Vinci chosen for Nice work

A consortium led by Vinci has been declared preferred bidder to design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the 35000-seater Olympic Stadium in Nice, in the south of France.

Nice Eco Stadium (NES) is a consortium led by Vinci Concessions in association with Caisse des Dépôts and SEIEF. The Public Private Partnership (PPP) is preferred bidder for a 30-year contract for an eco-efficient, positive energy stadium with nearly 16000 m² of photovoltaic panels.

Taking what the consortium describes as "a pro-active approach to sustainable development", the stadium has what it claims is the world's largest wooden structure.

The stadium will be designed and built by a consortium comprising Vinci Construction France via its local subsidiaries Dumez Côte d'Azur, GTM TP Côte d'Azur, Triverio Construction and Campenon Bernard Sud Est, and Nice-based companies including Garelli. The consortium will be supported by architect Wilmotte & Associés and consultants IOSIS and EGIS.

The stadium will be operated by NES, with maintenance by Vinci Facilities companies.

The French National Sports Museum, currently in Paris, will be relocated to the Nice sports complex, which is described as the first landmark structure of the Nice Eco Valley scheme, which was declared a Project of National Interest (OIN) in March 2008. It will be one of the first stadiums completed for Euro 2016 - the European Football Championships which will be held in France.