In the end, it will not be judo that will be set up under the huge Villebon dome, but a vast space for climbing, tree climbing, bowling, electric karting, virtual reality, laser tag, etc. The project of the French Judo Federation, FFJDA, owner of the premises, to transform the site into a national judo training center was abandoned in 2021 by the new management team of the federation. The latter considered the project far too expensive for its finances. The health crisis has taken away the last hesitations. The federation finally decided to sell the premises to the Réalités group, selected following a call for projects. A long consultation phase then began with the town of Villebon and the urban community to define precise specifications. The Grand Dôme, the third largest covered hall in Île-de-France, with 8,000 square meters, is located in the immediate vicinity of the Courtabeuf business area and near the Saclay plateau.
Relaxation sports area
It is expected that the Réalités group, via its sport and leisure subsidiary UP2Play, will rehabilitate the facility before transforming it into a vast living space dedicated to sport and relaxation. “We are very happy with this outcome. The project presented makes it possible to preserve the integrity of the large dome and even to sublimate it. This is good news for the judo federation and also for the territory”, underlines David Inquel, vice-president of the executive committee of the FFJDA in charge of communication and partnerships. The land available around the Grand Dôme will be the subject of work to accommodate offices in particular. In total, more than 46,000 m² (including the 10,000 of the Grand Dôme) will be developed.
New start
According to the Réalités group, the footprint of the buildings will be limited to 28,800 m² “in a logic of respect for the environment and maintenance of existing green spaces”. 33% of open ground spaces must be preserved and 6,000 m2 of shaped landscaped ponds. The parking lots must be made of permeable surfaces in order to promote the recovery of rainwater. The entire operation represents an investment of 70 million euros.
The solution proposed by the Réalités group comes to close long years of uncertainty for the equipment. Built in 1994 to host the “Francophonie Games”, which never took place, the equipment never really found its place on the territory. It then hosted several major sports competitions, but without achieving financial equilibrium. Next step: the judo federation is preparing to sign a sales agreement with the Réalités group. The sale itself is subject to conditions precedent, in particular the modification of the town’s local urban plan.
