VINCI signs the partnership contract for the Dunkirk Arena

26 October 2012 - New contracts - France

- France's first "new generation" Arena
- A partnership contract spanning more than 27 years
- A total investment of €112.4 million

VINCI Concessions has just signed the partnership contract with the Communauté Urbaine de Dunkerque (Dunkirk urban community) to build and operate the Dunkerque Arena stadium. The signing was attended by Michel Delebarre, Senator-Mayor of Dunkirk and President of the Dunkirk Urban Community, and Xavier Huillard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VINCI.

The 332-month partnership contract covers design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the Arena. It will have two halls with a combined seating capacity of 10,700 as well as VIP seats, boxes and walkways serving the stands and the shopping and reception areas. Contributing to the development of its two clubs, the USDK handball club and the BCM Gravelines Dunkirk basketball club, the Arena will symbolise local sports prowess and serve as a new entertainment and culture venue for the city of Dunkirk and the surrounding region. It is scheduled for handover in time for the 2015 basketball and handball season.

Design and construction of the Arena, expected to take 36 months, will be carried out by VINCI Construction France through its subsidiaries ADIM Nord Picardie, SOGEA CARONI and DUMEZ EPS, in association with local SMEs. Architectural input will be provided by Chabanne & Partenaires, in partnership with AvantPropos and AB+Architectes.

Upkeep and maintenance will be entrusted to VINCI Facilities.

Commercial operation of the Arena, including facilities management and sporting fixture / events programming, will be handled by the Société Dunkerque Arena (SDA) company, which will be remunerated via an annual fee paid by the CUD.

The Dunkirk Arena will thus join the network of stadiums operated by VINCI Stadium, a VINCI Concessions division, which develops business expertise in a new model of stadium and arena operation.

The project accounts for a total investment of €112.4 million, to be financed via
- an initial CUD contribution of €37 million (of which €10 million as an advance payment of the fee)
- an SDA equity contribution of €6 million
- bank financing amounting to €69.4 million


VINCI Concessions is a major player in sports infrastructure with several prestigious references: the Stade de France in Saint Denis since 1998, the MMArena in Le Mans since 2008, and more recently the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice and the New Bordeaux Stadium.

 

About VINCI
VINCI is a global player in concessions, energy and construction, employing 280,000 people in more than 120 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, we are committed to operating in an environmentally, socially responsible and ethical manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. Based on that approach, VINCI’s ambition is to create long-term value for its customers, shareholders, employees, partners and society in general.