Français
After four months of construction, the Saint-Jean Stadium was inaugurated on Thursday, October 15. Featuring a state-of-the-art synthetic turf field and a new track and field track, the renovated facility welcomed athletes back as soon as the ceremony ended.
“The closure was worth it.” On October 15, during the inauguration of the Saint-Jean Stadium, Xavier Ledée summed up the culmination of several months of construction in just a few words. The president praised the investment made (two million euros) for this renovation as well as the oversight provided by the Collectivité’s technical services. He also emphasized the importance of having suitable infrastructure for sports clubs and their members. According to him, the stadium’s renovation represents a way to offer “a genuine sports program in Saint-Barth.”
In the center of the stadium, the new synthetic turf is drawing initial reactions. “The turf feels great—it’s like walking on a cloud,” say Zélie and Matty, two young members of the track and field club. The two athletes also appreciate the track: “You really feel the cushioning on the track.”
On the rugby side, Marley, a young member of the Les Barracudas club, is also pleased with the new surface. “The turf is very comfortable; when you tackle and fall onto the grass, it doesn’t prick you,” he explains.
An Athletics Track That Stands Out
It’s one of the most noticeable changes at the Saint-Jean stadium: the track has ditched the traditional rust color for a sandy hue that certainly stands out. At first glance, the surface may also come as a surprise. Far from the usual appearance of track and field tracks, its finish and texture reflect a specific technical choice.
As explained by a technical services manager present at the inauguration, this is not a poured resin but an adhesive-bonded surface. This process, selected for its shock-absorbing qualities, has also been approved by the International Association of Athletics Federations, according to information provided by the technical services.
Christian Onier, an athletics coach with the Esprit Athlé Saint-Barth sports association, who was consulted by the Territorial Collectivity regarding the choice of materials, played a key role in the discussions about the track’s surface and color. “This stadium is a great achievement, a wonderful facility for training,” he said.
Another detail visible on the day of the inauguration: the lines marking the lanes had not yet been painted. The markings are scheduled to be applied soon, the final step before the track can be fully used in its final configuration.
A State-of-the-Art Turf
The installed turf is based on a technology called “Happy Future,” described as a state-of-the-art synthetic surface. It was installed by Art Dan, a company specializing in sports fields (JSB No. 1671). As a technical services manager explained during the inauguration, this technology has been used at leading sports facilities, including those of Real Madrid and Olympique de Marseille.
Work began in June 2026 and required a budget of approximately two million euros, divided equally between the synthetic turf and the track.
Young Athletes Return to Their Field
Following the speeches, the first training sessions took place at the stadium immediately after the inauguration. As soon as the ceremony ended, the clubs took to the field for their first on-site training sessions.
The evening continued in a friendly atmosphere. Around 6:30 p.m., refreshments were served to the young athletes after their training sessions, while game workshops were organized to extend this moment of reunion.
