Reconstruction of the Cesson-Sévigné whitewater stadium (35)

The Cesson-Sévigné whitewater stadium was built in 1997 by EDF on a discharge channel of the Vilaine River. The ageing facility required rehabilitation works to bring it up to the standards required for international competitions and training.
The stadium comprised an initiation area and an approximately 100 m “sports river”. The redevelopment of the stadium was based on the existing structures, while incorporating adaptations and additional equipment.
An additional 120 linear metres of adjustable river in “competition” format were therefore added, and the pumping station was expanded from 6 to 12 m3/s to enable operation independently of the Vilaine River flows. The operation by gravity, supplying the former stadium through the roof sluice gate, remained unchanged (from 2 to 10 m3/s). Mobile obstacles (Omniflots®) were also added to the equipment, providing a wider range of configurations depending on the users (beginners, athletes, etc.).
By preserving the banks and trees along the Vilaine River and installing numerous paths crossing the facility (for bicycles and pedestrians), the new basin is fully integrated into the urban landscape.