“It doesn’t bother us at all, launches Mireille, whose bay window overlooks this 35 hectare field. I love football, so do my family. “In Vair-sur-Loire, halfway between Nantes and Angers, the plan of Waldemar Kita, president of FC Nantes, to relocate the training center in the town does not go unnoticed. Among the supporters, either . Wind up against this fad of the Canaries boss, some 200 people from all groups of supporters came to Ancenis, this Friday evening, in order to challenge the elected representatives of the community of municipalities of the Pays d’Ancenis. And there are many outstanding questions.
A 35 hectare land sold at cost price
“We are really cramped in La Jonelière, assured Franck Kita, Deputy Managing Director of Les Jaunes, at the beginning of July. We don’t have enough land, we don’t have enough space. That’s all because otherwise, we’re fine here. And I too don’t want to go buy land, I don’t know where, and do some work. I am not crazy. Not completely.“However, a few days later, a first meeting was organized in Vair-sur-Loire between a representative of FC Nantes, the architects of the project gathered around elected officials and residents. But since nothing.
We are keen to see FC Nantes close to us. For us, it is anchored to the territory.
If behind the scenes, the file seems to be at a standstill on the side of the offices of the eight-time champion club of France, he is progressing in the Pays d’Ancenis. “The project is progressing normally, confides Maurice Perrion, president of Compa, this Friday on France Bleu Loire Océan. The sale price of the land which will be recorded in the community office will be at cost price, i.e. a little over two million euros.. “”If it can bring some life to this place, why not“, launches Lucette, daughter of the miller of the Moulin Béziau.”I prefer to have that rather than companies or logistics platforms like Amazon “, adds Jean-Michel, whose house is 100 meters as the crow flies from the field. But not all are of this opinion. Far from there.
The consequences of a move from FC Nantes
In direct proximity to this 35 hectare plot on the edge of the departmental 723 which links Ancenis to Loireauxence, Jean-Claude who bought a property 20 years ago fears a deterioration in his quality of life. “We fear that all this organization creates nuisances, he recalls. It will change the landscape, there could be lighting in the middle of the night. Our peace will be shaken up. “”Ecologically, it’s a disaster“, engages Camille.
It is also one of the major concerns of supporters. Between the ecological cost of such a project and the future back and forth of employees, associations do not hesitate to speak of aberration. “They talk to me about the distance to be covered for employees, retorts Maurice Perrion. I do not understand. What is important is the time, not the distance. “
When we know the situation of the club, it is inconceivable to imagine that such a project which is estimated at 30 million euros will go to the end.
The distance. One of the main topics. “FC Nantes is the heritage of Nantes and its metropolis“, assures Daniel Ollivier, member of the association La Maison Jaune.”We are keen to see FC Nantes close to us, continues Thierry Tissot, president of Activ ‘Nantes Support. For us, it is anchored to the territory […] There are also other subjects that are close to our hearts and that affect the education of young people. What will become of CENS [Centre Educatif Nantais pour Sportifs, ndlr] where do all Nantes athletes go to school? Today, it is not badly funded by FC Nantes, which pays twice as much for a student than others, such as archers. If tomorrow the club were to leave the CENS would have difficulties and all the lesser known sports would have to encounter difficulties.. ”
– Florian Cazzola
A realistic project in the current context?
Faced with economic difficulties with deadweight losses estimated at 40 million euros, like all professional clubs, after the coronavirus pandemic and the absence of ticketing for more than a year, FC Nantes had been forced to revise its ambitions downwards with a budget reduced by 10 millions of euros. “When we know the situation of the club, it is inconceivable to imagine that such a project which is estimated at 30 million euros will go to the end, says Daniel Ollivier. To this must be added all the uncertainties that exist around Waldemar Kita. “The president of the Yellows is in fact under investigation for suspicions of tax evasion today in the hands of an investigating judge.
“We do business with FC Nantes, sweeps the president of the Compa. There were presidents before Waldemar Kita, there will be others after. The goal for us is to find the best compromise. “With conditions precedent to the purchase of the land. The transaction of these 35 hectares will be subject to two main conditions. That only a training center be built on this field. “Another condition is that if after three or three and a half years nothing is done, we take our marbles back, we reimburse and we start again on something else.“, adds Maurice Perrion. Enough to put pressure on Nantes Métropole and maintain the suspense on the real ambitions of the Franco-Pole. Once again.