This commune in Vendée invests €1.4 million to welcome its young people to the town

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And wind of youth blows in the town center of Landeronde. Since November 12, unrest has spread to Astoul Street around an old warehouse that has been deserted for four years. This hangar, destined for demolition, will offer a new playground for young people of the municipality, with the construction of a youth center in the heart of the village.

And project not originally planned, but which becomes “ structuring for the commune”, immediately confides Angie Leboeuf, mayor of Landeronde. Because if his campaign promise targeted the youth of Landeron, it was more particularly aimed at the provision of entertainment for children and adolescents. “Landeronde is a rural commune, with 2,363 inhabitants. And 20% are under 15 years old », recalls the elected official who intends to develop a real youth policy.

This project was able to benefit from an alignment of the planets. With this possibility of buying, for €180,000, a building in the heart of the village. A plot of 2,043 m² on which there is a 310 m hangar²dating from the 70s, unoccupied for four years, and a 70 m garage² with one floor.

Located a stone's throw from the public school Once upon a timethe site appears ideal for creating a future youth center and bring life back to the town center.

This is a great opportunity that allows us to respond to the challenges we have set ourselves, to offer quality youth services that meet needs while revitalizing the town.

A young population

As a reminder, for years, leisure reception has been provided within the sports complex, route de Beaulieu. A multifunctional site which also hosts the municipal library, the youth center and a dance association. “The leisure center must regularly clear space to leave the room for dancing several times a week,” recalls Angie Leboeuf. A habit which nevertheless constrains the work of the animators.

Not to mention the attendance at the leisure center, which continues to increase. “Over the last two years, attendance of 3-6 year olds has increased by 20%. The dormitory is saturated and no longer allows for accommodation in good conditions,” notes the mayor, who also explains the difficulties around the hall of the complex pointed out by the Departmental Youth, Engagement and Sports Service. It does not ensure complete security, the hall allowing any outside person to circulate freely there. Without hesitation, the municipality therefore decided toinvest in new equipment for young people.

Three places in one

Ce future youth center will not only welcome the leisure centerby multiplying its surface area by three, but also the youth centeras well as the Early childhood relay office from La Roche Agglo. The future center will rise on the site of the old warehouse and will consist of four activity rooms, a visual arts room and a dormitory. “The proximity of the center to the school will make it possible, in the summer, to extend the capacity of the dormitory by using that of the kindergarten, and during the school year, to accommodate after-school activities,” explains the elected official. A terrace and a wooded area will enhance the large plot. As for the garage, “it will be rehabilitated to install the teen club there. They will have their own place,” announces Angie Leboeuf.

This future hub will not only connect young people. The entire town will benefit from this new lease of life. The municipality has in fact added the creation of a new one-way roadwith a lane dedicated to bicycles, to the left of the future leisure center. “It will facilitate access to parking which will be at the rear of the building without disturbing the town,” explains Angie Leboeuf. This new link will also be a way of easier access to the school and the pond area.

€1.4 million investment

Such an investment has a cost for a small town like Landeronde. Estimated at €1.9 million, it should instead be closer to €1.4 million, thanks to a successful call for tenders. Several aid was requested from the Caf (€300,000), the Green Fund (formerly brownfield funds for €330,000), and the Department (€400,000). The Agglomeration's competition fund should also be used to reduce the pain, as well as a subsidy from the DETR, unsuccessful in 2024, but which the mayor intends to relaunch in 2025.

As for the delivery date, the future youth center should be ready for first quarter 2026.

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