Centre sportif intercommunal de Sélestat

The Centre sportif intercommunal de Sélestat sits on the site of the old canoeing lake. It opened in the summer of 1981, a standard COSEC structure. A fire in 1988 stripped it back, and the rebuild, followed by a major extension in January 2010 designed by Michel Girold, transformed the building. The capacity swelled to 2,400, though the official numbers for the Salle Germain Spatz part of the complex sit slightly lower, a minor discrepancy in the archives.

This is the home of Sélestat Alsace Handball, a club that has fought its way up the French pyramid. They secured promotion back to the Starligue in June 2025, a result that brought 2,400 spectators into the hall for a playoff match against Caen. The crowd was not just watching a game; they were witnessing a return to the top flight after a stint in the lower tiers. The atmosphere is tight, confined, and loud, quite different from the open-air stadiums found elsewhere in the region.

The venue also plays host to events beyond the handball court. The Karaté Club of Sélestat has trained here since 1986, and the floor has echoed with the sounds of other local sports. In September 2025, the Orchestra of the Republican Guard filled the space, marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Sélestat. These events do not diminish the handball; they simply show that the building is a community asset, used by many. The address, 6 Avenue Adrien Zeller, is a fixed point in the city, but the activity inside is what gives the place its character. It is a functional space, rebuilt and renewed, serving the people who live in its shadow. The relationship between the club and the community is tight-knit, built on shared history and the daily grind of competition.