From left: Vice President Bernadette Davis, President Louis Mussington and Sous Préfète Marie-Hildegarde Chauveau assist in laying the foundation stone.
(Robert Luckock photo
GRAND CASE--The symbolic laying of a foundation stone and ceremony for the new Maison des Associations took place on Tuesday, marking a major development on Boulevard Léonel Bertin Maurice and an important asset for residents of Grand Case and the wider population.
President Louis Mussington speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday. (Robert Luckock photo)
An architect’s rendering of what the future Maison des Associations will look like.
This eagerly-awaited 4-million-euro project is being carried out by the Collectivité of Saint Martin with the contribution of European and State funds.
The two buildings that will be turned into a new cultural and community centre are located on the Boulevard and intersection of Rue des Écoles. The plan is to demolish the left-side beige building and renovate the adjacent blue building (former Elie Gibbs School and police station), completely redesigning the site’s architecture while respecting the local architectural heritage.
At the end of the 18 months of work, the Maison will become an essential hub for local associations, District Council No. 3, France Services, the local police and a tourist information office, each of which will have a dedicated space. This central location will house several activity areas designed in accordance with the cultural codes of Saint Martin as explained by architect Clara Brander from Antistatik Architecture.
The building will feature an airy, tree-lined patio with street furniture on the ground floor and a traditional gallery on the upper floor. It will be mainly dedicated to community life and the promotion of Saint Martin’s culture and heritage.
The delegated project manager is SEMSAMAR, and the design has been entrusted to a group of architects: Antistatik, represented by Clara Brander, and WIA Architecture, represented by Céline Dherbonez.
Speakers for the occasion included Collectivité President Louis Mussington, Second Vice President in charge of the Living Environment and Ecological Transition Bernadette Davis, and Sous-Préfète and Cabinet Director at the Préfecture Marie-Hildegarde Chauveau, representing Préfet Cyrille Le Vély.
Davis said in her remarks: “Today we turn a new page together. This will be a home for our community, our culture and our future. This new space will be open to everyone, to learn, to create and celebrate. More than a building, this project is about unity and hope, a way to support all those who give their time and energy to others. With this Maison, we are giving back to the community the vibrant space it deserves, a place to grow ideas, strengthen bonds, and shine together.”
Mussington pointed to the window of a classroom in the hurricane-damaged blue building, showing where he once taught at the primary school.
“There are a lot of memories to cherish here. As a government we have responded to the aspirations of not only the people of Grand Cass but also French Quarter and Sandy Ground and
other districts. We are very proud to share this moment with you. It’s a way of saying we are concerned, we want to improve your living conditions. By laying this first stone today, we are building much more than a building: we are restoring a symbol of life, commitment and hope,” he said.
