Meridiam Infrastructure is pleased to announce the successful closing of the Saint-Quentin Vélodrome Project in France. Financial close was achieved on the 17th of December 2009 making Meridiam Infrastructure an 85% shareholder in the project company Velopolis alongside Bouygues, Sodearif and ETDE Facility Management.

This approximately €75 million project was supported by two banks providing senior debt financing with the additional construction financing coming from public subsidies.
 
The Saint-Quentin Vélodrome Project consists of the development, management and maintenance of a Velodrome with a 250 metre-long track (8 metres wide), capacity for 5 000 seats and adapted to the highest international standards. Ancillary facilities include; a restaurant, a temporary polyvalent hall, a parking and a covered BMX track. The site will also house a 35,000m2 zone dedicated to Real Estate development including an Office building, hotel, residences and a leisure centre.

Velopolis will also play a role in the redevelopment of a new 35,000m2  residential zone. The sale and marketing of this new development will be lead by Sodéarif.

"Over and above building the actual velodrome, this operation demonstrates the expertise of the private sector and their ability to work together in a partnership contract to serve local development and neighborhood revitalization policies " commented Thierry Déau, President of Meridiam. "Indeed, in addition to the work for the partnership contract, Vélopolis will be a central player in the urban development of this new city area, in particular through the many complementary activities which can be initiated as a result of building this Olympic sports stadium."

This project marks the first PPP project closed by Meridiam in France.