an already quite saturated neighborhood. This situation has since worsened because, with the construction of the tramway, part of the Gorbella Boulevard is neutralized.
Moreover, this stadium further densified an area that is already very urbanized and would rather need to be “aired out.” Lastly, and this is a major problem, during the construction period, the stadium had to be closed, meaning the O.G.C. Nice would have to relocate to play, posing a problem for the club’s very survival.
I had already intervened at that time with the Mayor of Nice to share my contribution, which was to build the new stadium at the site of the Parc des Sports Charles Ehrmann. But the Mayor responded negatively to me, indicating that the Var plain was a bad idea and the only viable location was the Ray! So be it…
Ultimately, corruption scandals interrupted this project, leading the municipality to turn towards the Var plain. It was then that the City Hall decided to build a new stadium at Saint Isidore, which hit judicial hurdles, and I fear these problems are not over. We find ourselves today “back to square one” without a stadium or a project. That’s why I think it’s normal to make my contribution.
NP: So you propose the construction of a football stadium on the site of the Charles Ehrmann stadium. What are the advantages of this project compared to the one the City Hall had at Saint Isidore?
RS: The advantages are numerous. First of all, we are not starting from scratch but from an existing facility. Indeed, road access and part of the parking already exist. Moreover, this site is much closer to the city center and public transport. Besides the Nice Saint Augustin highway exit, the Charles Ehrmann stadium is very close to the SNCF railway (Saint Augustin station) and especially in immediate proximity to the future multimodal station and the future TGV arrival.
Thus, this stadium can be directly served by the railway and also by the tramway. I add that the airport is also nearby, which represents a significant asset for the organization of international events.
NP: How can you build a stadium at this location when the Nikaïa hall occupies one side of the current Charles Ehrmann stadium, thereby “breaking” its unity?
RS: That was initially a constraint that has become an asset. As you can see in the “photo simulations,” the stadium is constructed in alignment with the Nikaïa hall after the field has been reoriented east-west instead of the current north-south. Let’s not forget that the Nikaïa hall was designed from the start to open onto the Charles Ehrmann stadium to organize mega concerts on the lawn. This concept has been retained and I would say even strengthened, as now, with an opening roof, the stadium can transform into a huge concert hall where all spectators can be sheltered. This would be a first in Europe and therefore a considerable asset for Nice, reinforcing its image as a city capable of hosting major events.
NP: But how can stadium seats be arranged all around the field when the Nikaïa hall occupies one side?
First, the upper stand would be built overhanging the exterior stage of Nikaïa, not hindering the use of the stadium in “concert” configuration. Furthermore, regarding the lower stand that would be in front of the Nikaïa stage, it’s a removable stand that disappears during concerts and is present during football matches. It’s therefore an optimal use of these two facilities, which can function separately or together. It’s somewhat of a “two-in-one” concept applied here.
NP: With this stadium, what happens to athletics?
RS: I strongly support athletics because it is an extremely important activity that must be encouraged. I regret that Nice let go of the Nikaïa athletics meeting, which was taken over by Monaco. Nevertheless, we must provide athletes with facilities worthy of this name. For me, there are two possibilities: either at Saint Isidore or at Nice Nord. The Saint Isidore site, which was supposed to host the stadium, becomes free of all equipment. We can very well imagine setting up sports facilities there. But for me, there’s an even more appealing site as it’s in the city center, which is the Ray stadium location. Indeed, I believe we should take advantage of the opportunity to transfer the stadium to make the Ray a “Nice Nord sports park.”
In a city of nearly 400,000 inhabitants, it would be normal for sports facilities not to be all concentrated in the west but also in other areas. Nice Nord and, why not, tomorrow Nice East should be able to host them. For me, the Ray with its pool on Boulevard Comte de Falicon, its large sports fields, a sports hall, and athletics could thus become a superb sports park. Imagine tomorrow what this site would be without the grey concrete stands and equipped with quality sports facilities. The neighborhood and also the city would greatly benefit.
NP: Let’s return to the new stadium you propose. Can you describe it?
RS: It offers, first of all, 30,000 covered seats, lounges, three restaurants, 500 reserved parking spaces, rooms that can be set up for indoor sports, 17 access ramps, and 12 elevators for people with reduced mobility. It also has 7,500 public parking spaces that can double if the option of an underground level is adopted. Finally, the opening roof offers a double advantage: it allows for mixed use (exterior and interior); but also, and this is a “revolutionary” aspect, the roof can be equipped with solar panels, making this stadium an “ecological” stadium producing its own energy. In our region where sunlight is abundant but solar energy is little used, this initiative seems exemplary to me.
NP: What is the financial estimation?
RS: It is around 35 million euros, which is between one-third and 40% of the stadium’s price planned for Saint Isidore. The savings are significant.
NP: Would you be in favor of a public/private partnership as was envisaged at Saint Isidore?
RS: I have never been in favor of it. I have always said that this principle is interesting for quick execution but uncertain for the long term. Indeed, a private company is there for business. Thus, if the stadium profitability does not meet its expectations, the private company will have an alternative: either organize events in the stadium that may compete with other city facilities (I’m thinking of Nikaïa or Acropolis) with the adverse consequences this may have for them. Or, the private company will turn to the city, asking it to cover deficits, notably with revenue guarantees. Ultimately, it may cost taxpayers more. I add that for me, the city should be able to control its stadium because it’s a major public facility.
NP: But then who would fund this project?
RS: The city, of course, but I believe that given the significance of this facility, partnerships should be formed among several local authorities. The CANCA primarily, since this entity would directly benefit from this facility. But I also think of the General Council because the new stadium will have a departmental, regional, national, and even international dimension. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Region also funds part of this project.
NP: In the pre-election context, don’t you fear that the Mayor of Nice will not follow up on your proposal?
RS: It would be a shame because this project is made available to the city. I hope this proposal will be examined along with others and that the city’s choice is made in total transparency. This is essential because it’s taxpayers’ money at stake. However, if the city of Nice decided to examine it or even to retain it, I would congratulate the Mayor. It’s important to demonstrate objectivity and open-mindedness when the general interest is at stake.
NP: Finally, what name would this stadium bear?
RS: I have proposed “the Aiglons stadium, Charles Ehrmann.” This name has received unanimous support from the OGCNice association. I understood from reading Nice Première that even Madame Peyrat was convinced by this name. So I maintain this designation because I find it corresponds to the symbols of Nice, the club, and the youth of Nice. A name that sounds good. In short, a name that unites.
