On the grounds of the former Elie Gibbs school, in the heart of Grand CaseThe Collectivity of Saint-Martin laid the foundation stone of a project shelved since 2019 : the House of AssociationsA symbolic gesture that marks the rebirth of a historic place and recalls the Community's commitment to local life.
A project with significant heritage and social value
With a overall cost of 4.067.612€This project benefits from a solid financial arrangement: 49% via the Exceptional Investment Fund of the State, 2,4% via the local investment support grant (DSIL), 24% from the ERDF and 24,6% from self-financing by the local authority.
Semsamar is responsible for the delegated project management., while the design was entrusted to a group of architects composed of Antistatik (Clara Brander) and Wia Architecture (Céline Dherbomez).
The site, located at the intersection of Léonel Bertin Maurice Boulevard and Écoles Streetwill be completely renovated. The small adjoining building will be demolished, while the blue house will be rehabilitated according to an architecture respectful of the Saint-Martin codes.
The House of Associations will house spaces dedicated to territorial structures : the Neighborhood council no. 3a ticket window FranceServicesthe territorial police and the tourist office, each with functional and accessible premises.
An open, vibrant place rooted in heritage
The architectural project includes a a large landscaped forecourt and a through entrance opening onto an airy patio. Upstairs, a traditional gallery will be reminiscent of the old wooden buildings typical of the north of the island.
The ground floor will house meeting, exhibition, and training rooms for associations, as well as a space for cultural expression and a tourist office kiosk. public toiletsTechnical facilities and an elevator for people with reduced mobility are also planned.
The whole will be structured around a natural circulation, taking advantage of the trade winds' ventilation, with a tree-lined courtyard conducive to conviviality.
Speeches filled with emotion and a vision for the future
President Louis Mussington recalled the symbolic significance of the place :
"This site is not insignificant. The former Gibbs school once housed the Steel Pan, a part of the soul of Grand-Case. In 1984, This is where I began my teaching career.Today, what we are laying is not simply concrete foundations, but the stones of reconstruction, of memory, and of the future.
He emphasized the vital role of associations, “the beating heart of the Saint-Martin community”, and praised the cooperation between the Collectivity, the State and Europe for this project “exemplary in its ecological vocation and its territorial influence”.
Sub-prefect Marie-Hildegarde Chauveau also mentioned a turning point for Grand-Case:
« Rebuilding a building breathes new life into an entire neighborhood.This is not a trivial gesture; it is a powerful collective act. Grand-Case, a tourist showcase, must also be a place where people live, exchange ideas, and meet.
She emphasized the future role of the Maison des Associations as "a driver of social diversity and civic engagement".
An architecture that serves social connection
In her presentation, the architect Clara Brander described a project "in the image of Saint-Martin"blending heritage and modernity. Each part of the building will incorporate the island's architectural codes, from wooden galleries to more contemporary structures, to symbolize the diversity and vitality of the territory.
A Steel Pan rehearsal space, an exhibition space and a cafeteria for the staff of the Community will complete the complex.
A symbol of reconstruction
The work will begin in the first quarter of 2026 and will last 18 months, with a Delivery expected in September 2027.
"By laying this foundation stone, we are building much more than a building: we are restoring a symbol of life, commitment and hope," concluded Louis Mussington.
With the future Community Center, Grand-Case is preparing to rediscover a part of its soul, that of a vibrant neighborhood, proud of its history and resolutely focused on the future.
Source: Faxinfo https://faxinfo.fr/en/vie-locale-le-coeur-associatif-de-grand-case-en-construction/
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