Announcement of a 5-8M Euro project for a new spa in Chamonix
Currently there is a trend in mountain tourism and winter sports towards diversification of resorts' products, and the feedback gathered from visitors is that they want water! With one in two clients coming to Chamonix not taking part in snowsports, the resort is setting its sights on building a new watersports centre and spa, to complement its ageing sports complex and underdeveloped lake.
Last Monday evening Yvonick Plaud, the delegate in charge of development for the local town-hall, presented the outlines of the proposed project. He explained that Chamonix is in competitive proximity to several other spas including Le Fayet, the Pré Saint Didier in the Val d'Aosta (Italy) and the baths of Lavey in Valais (Switzerland). However, there is a perceived requirement to respond to visitor demand as well as creating a year-round reason to visit the resort and softening the image of Chamonix as solely an extreme sports destination. The planned centre would sit behind the existing sports complex and concentrate on well-being and body-care, in contrast to the sports centre's activities and physical recreation. "The service would be geared towards the high end", commented Mr Plaud. The complex would consist of three areas: a recreational area with thermo-aqua pools, Jacuzzi whirlpool baths and another spa area with a sauna steam-room and a third focused on the care of the body, massage, music therapy and such like.
The new area, it is estimated, would cover 700-3000m2 and would cost 5-8M Euros. Initially it is expected that the project will be offered to a private company, although it is likely the municipality will need to contribute funding at a later date.
With regards the lakeside area, there would also be plans for a restaurant. However, there are some other points still under consideration: how to progress the marketing of the 'Chamonix Mont Blanc' brand in a new light, and whether to restore the lake for swimming in.
From the other perspective there were questions raised by Eric Lasserre with regards the environmental impact such a development would have, having to heat the waters given the absence of any geothermal heat-source. In answer to his questions it was pointed out there were plans for new biomass boilers in the existing sports complex. And Christian Mollier questioned the ability to deliver a high-end product in Chamonix given the high levels of water chlorination.
The meeting ended on a more humorous note, when someone pondered if they would be renaming the resort 'Chamonix-Les-Bains', with reference to the naming convention of other well known French spa towns.
