The inauguration ceremony was attended by local and regional political figures, including the senator for Savoie Cédric Vial, Marie-Pierre Montoro-Sadoux, vice-president of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, and Luc Berthoud, vice-president of the departmental council and mayor of La Motte-Servolex. Elected officials, teachers, after-school staff, municipal technical service agents, and parents were also present.
The school, designed in 1972 by the firm Patriarche, currently accommodates 180 students across 7 classrooms. Mayor Nicolas Mercat stated that the renovation will allow the establishment to "start again for 50 years after more than 50 years of loyal service." The renovation focused on reducing energy consumption, enhancing student comfort in both summer and winter, and adapting the premises for extracurricular activities.
The renovation program included a complete thermal overhaul of the building using bio-sourced materials, installation of a dual-flow ventilation system, connection to the district heating network, improved accessibility for people with reduced mobility, creation of an after-school space and a new covered playground, and preparation for an additional classroom to accommodate children from housing developments planned for delivery in 2028. These improvements have more than halved the school's energy consumption.
The construction project, which began in 2024 while the school remained occupied, experienced delays due to the failure of one company, impacting the schedule for other trades. Some noisy work had to be carried out during school terms, requiring temporary relocation of classrooms. The mayor commended the patience of the teaching and after-school staff, as well as the responsiveness of the technical services, while noting that some final touches, particularly concerning ventilation and indoor air quality, are still pending.
The total investment amounts to approximately 2.01 million euros including tax (1,675,774 € excluding tax), covering works, studies, and project management. This project represents one of the most significant investments of the previous municipal term. Funding sources include the State (Fonds vert) with €400,000, the Department of Savoie with €356,400 (including a €32,400 performance bonus), the Caisse d’allocations familiales (Plan Mercredi) with €300,000 (plus a €200,000 zero-interest loan), the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region with €120,000, energy saving certificates for €25,000, and the Banque des Territoires with €10,000. The commune's remaining cost is around €464,000, including the zero-interest CAF loan.
This renovation aligns with the municipality's strategy focused on energy sobriety, energy efficiency, and the development of renewable energies. Mayor Nicolas Mercat reiterated that "the school is a priority for us," emphasizing the commune's commitment to providing students with suitable facilities, in collaboration with the national education system and supported by the after-school and extracurricular services.
