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A conversion in a league of its own |
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Cap'Découverte is the brainchild of a whole region spearheaded by Paul QUILES, the man behind the ambitious idea of converting the open-pit mine of Carmaux into a leisure emporium.
The financial bases were laid as early as 1995, and in 1997 an International Ideas Competition came up with projects for the Grande Découverte.
In May 1999 a market survey was performed by a group of specialist consultants (KPMG Axe Consultants + ISC + Campus Conseil + Extel). The resulting positive forecasts opened the way for funding by the State and local government. Official confirmation of this support from the public authorities was received in April 2000.
The firm of architects Chaix & Morel et Associés has been the site's prime contractors since July 2000.
Cap'Découverte is the result of an entire region's efforts supported by all the local government bodies involved. |
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Timeline |
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1995
Coal mining officially comes to a definitive halt in June 1997.
The economic redeployment plan is launched.
1996
October : An International Ideas Competition is launched to recycle La Découverte mine.
1997
October : The governing body is founded : Syndicat Intercommunal de la Découverte (SID).
1998
An assistant Project Owner is selected : SCIC Développement (Groupe Caisse des dépôts).
1999
July : State recognition (CIADT Arles) arrives.
April to November 1999 : Economic, legal and financial engineering studies are launched. |
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2000
January : The building site gets its special legal status as a "Zone d'Aménagement Concerté" (ZAC).
Selection of the Architects begins.
May : main subsidies are allocated (national, European).
July : Choice of architects is made (Chaix & Morel et Associés - Onde et Thomas).
October : The Syndicat Mixte pour l'Aménagement de la Découverte (SMAD) is founded .
2001
February : Calls for tenders are sent out.
November : The Association de la Maison du Tourisme de la Découverte is founded as a precursor of the future Tourist Office .
2002
March : The sports centre management body is selected (Transmontagne).
10 August : Preview Opening of Cap'Découverte ; initial activities get organized.
2003
25 June : Official Inauguration ceremony.
18 July : Tour de France 2003 – Arrival of the first individual stage of the Tour (Gaillac-Cap'Découverte).
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Stakeholders |
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Sports Facilities Management
VERTMARINE, a specialist company managing hi-tech tourist sites with operations at several leisure bases, is in charge of managing Cap'Découverte sporting facilities. It is also in charge of ticketing.
Administration
Syndicat Intercommunal de la Découverte
The SID represents the six mining towns of Blaye les Mines, Carmaux, Taix, St Benoît de Carmaux, Le Garric, Blaye les Mines, and manages the site.
Project Owner
Syndicat Mixte pour l'Aménagement de la Découverte
The SMAD is formed by the SID, Conseil Général du Tarn and the Conseil Régional Midi-Pyrénées. It manages investments and builds site infrastructure.
Project Ownership representatives
SCIC Développement, a subsidiary of the Caisse de Dépôt et de Consignations
As the project owner representing the SMAD, SCIC is in charge of screening tenders, work contract management and construction site supervision.
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Finance |
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Total cost of the operation :
(engineering, construction, commissioning of infrastructures and equipment) : € 61.4 M.
Funded by :
Europe 25 %
State 31 %
Local government : 39.5 %(Région, Département, Syndicat Intercommunal de la Découverte)
Real estate proceeds 4.5 %
The SID is expected to reach Financial equilibrium within 3 to 4 years. On a basis of 500,000 visitors a year (50% paying), net operating income covers all loan interest.
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