After months — if not years — of calls from the National Council to address the Principality’s limited entertainment options for children and teenagers, plans for a new youth leisure centre on the site of the old Prince of Monaco Car Collection in Fontvieille have been unveiled. The centre’s anticipated opening, which will reportedly feature an e-karting track, a bowling alley, and an arcade room, is set for March.

The expansive 5,000sqm space in Fontvieille, which was previously home to the Prince of Monaco’s Car Collection, is set to be transformed into a dynamic youth centre.

The Car Collection occupied the site for nearly three decades before being relocated to a modern underground facility in Port Hercule in 2022. It has been vacant ever since, but now there are plans in action to transform the premises into a unique space for Monaco’s youth and other young visitors.

During the first public session on the 2025 Preliminary Budget at the end of 2024, Minister of State Didier Guillaume confirmed the future of the project.

“The government followed the recommendations of the Commission for the allocation of state-owned premises and selected the multi-activity leisure centre project led by a Monegasque entrepreneur who has also proven himself,” said Guillaume, according to Monaco Matin. “The person concerned has finalised his procedures with state services. He should be able to start the work quickly in order to open the site to the public during the first quarter, which is very good news for our young people.”

The tendering process for this ambitious redevelopment began in July, with an official call for applications published in the Journal de Monaco. After a thorough review, the government selected a project designed by a local businessperson to bring vitality to the area and provide a much-needed hub for entertainment and social activities.

See more: Tenders sought for new youth project at former car museum in Fontvielle

The leisure centre is expected to open in early 2025 and will reportedly house an e-karting track, a bowling alley, and an arcade room, marking a new chapter for the Terrasses de Fontvieille locale. What was once a haven for car enthusiasts will soon become a vibrant space for Monaco’s younger generations.

The only snag may come when renovations begin on the Fontvieille shopping centre, possibly closing the site while work is being done, but as of now, this is speculation only, and no official word on when these works might begin is forthcoming.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.