“The first step in the future social life of the neighborhood”

“Some stones are more important than others,” introduced the mayor of Saint-Etienne, Gaël Perdriau. Thursday April 4, nearly forty people gathered for the installation of the 1^D stone of the future premises of the Solaure-La Jomayère social center. Announced in December 2022 the project is therefore officially starting and should be completed by next year.

“The renewal of an entire neighborhood”

“Public action takes on its full meaning when people are at the center” continued the Saint-Etienne city councilor, welcoming “the renewal of an entire district, in consultation with its inhabitants”. The social center of the Solaure district was until now split into two distinct spaces within the same residential building, rue Ambroise-Paré, managed by the social landlord Habitat & Métropole.

A configuration which did not facilitate the reception and service missions of the structure. As part of the urban project for the Solaure district, the municipality seized “this opportunity to restructure the social center”, by disinvesting one of the two spaces and adding an extension of 450 m² to the second. The total surface area will be approximately 700 m² and the activities will, finally, be brought together in a single place.

75% energy saving

For the moment, the decrepit facade dominates the audience who have waited a long time for the construction site to begin. “It’s been a long road,” admits Odile Girin, president of the board of directors of the Solaure-La Jomayère social center, after thanking the various actors who took part in the project.

“This 1^D Pierre is the first step in the future social life of the neighborhood,” she added. The operation cost the municipality a whopping 2.5 million euros, including nearly €400,000 provided by the Loire Family Allowance Fund. “This has a significant financial impact but it is a choice, and it is ours” underlined Gaël Perdriau, while recalling the 30 million euros invested in popular education structures and 40 million dedicated to the renovation of educational establishments.

Beyond the extension of the site, the already existing structure will be completely rehabilitated. According to the Saint-Etienne mayor, the energy renovation will allow 75% energy savings. “In a year, we hope that our next general assembly will be held in our new premises,” joked Odile Girin.

Initially planned for fall 2024, the new social center will finally see the light of day in early 2025.