Construction work has been under way for two years at the entrance to Mondorf-les-Bains, right next to the Saar motorway. The project, centred on Luxembourg’s first velodrome, is steadily taking shape. But by 2029, it will be far more than a 250-metre cycling track: the site will become a full sports complex, including facilities for leisure activities and school sports.
Local officials share that the project is much more ambitious than just building a velodrome. Steve Reckel, the mayor of Mondorf-les-Bains, emphasised that there is a lot more to it than a 250-metre cycling track. The construction of the new secondary school in Mondorf-les-Bains with 1,600 pupils will require sports facilities, which the project, including its in-field where other sports can be played, a swimming pool, a sports hall, and a climbing wall, will offer.
The architect in charge, Shahram Agaajani, also emphasises that the project was always intended to be more than a cycling venue. He describes it as an ecosystem, a space designed for multiple forms of interaction, from sports to catering and commerce, explaining that there will be, in fact, several buildings inside one building.
In this way, the construction by default reduces its environmental footprint, requiring fewer resources, less upkeep and lower maintenance. Moreover, given that the planned school will be just next door, there will be no need to build a separate pool or sports hall for that.
Aerial images reveal the scale of the development: the entire site covers 28,000 square metres, with the velodrome and its 1,500-seat capacity occupying only about 10,000 of those.
Sport Minister Martine Hansen, visibly enthusiastic about the project, underlines its importance for the wider community, stating that this facility allows children to have proper training and get the real feeling of being on a bike. She underlined that the project is progressing well, and that the opening is expected to take place in 2028,” the minister said.
However, rising costs have also been a topic of discussion: the project, originally budgeted at around €64 million, is now set to cost €34 million more. Hansen explained that the increase is due to rising construction costs and the need for additional measures to meet various regulations, including accessibility for people with reduced mobility, as well as new requirements from the International Cycling Union.
The design has also been adjusted to ensure proper interaction between the velodrome and the future school’s sports hall. Officials are confident the investment will benefit the whole of society.
Mayor Reckel highlighted the swimming pool as an example of the wider impact, as it allows pupils to have their swimming lessons in Mondorf-les-Bains instead of having to travel to swimming pools in neighbouring villages and towns.
The complex, which will be used by everyone from primary and secondary school pupils to the cycling federation and local amateur athletes, is expected to be well utilised once it opens.
The facilities will most certainly not be underused, according to project leaders.
