Fountain Pré de la Cible - sports centre
Description
Stages 3 and 4 of our walk are somewhat related. They both concern school and sport and more generally the history of buildings linked to the training and physical development of young people. For this third chapter, we can only guess at a modern, functional and square pool at the entrance to the sports complex. It is possible to approach it according to the timetable on the tourist office website, with access reserved for members of sports societies and schoolchildren. History helps us to understand where we are.
The sports complex was completed in 1985 and has delighted all sports lovers - and there are many in Bex - but the main school building - which was raised by one floor in the 1980s - dates back to 1947. It is the result of an era of reconstruction and modernisation of the commune, led by the famous syndic Charles Sollberger, who later became a State Councillor and National Councillor. Later, in the 1960s and 1970s, another figure made his mark: René-Albert Houriet, the director of the schools, of Bernese origin, a highly cultured man who was curious about everything. Even today, many former schoolchildren still talk about the famous picoulets at every school festival in June. The headmaster Houriet would climb the octagonal fountain in the middle of the school square and lead this sort of "duck dance" to the delight of the pupils and teachers. With a bit of nostalgia, the older students even remember that on the edge of this octagonal fountain, there were small metal frogs that must have given the whole thing a proud look, but the frogs have disappeared, as has the fountain. Times have changed. Today, the main building from 1947 has an essentially administrative function and the new school is located at Rue de la Servannaz.
Practical Information
Access times vary. In school periods: Monday to Friday mornings no access. Afternoon: 5pm - 9pm except Wednesday: 1.30pm - 9pm Saturday 9am - 12pm / 1.30pm - 9pm Sunday and public holidays 2pm - 5pm School holidays: Monday to Saturday: 9am - 12pm / 1.30pm - 9pm Sunday: 2pm - 9pm
Stages 3 and 4 of our walk are somewhat related. They both concern school and sport and more generally the history of buildings linked to the training and physical development of young people. For this third chapter, we can only guess at a modern, functional and square pool at the entrance to the sports complex. It is possible to approach it according to the timetable on the tourist office website, with access reserved for members of sports societies and schoolchildren. History helps us to understand where we are.
The sports complex was completed in 1985 and has delighted all sports lovers - and there are many in Bex - but the main school building - which was raised by one floor in the 1980s - dates back to 1947. It is the result of an era of reconstruction and modernisation of the commune, led by the famous syndic Charles Sollberger, who later became a State Councillor and National Councillor. Later, in the 1960s and 1970s, another figure made his mark: René-Albert Houriet, the director of the schools, of Bernese origin, a highly cultured man who was curious about everything. Even today, many former schoolchildren still talk about the famous picoulets at every school festival in June. The headmaster Houriet would climb the octagonal fountain in the middle of the school square and lead this sort of "duck dance" to the delight of the pupils and teachers. With a bit of nostalgia, the older students even remember that on the edge of this octagonal fountain, there were small metal frogs that must have given the whole thing a proud look, but the frogs have disappeared, as has the fountain. Times have changed. Today, the main building from 1947 has an essentially administrative function and the new school is located at Rue de la Servannaz.
Practical Information
Access times vary. In school periods: Monday to Friday mornings no access. Afternoon: 5pm - 9pm except Wednesday: 1.30pm - 9pm Saturday 9am - 12pm / 1.30pm - 9pm Sunday and public holidays 2pm - 5pm School holidays: Monday to Saturday: 9am - 12pm / 1.30pm - 9pm Sunday: 2pm - 9pm