Popular French Leisure Center to Close After Summer Due to Financial Losses

Cap'Découverte, a popular leisure center in the Tarn region of France, will close its doors after the summer of 2025. The decision comes after years of financial losses, with the site operating at a deficit for over two decades. Despite attracting 60,000 visitors annually, the costs of maintaining the artificial lake and facilities have proven unsustainable. "The maintenance and operation of Cap'Découverte cost over €400,000 per year, and the local authorities could no longer justify the continued financial burden," explained a spokesperson for the Tarn departmental council. The closure will allow the lake to gradually refill, eventually creating a large reservoir that will help to alleviate water shortages in the region. Local authorities plan to install a large solar farm on the site, generating revenue and contributing to environmental sustainability. While the closure of the leisure center is a blow to the local community, the council believes that the long-term benefits of the revitalization plan outweigh the immediate loss. The upper part of the site, including the hotel and performance hall, will remain open.