Study credit for the construction of the new ice rink at Trèfle-Blanc
The Council of State has adopted, for submission to the Grand Council, a draft law opening a study credit of 11.7 million francs for the construction of a new ice rink at Trèfle-Blanc, in Lancy. The Vernets ice rink was built in 1954 and houses the Genève-Servette Hockey Club (GSHC) as well as the Association Genève Futur Hockey (AGFH). Despite two partial renovations in 2008 and 2011, it no longer meets the standards imposed by the Swiss Ice Hockey League. At the same time, the number of ice surfaces is insufficient in Geneva. The canton of Geneva has one ice rink for approximately 80,000 inhabitants, whereas the national average is one ice rink per 40,000 inhabitants.
The construction of a new ice rink is therefore essential, not only for the activities of the GSHC and the AGFH, but also to meet the growing demand and need for ice surfaces, in order to promote physical and sporting activity, particularly among young people.
At the beginning of 2019, the canton took over the management and coordination of the new Trèfle-Blanc ice rink project. As part of the steering committee’s work, the selected capacity for the new ice rink is 8,500 seats, a scale that places the Geneva project in line with the average of arenas used in the National League.
The planning of eight rows of retractable stands combined with truck access onto the playing surface makes it possible to envisage a wide range of sporting events. An adjacent secondary ice rink will allow for broader use by schools, local clubs and the general public.
At the same time, as part of the development of parking capacity for commuters by the Fondation des Parkings, the construction of a P+R facility with 1,200 spaces has been planned beneath the main ice rink and will also benefit spectators during events. Likewise, 24,000 m² of activity space are planned on the site and will be defined following the architectural competition. These will be developed by private investors and will be subject to long-term leasehold rights (DDP), the rent from which will contribute to the operation of the infrastructure.
The amount of the study credit is calculated on the basis of the estimated cost of the ice rink project, set at 150 million francs, and is included within this amount.
For any additional information: Mr. Thierry Apothéloz, State Councillor, by contacting Mr. Henri Della Casa, Deputy Secretary General in charge of communication, DCS, T. 022 546 54 32, or Mr. Serge Dal Busco, President of the Council of State, by contacting Mr. Roland Godel, spokesperson, DI, T. 022 327 96 11.
