The construction of a stand at the Rugby stadium at the center of a disagreement in the Caraman municipal council

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It is a project which should see the light of day in 2025. The elected representatives of Caraman continue to work on the construction of a stand for spectators at the Roger-Bourgarel stadium which hosts Rugby club matches. A file that had been launched several months ago already. But which evolved significantly with the arrival of a new municipal team last summer. And it is clear that it is not unanimous today within the municipal council.

The object of the disagreement? The modification of the project and its evolution towards the creation of a stand in concrete rather than tubular metal as initially planned. A change that results in additional cost which is not really to the taste of the elected representatives of the minority. The latter did not hesitate to make this known during the municipal council meeting on Thursday, November 14.

Why did the town hall change the project?

The new project provides for the creation of a stands of 208 seats in concrete for an amount currently estimated at 198 550 €. A sum to which must be added nearly 37 000 € of studies and 26 000 € various costs for a total cost of around 261 911,99 € HT. A solution favored by the municipal majority for several reasons.

This infrastructure has first of all the advantage of being able to allow theinstallation, under the building, of closed storage rooms which could notably be used by the Caraman college. It also offers, in the eyes of the majority team, greater guarantees in terms of security in terms of public reception compared to a metal type structure. Finally, it does not have to be checked regularly by a control office for its approval to be renewed, unlike tubular metal installations.

The cost of the project for the municipality

This Thursday evening, elected officials were therefore invited to validate the signing of a project management assistance contract for this project and the request for a subsidy within the framework of the Rural Territories Equipment Grant (DETR) for the year 2026. The mayor, Karine Navarroalso presented them with a provisional financing plan which provides for aid from the National Sports Agency via the French Rugby Federation to the tune of €52,382.40, as well as from the Department and the DETR for approximately €78,000 each. . “We would be at 80% subsidies and the remaining liability for the municipality would be €52,382.40», underlined the city councilor.

“What remains to be paid for the municipality on this project is the total price of the tubular stands,” remarked at the time Daniel Lasman the leader of the opposition. “No, no… Not at all!” », immediately replied the mayor of Caraman, indicating that the price of the metal stands was estimated at €57,000 not including the option of closures which allows, thanks to the installation of cladding on the sides of the stand, to guarantee the safety of the public and without taking into account the cost of the approval of the installation by a control office.

She then gave the floor to her assistant Sophie Briongoswhich explained that the amount of the two estimates was not comparable, specifying in particular that the capacity was not the same (with around fifty additional seats for the concrete stand ) and that certain developments such as the installation of a concrete slab under the metal infrastructure had not been costed. It also recalled the cost that would be generated over time by visiting an inspection office to check the installation each year and finally pointed out some inconsistencies in the estimate which, once rectified, would be likely to result in additional costs. .

Debate around the safety and durability of the stand

At the end of this demonstration, the additional cost between the old and the new project therefore seemed to approach the 30 000 € according to the estimates of the majority team. A figure which left minority elected officials doubtful. “You can add things, there will still be a big difference. I don’t understand why you want to spend so muchwhile you say that we have to be careful, that there are other projects to carry out”, wondered Philippe Narcisse. “Precisely, the tubular is an expense on the operating budget. And our desire is also to reduce operations. Because this is what will allow us to regain our ability to invest,” the mayor replied.

The opposition representative did not budge: “Why do you want at all costs to go to concrete which is much more expensive, when one or the other is the same thing for watching a match rugby”, regretted Philippe Narcisse again. “ The tubular, I admit, it still scares me very much. This is also why we had already added this cladding option. In terms of safety, I am not reassured. I am not at all saying that something like Furiani could happen and that it would collapse, but I find that for the public and children in particular there are risks,” Karine Navarro replied. “It’s a company that is still reliable, it installed stands for the Olympics ceremony, for BMX, for shows at Versailles…” contested the opposition elected official.

“The risk with this type of metal structure is also that one day an inspection office comes by and tells us that it is no longer approved,” he warned. Nicolas Thuriesmunicipal councilor delegated within the majority group. A point on which the deputy mayor agreed, Cédric Guibal: “The concrete stand,This still allows us to save space underneath for storage. . And moreover, it is something that we are sure to have for life while the other project is subject to approval. I think that it’s better to put a little more, but have something that is sure to last . »

A more expensive grandstand to the detriment of the city stadium?

Benoist Coulioutook the floor in turn to question the mayor on the impact of the additional costs linked to the evolution of the grandstand project on the construction of the city stadium: “There were three projects. The renovation of the tennis courts is going to be done, it’s very good. The platform will be in 2025. But we don’t talk about the city stadium anymore!Does this mean it will be in 2026? And that the transition to a concrete project is therefore to the detriment of this project? The meaning of the economy generated by the tubular project was to be able to finance the city stadium, which we no longer talk about today. »

Karine Navarro also responded to the opposition elected official: “We said that we wanted to spread out the three projects, that’s what we are doing. Knowing that there can only be one file per year presented for the DETR in any case and that there are also other important projects to carry out. We are not abandoning the city stadium. But we want real reflection upstream with the young people of the municipality, to know what they really expect and where. It could be a city stadium, a skate park, a pump track… We must not put the platform and this project in opposition. There will need to be a solution for young people, but that’s another subject. »

A response which did not seem to convince the former first deputy. “So are we postponing the city stadium? Can’t we do both in 2025? », he asked again. “Not necessarily,” replied the mayor. “So I ask you to act it,” insisted Benoist Couliou. “ We never said we would build the city stadium in 2025 . It does not shock me if it is in 2026. And that we launch a reflection which can last until then to know that it is the best solution on this issue”, the deputy mayor then pointed out to him. Olivier Xerri .

Two votes against and two abstentions

Cédric Guibal then sent a reminder to the assembly. “We must not forget that there is also the big sanitation projectwhich will have to be put back on the table,” said the works assistant. “And it’s a file that is very important for the sustainability of our village,” added Karine Navarro.

In the end, the two deliberations put to the vote resulted in the same result. If they received the approval of all the members of the majority,Philippe Narcisse and Benoist Couliou abstainedwhileSybille Albaglie Daubresse and Daniel Lasman voted against.

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