22 Grand-Vennes in Motion

Number of votes:
6,983

1. The project in a nutshell

Our project aims to create an outdoor fitness area adjacent to the basketball court. The goal is also to renovate the existing basketball court in the Grand-Vennes neighborhood, which is currently in poor condition. This new sports area is intended to be modern, dynamic, and accessible to everyone, with the goal of encouraging physical activity, well-being, and intergenerational interactions within the Grand-Vennes neighborhood. 

2. The Project’s Objective

Project for the Grand-Vennes Community: Located in a strategic and highly trafficked area, the sports facility at Grand-Vennes High School features a basketball court and two volleyball courts. However, these facilities are currently difficult to use due to their condition. Indeed, there is a lack of clear markings, missing nets, and a surface that is unsuitable for safe sports activities. This renovation project aims to transform this space into a dynamic and inclusive gathering place for residents, local organizations, and partners we have reached out to, such as the Grand-Vennes Sociocultural Center, the Lausanne School of Social Work (HETSL), the Institution de Plein Soleil, and the Lausanne Nord Academy Sports Club. By renovating this space, it would become a central hub for strengthening community interactions and social bonds in the neighborhood. The variety of facilities offered—a renovated basketball court, a volleyball court, ping-pong tables, street workout areas, and benches—is designed to meet the needs and interests of everyone, regardless of age, ability, or preference. By emphasizing social interaction and equal access, this project would ensure that every user can enjoy these facilities, while reinforcing the values of community and sharing. A safe and modernized space within the neighborhood would also encourage regular physical activity, which is beneficial for residents’ physical and mental well-being. With the support of the Grand-Vennes Sociocultural Center, tailored community initiatives could also be implemented, making it possible to offer inclusive, intergenerational activities in this space. This project would thus aim to address the essential need to develop welcoming, community-oriented spaces within the neighborhood. This redevelopment could have a lasting positive impact on the local quality of life, while helping to strengthen the sense of belonging to a united, dynamic, intergenerational, and intercultural community.

Strengthening Community Ties: By creating a central space where everyone can come together and share moments of camaraderie, this project would promote social cohesion and intergenerational interaction. The venue would also be a space where everyone could progress at their own pace in sports within a respectful and safe environment.

Promoting Health and Well-Being: With free access to modern facilities, this project would encourage residents to adopt more active and healthy lifestyles. By offering a variety of accessible sports opportunities, it can also help improve the overall health of the community.

Response to an expressed need: For many years, residents and various neighborhood associations have been calling for the revitalization of this space, which they feel is underutilized. In response to these expectations, this project aims above all to enhance the entire neighborhood and transform it into a dynamic and welcoming place.

With this initiative, the space would thus become a true hub for inclusion and health promotion. This project to transform the sports field aims to meet current needs while also anticipating the needs of future generations who could also benefit from it. 

3. The Project in Detail

• Creation of an outdoor fitness area and installation of various equipment: The project proposes a comprehensive redesign of the sports area, aimed at meeting the diverse needs of neighborhood residents. Here are the main facilities planned:

  • Outdoor fitness equipment: installation of pull-up bars, strength-training machines, multipurpose cardio stations, and stretching areas, offering a variety of activities suited to all skill levels and fitness goals.

  • Parkour area: Creation of a space designed to facilitate acrobatic movements and dynamic workouts, which are particularly popular among young people, as they are the ones who use this space the most.

  • Children’s area: Development of a space featuring ping-pong tables and age-appropriate structures to encourage playful and athletic activities among the youngest children.

  • “Equip Sport” Connected Lockers: Installation of lockers allowing people to borrow sports and recreational equipment—such as balls or rackets—for free, making these activities accessible to everyone.

  • Benches: Installation of public benches strategically placed to create spaces for rest and socializing around the facilities, with the aim of encouraging everyone to participate in neighborhood life.

  • Renovated sports courts: Upgrading the basketball court and two volleyball courts with clear markings, new equipment, and appropriate surfaces to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for users.

• Renovation of the basketball court: The project prioritizes the renovation of sports fields, particularly the basketball court and the two volleyball courts, which are currently damaged. These improvements include repairing the playing surfaces, adding markings, replacing equipment (hoops and nets), and installing high-performance lighting to ensure safe use in the evening.

• A Truly Inclusive Space: This space would be designed to be accessible and suitable for people of all ages, genders, and physical abilities. The equipment would allow for flexible workouts, suitable for both beginners and experienced athletes. Each individual could thus make the most of this space according to their personal goals, ensuring a fair and enriching athletic experience for everyone.

• A space designed with children in mind: This area would be designed to meet the needs of as many generations as possible, with a focus on renovating the basketball and volleyball courts. These courts would be renovated to ensure safe and appropriate use, particularly for children, who could be introduced to sports in a fun way. In addition to these facilities, a ping-pong table would be installed, offering an alternative for sports and recreation.

• Expected Impact: This project would benefit all residents, particularly young people, families, and anyone who wishes to engage in regular physical activity. By promoting diversity and equal access, this space would become a true driver of health, well-being, and social cohesion. It would strengthen ties within the neighborhood and help make this a place where people of all generations can meet and socialize.

• The 303 Collective: As an independent music label, 303 Records is active within the Grand-Vennes sociocultural center. We still live in the neighborhood and are deeply involved in various local projects, particularly in collaboration with the sociocultural center and local residents. For example, we helped organize one stage for Lausanne’s Fête de la Musique and another for the Caravane des Quartiers. We are committed to this project with sincere dedication, for the benefit of the entire community, of which we are also a part. This project is close to our hearts because the Grand-Vennes neighborhood has always been a source of inspiration for sports and community activities such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, and many other sports. However, we’ve noticed that this space’s potential isn’t being fully realized. It’s unfortunate that a facility like the basketball court isn’t better maintained for residents. Furthermore, alternatives in the immediate vicinity are limited. Residents often have to travel far from the neighborhood—to facilities like those in Praz-Séchaud or the court on Chemin Pierre-de-Plan—to participate in activities such as street workout, basketball, or even table tennis. In the summer, the lack of suitable spaces is particularly acute, and the Grand-Vennes school playground often becomes the only option, even though it is not, as of now, ideally equipped.

  This project is therefore a response to a real need that has long been expressed by the various groups living in the neighborhood. For these reasons, we are convinced that this revitalized space would help strengthen intergenerational bonds and a sense of belonging within the neighborhood, while promoting a healthy lifestyle for all residents.

4. The amount requested to carry out the project

CHF 20,000

• Equipment - Jupiter street workout structure (kbz-shop.com): CHF 9,195.00

• Equipment - Ping-pong table (pingpong-shop.ch): CHF 2,150

• Installations: CHF 8,655.00

5. Neighborhood(s)

Grand-Vennes

6. The Association

Collectif 303