Will this Loire-Atlantique commune have the means to build its school?

He almost has no question of the presbytery. However, a few weeks ago, it was demolition which had animated the exchanges between residents. Both on social networks and during a meeting with elected officials on the ground. Of the opponents had made themselves heard. In a way quite stormy.

If some of the sixty people present in the Orchid room of the regional reception center in Boussayattempted to address the subject, the debate on this heritage, bought last year by the town hall in negotiations with the diocese for a dozen years and doomed to be destroyed next Februarydid not take.

The current school “at the end of its life”

The evening was held under the presentation of the future public school. Establishment which will partly take its place on a footprint of 2,000 m2 at the back of the church square and along rue de Dodillonne.

It is urgent that we build new equipment. The current Petit-Prince school, which took the place of the town hall which crossed the street in 1976, is reaching the end of its life.

Jumbled together with Maude Soullard, her assistant, they cited the poor conditions in which the 136 students and the teaching team livedshowing some photos.

Inadequate nap room (rotten floor, humidity, etc.), no storage space, lack of motor skills room, pseudo-reception hall, not up to accessibility standards with the staircase, courtyard too small, etc.

Arguments which, according to them, justified the need for a future school group. “Initially, with the Etyo firm, we thought about using the presbytery, but that quickly became impossible”indicated Maude Soullard.

Because instead of making classes of 60 to 70 m2 as the National Education wants, we had difficulty nesting two of 35 m2 in this building. And then we didn't solve the problem of accessibility because it was impossible to install an elevator with its architecture. Finally, we know that he too is in poor condition. So we were probably not at the end of our unpleasant surprises, which would have been the same on the financial level.

Despite everything, she still established 6 of its 9 scenarios maintaining the ancient religious heritage.

Large and sober

But it is one of the three destroying it that was retained. To make room for a 927 m2 school (compared to 680 m2) on one level, with 1,300 m2 of outdoor spaces. She will understand 8 classrooms to absorb the expected increases in numbers (160 students at the start of the 2026 school year) due to the construction of around fifty additional accommodation units at Ardillais, but also a real reception hall, a motor skills room, a training room masters worthy of the name, or even three workshop spaces. “And one green schoolyard who will not separate the small from the great”, expressed David Juhel, architect of the firm The Architectes de Nantes, selected among 52 candidates.

All in exemplary energy sobriety since we are targeting a consumption of 72 kWh/m² thanks in particular to its wood and straw insulation, when yesterday, the RT 2012 offered 240 kWh/m² and the RE 2025 140 kWh/m².

The equipment will be equipped with a heat pump and solar panels. “As far as possible, we will reuse as many materials as possible from the presbytery »he added.

A record investment

An ambitious program which also had a cost.

An amount never seen before for the municipality. That's why it's a real challenge.

A bet even. Since the financial context does not ensure “that it will be able to see the light of day”continued the mayor in complete transparency. Actually, to achieve the financial balance of the project estimated at 3.8 millioneuros excluding tax, i.e. 4.5 million eurosthe municipality must find 1.6 million euros .

Which would mean we could borrow 2 million euros. Our debt limit capacity.

These days, even if there is a a host of levers for schools (state, department, region), Endowments are rather rare.A resident wondered about the total cost when he observed “the 300,000 euros dedicated to revegetation”.

Can there be flexibility in the amount?

We can review the copy if the municipality is in difficulty. Our goal is to support him.

« So why not offer a lower cost from the outset? » added the citizen.“I am, on the contrary, rather satisfied that we let's not immediately go to a cheap school»intervened a mother of a student.

A Monnièresfor more students (180), the school inaugurated in 2023 cost 2 million euroswith 800,000 euros grantto the community.

An establishment, removed from the town, contrary to that planned in the next mandate here:

It was a desire to maintain a dynamic heart, if only for the few existing businesses.

She had exhibited in the space of one evening the mathematical exercise to be solved.

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