Built on a site of 2,5 hectares, the future Yachting Village should help strengthen a cluster dedicated to refit and maintenance of yachts, super-yachts and mega-yachts. After the foundation stone-laying ceremony last October 30, we met Céline Guigou, in charge of operations at La Ciotat Shipyards.
What is the purpose of the Yachting Village at La Ciotat Shipyards ?
Until now, companies based on the site have all occupied the old historical buildings inherited from the time of the shipbuilding period. LCS Yacthing Village will consist of building brand-new premises in line with companies’ needs and will be able to host workshops, storage of materials, office spaces etc. Selected companies will address various trades (electricity, motorization, hydraulic, carpentry/furniture design, etc.) needed for refit and maintenance works.
What are the technical constraints to this project ?
This project is complex by its very nature, its localization and its environment ! Our first task is to clean up the site and remove 2 very important areas polluted with oils and PCB (Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls) dating from past shipbuilding activities. This which costs €500 000.
Then, we will continue with the earthworks and foundations. Recent geotechnical investigations also revealed poor soil quality, meaning more investments in the foundation systems.
At the request of local authorities, we will also have to assume the collection of rain waters coming from the whole watershed of this part of the city, for an additional cost of €500 000 …
And of course, the entire construction works must keep the disturbance to the immediate neighbourhood at the lowest possible level.
What is La Ciotat Shipyards going to focus on ?
Besides the cost, we will have a closer look at the quality of the buildings : architecture, energy performance (insulation) and we will make sure that it matches companies’ needs.
A special attention will also be given to the quality for work outside the building with the development of green space, more important here than in the rest of the site.
Biodiversity on the site will be taken into account with for example the installation of bird nesting boxes. And last but not least we must the quality of the waste water management system. We are in contact with the Water Agency on this point.
What are your relationships with future companies ?
We hold regular meeting with them in order to integrate their needs as best we can. Companies will be in charge of the interior finishing works. That involvement of third parties makes the project even more complex to manage, but it is the name of the game.
How is the project going ?
We are already fully booked. The first stone was laid on October 30 by officials. The start of the construction phase is scheduled for early 2020.
Do you have an anecdote about the project ?
The future yachting village will be setup at the very location of the ancient city meadows. As a consequence, the historic water spring of the meadows (“Source du Pré”) flows out right in the middle of the project.
In La Ciotat, an old tale says that whoever drinks at the “Source du Pré” has no desire but to stay forever in La Ciotat. A good omen for our future Cluster ?!
