Energy-efficient Holcim roof crowns French ice rink

Valenciennes Métropole sports ice rink or “Valigloo” is more than just a skating rink. Spanning 2 500 m², the facility is a major community hub for local hockey and figure skating in northern France that was recently renovated with a high-performance Holcim roofing system.

Spanning two distinct areas – a 700 m² recreational rink and an 1,800 m² Olympic-sized arena – the ice rink requires careful thermal control and absolute waterproofing. To ensure the venue built in 2008 was fit for the future and its 180 000 users every year, Valenciennes Métropole decided to renovate its 8,000 m² roof to ensure energy efficiency and resilience.

To meet these requirements, Holcim was chosen to supply a complete roofing system. Featuring a vapor barrier and high-performance thermal insulation, the roof is crowned by an Elevate UltraPly TPO thermoplastic waterproofing membrane that “seals” the building.

A resilient, tailor-made roofing system

Valigloo presented a challenge with its complex, curved geometry, a "dolphin-shaped” structure that required a flexible membrane solution. 1.5 mm Elevate UltraPly TPO membrane sheets were fused together with hot-welded seams then mechanically attached – to create a single continuous sheet preventing leaks over the moisture-sensitive indoor ice environment.

Designed for decades of performance, this resilient solution reduces the need for frequent repairs, extending the lifespan of this large-scale regional sports venue.

Designed for optimal energy-efficiency

In an ice rink, the need for constant floor cooling creates a lot of heat, so the building, crowned by its new energy efficient roof, is designed to optimize energy loops. The new reflective light grey roof stops solar heat gain for better thermal regulation, while advanced roofing insulation keeps cool air inside the ice rink – unlocking significant energy savings for cooling.

Energy-efficient and resilient projects such as Valigloo show how Holcim’s sustainable building solutions can be used for the cost-efficient repair and refurbishment of existing Building Icons, as well as for new projects – as we shape NextGen cities worldwide.