FFBaD Backs Multi-Racket Vision: The €3 Million Squash des Volcans Project

The landscape of racket sports in the Puy-de-Dôme region is poised for a significant upgrade. The Fédération Française de Badminton (FFBaD) has announced its support for the Squash des Volcans project, a major infrastructure initiative designed to modernize and expand sports facilities in Clermont-Ferrand.

This development is driven by the FFBaD’s PACTE plan, a strategic framework aimed at removing the financial barriers that often stall the creation or renovation of spaces dedicated to badminton and its associated racket disciplines. By providing agile financial solutions, the federation is helping local organizations transition from temporary setups to permanent, high-quality sporting hubs.

Breaking Down the PACTE Plan

The PACTE plan operates as a financial catalyst for territorial development. Rather than a one-size-fits-all grant, the system offers a variety of tools—including subsidies, negotiated loans, cash advances, and guarantees—to ensure projects can get off the ground. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, these “agile solutions” are essentially designed to bridge the gap between a club’s vision and the actual capital required for construction.

The federation has outlined four primary pillars for the PACTE plan’s support:

• New Construction: Funding for the extension or building of entirely new sports facilities.
• Court Implementation: Support for installing complete courts, covering everything from flooring and markings to posts, and nets.
• Practice Improvements: Financing for renovations or the acquisition of new equipment to enhance the athlete’s experience.
• Outdoor Expansion: Facilitating the acquisition of outdoor playing areas.

The Road to Recovery: From HPARK to a New Complex

For the association Squash des Volcans, this project is the culmination of a decade of growth and a recent period of instability. Founded in 2012, the organization has long been a staple for racket sports enthusiasts in the region. However, the association faced a significant setback in 2023 with the closure of the HPARK complex.

To maintain operations and keep their community active, the structure entered a transition phase at Sveltic Squash Auvergne. This temporary arrangement served as a bridge, allowing the association to plan a more sustainable future: the construction of its own dedicated multi-racket complex.

The scale of the new project is ambitious. With a total estimated cost of approximately €3,000,000, the complex will be established in Clermont-Ferrand under a 30-year construction lease. This long-term agreement provides the stability necessary to build a facility that can serve the community for decades.

More Than Just Courts: A Community Hub

Whereas the infrastructure is the headline, the heart of the project remains the Squash des Volcans association. Operating as a Law 1901 non-profit and affiliated with the French Squash Federation, the organization focuses on accessibility and development for all ages.

The association’s mission extends beyond professional competition, offering a comprehensive ecosystem for the sport:

• Youth Development: A dedicated squash school for children.
• Inclusive Learning: Group classes tailored to all skill levels.
• Educational Integration: A training center linked to the “La cité de tous les talents” school program.
• Competitive Excellence: Men’s and women’s teams that compete at a high level.

By integrating educational programs and youth schools, the project ensures that the new facility will not just be a venue for existing players, but a pipeline for new talent in the Puy-de-Dôme area.

The Strategic Shift Toward Multi-Racket Facilities

It may seem unusual for a badminton federation (FFBaD) to spearhead support for a squash-centric project. However, this reflects a broader trend in sports management: the “multi-racket” approach. By supporting facilities that cater to multiple disciplines, federations can maximize the utility of the land and create hubs where players of different racket sports can coexist and cross-train.

This synergy allows for better resource sharing and increases the overall attractiveness of the facility for local municipalities and private investors. In the case of Squash des Volcans, the PACTE plan treats the project as a vital piece of territorial development, ensuring that the region does not lose its sporting momentum following the loss of previous facilities.

The transition from the closure of HPARK to the launch of a €3 million complex marks a pivotal moment for racket sports in central France. With the financial backing of the PACTE plan and the operational experience of the Squash des Volcans association, the project is set to become a benchmark for how federations and local clubs can collaborate to overcome financial hurdles.

The next phase of the project will involve the execution of the construction lease and the commencement of work on the Clermont-Ferrand site. Official updates regarding the opening date are expected as the construction timeline is finalized.

Do you think multi-racket complexes are the future of urban sports development? Let us know in the comments.