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Rehabilitation of the Lonay sports and leisure centre: making different uses coexist

ID card

  • Project name: Lonay Sports and Leisure Centre

  • Location city/canton: Lonay, canton of Vaud

  • Project type: Public space

  • Project start date: 2013

  • Delivery date: 2018

  • AMEX project area: 33,500 m2

  • SIA phases: 31 to 53 according to SIA105

  • Lead architect: Brodard and Billiaert architects

  • Partner company: Nicolas Fehlmann Consulting Engineers SA

The mission

✔️ Integrate the sports and leisure hub into a residential context.

✔️ Ensure the harmonious coexistence of different sporting uses.

✔️ Questioning initial uses in order to propose a new arrangement.

✔️ Take advantage of the topography to play with the differences in levels.

The brief

This sports and leisure complex restructuring project is located in Lonay, in the canton of Vaud. The complex includes a wide range of facilities, including football, tennis, pétanque, running, long jump, and a multi-sports hall. As the existing facilities, such as the refreshment stand and changing rooms, were aging, the municipality initially contacted our firm to reassess the feasibility of a complete overhaul.

During this initial phase, we identified the needs of the various stakeholders (sports clubs, associations, schools, etc.) and conducted a site assessment to propose a comprehensive plan for the future of the sports and leisure area, taking into account the complex topography. Impressed by our proposal, the municipality launched a call for tenders, to which we responded as part of a consortium. Our early involvement in defining the project's vision certainly contributed to our securing this second mandate.

Transforming an aging sports and leisure area into a dynamic meeting place

With the exception of the multi-sports building, the entire sports area has been completely redesigned and redeveloped.

One of the needs of the municipality of Lonay was to maintain two football pitches. These two grass pitches were subject to the vagaries of the weather. We proposed replacing one of the pitches with synthetic turf to allow for more intensive use throughout the year, while also revising the dimensions to meet the standards of the Swiss Football Association. The two tennis courts were also renovated to provide a more suitable playing surface, while reducing maintenance requirements. The pétanque area has a dedicated space that can be expanded as needed to host large-scale tournaments.

In addition to these sports facilities, a grassy, ​​open-use area has been created with a reinforced surface to host various community events and activities. Connecting these different uses, the refreshment stand is located at the heart of the project, offering panoramic views of the lake and the Alps.

The idea is to create a green screen around the site to promote the integration of the sports complex into the landscape. Numerous trees have been planted around the perimeter, particularly on the northern side bordering a residential area of ​​villas. Embankments, meadows, and wooded areas complete the plant palette and contribute to providing shade for the children's play areas.

Regarding mobility, the crucial challenge for this type of project lies in managing parking spaces and accessibility for people with reduced mobility. During sporting events, the complex must be able to facilitate and streamline vehicle traffic. Parking areas have been created behind the main building and along the road to the southwest to minimize the impact on the surrounding residential neighborhoods.

A tiered sports complex in the landscape

To accommodate the topographical constraints, the sports area is divided into two levels, connected at various points. The roof of the building housing the changing rooms, community halls, and rooms for associations becomes a promontory with views of the lake and the Alps. The refreshment stand is naturally situated there, connecting the lower and upper levels. This terrace extends into a promenade punctuated by planted areas and relaxation spaces. A concrete tier connects the grass football pitch above to the synthetic pitch below. All the spaces were designed as a series of levels, which wasn't easy at the time, as BIM didn't yet exist! We had to draw all the sections to meticulously adjust these changes in level.

To allow different uses to coexist within the same sports area

The main challenge of this project is to bring together diverse uses, offering great versatility. The multitude of stakeholders (municipality, sports clubs, associations, schools, local residents, etc.) necessitates identifying the needs and expectations of each, in order to successfully integrate them harmoniously within the same area. In addition to a variety of sports facilities, spaces for young people stand alongside community meeting rooms, creating a unique mix of activities and usage patterns. The strength of this project lies in its integration of seemingly disparate uses, resulting in a coexistence that ultimately functions without conflict.

A unique design to meet the challenges of a popular leisure area

The renovation of the Lonay sports complex stands out for its ability to meet the diverse needs of club members. Its unique feature? The commissioning of a synthetic football pitch during the construction phase, with all the associated safety and public accessibility challenges. The phased implementation of the facilities resulted in a rather unusual construction timeline. A challenge for the project managers, but a real added value for users of the facilities and residents of Lonay.
“What I really like about this project is that we managed to ensure that all these overlapping uses do not conflict and work in harmony.”
F. Christophe
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