The small town of La Rouvière, between Nîmes and Alès in the Gard, inaugurated the energy renovation work on its school this Wednesday, November 6.
Despite a limited municipal budget, the municipality of La Rouvière managed to renovate its nursery/elementary school. A school which has three classes of three double levels from the small section to CE1 and 70 students. The school is shared with the commune of Montignargues which welcomes students from CE2 to CM2 in its school.
“This project, although initially not included in the municipal program, has established itself as a priority in the face of climate change and rising energy prices. Our objective is clear: to guarantee the well-being of students and staff while reducing our carbon footprint.” declared Mayor Patrick De Gonzaga.
A project that had to be carried out despite a works budget doubling from €123,000 to €245,000 between the date of the decision to renovate the school and the start date of the work.
The municipality was able to count on subsidies of €91,000 based on the initial estimated amount of the work (€37 thousand from the State, €27 thousand from the region, €25 thousand from Nîmes Métropole and €3,400 from SMEG. To carry out this work, it relied on the technical skills of SPL Agate which supports the municipalities of Nîmes Métropole.
This work included replacing the oil boiler with a heat pump, replacing the ventilation with a dual flow system, installing photovoltaic panels, replacing the lighting with LED lamps, improving the insulation under the roof.
The mayor of the town and the prefect of Gard in front of the heat pump which replaced the oil boiler
“It is a timely project in the current context of climate change, there is the need to be in a virtuous circle to anticipate change and local finances. This project is part of the philosophy of the green pact that the president defends region with virtuous projects that improve the quality of life of our children.“Kathy Guyot, Occitanie regional councilor.
“The fight against climate change requires redoubled efforts to develop renewable energies and reduce energy needs. To govern is to plan, you lead your municipality towards the path of the future.“Michel Verdier, vice-president of Nîmes Métropole.
“There is no debate on the appropriateness of this work, a school is not only a place of education, it is also a place of life. I firmly believe that what is happening in our schools is decisive for our future.” declares the prefect of Gard Jérôme Bonet.
The mayor of La Rouvière still expresses fears about the risk of class closures due to the low number of students.
The mayor also plans to redevelop the school tower with a wooded park and dewaterproof the existing parking lot by creating green spaces, but this will depend on the aid obtained.
At the end of 2024, a new village hall will be created in place of the existing one. Larger, the new room will have 150 seated or 200 standing places for a project worth 1.2 million euros.
The town is also considering the creation of a cycle path which will connect it to its neighbor St Géniès de Malgoires which has several small businesses.
In La Rouvière in the Gard, a new village hall, a renovated school and a cycle path
