The civic consultation organized by the municipality on the future of the Auvare barracks has delivered its verdict. A large majority of participants expressed their support for a large multi-sport hall. Other possibilities also emerged, including green spaces, local amenities, and community spaces.
The site of the Auvare barracks, located in the Saint-Roch district, is soon to be transformed. The 41,000 square meters currently occupied by the national police will be vacated in 2026. The officers will move to the new Hôtel des Polices, currently under construction on the site of the former Saint-Roch hospital.
For the City of Nice, the owner of the site, this liberation represents an opportunity to transform a central part of the urban fabric. It chose to involve residents in this reflection by launching a civic consultation.
From May 6 to August 31, 2025, residents of Nice were invited to give their opinions on the platform JeParticipe.Nice.fr. The goal was to gather expectations and proposals for the future development of this emblematic site. This approach aligns with a stated intention to directly involve the population in major municipal projects.
In total, 870 people participated in this consultation. This number indicates a modest yet significant mobilization for a local urban planning issue. The results reveal clear preferences while allowing for a diversity of ideas.
Sport at the center, but not exclusively
Among participants, 85% expressed support for the project of a large multi-sport hall. The facility, equipped with stands, could host competitions and a variety of activities such as dance, boxing, or martial arts. For the city hall, this direction fits with the perspective of strengthening sports facilities, particularly in the run-up to the 2030 Winter Olympics, for which Nice will host certain events.
However, the consultation did not merely confirm interest in a large-capacity hall. Many citizen contributions highlighted other needs.
Several residents emphasized the creation of facilities dedicated to specific sports: a gymnasium with seating, a badminton complex, a velodrome, or spaces for tennis, paddle, or Basque pelota.
Other proposals focused on nature and community. A park, public gardens, play areas, and wooded sites were frequently mentioned. Green spaces are deemed essential for a dense neighborhood like Saint-Roch.
The issue of accessibility also emerged. Residents desire modern and adapted facilities, accessible to people with reduced mobility and younger individuals. Accessibility by public transport and the presence of bike paths were also mentioned as important conditions for the success of the future project.
Finally, several contributions highlighted the associative and cultural dimension. A community center, multipurpose spaces, and inclusive places were proposed. The idea of a hybrid space combining sports, culture, and dining also resonated with some participants.
Strong expectations in the neighborhood
The consultation revealed strong expectations in the Saint-Roch neighborhood, where residents have been expressing a need for youth-accessible facilities for several years.
Jeanine Costamagna, president of the Saint-Roch Vauban neighborhood committee, recently noted: “The youngest age groups are the most disadvantaged. There is practically nothing for them. There’s the Vauban stadium, and a few gardens… It’s completely insufficient.”
The Nice municipality now holds valuable insights to guide its decision. While the multi-sport hall emerges as the majority project, the contributions collected will allow for wider reflection. The stated goal is to propose a balanced development, combining sports facilities, green spaces, and community areas.
The timeline has yet to be specified. The effective liberation of the site will occur with the departure of the national police in 2026. By then, the municipality will need to refine the project, define a budget, and conduct technical studies.
The transformation of the Auvare barracks promises to be a large-scale project, at the intersection of sports, urban, and social challenges.
