The new intercommunal gymnasium located in the municipality of Matelles is open to the surrounding scrubland. The architect, Marc Galligani, proposed a compact building, providing maximum views of the Pic Saint-Loup site. It is made up of a multisport platform with a room for bodily expression and reception areas (changing rooms, toilets, technical rooms, etc.) for a total surface area of 2,027 m2 (cost: € 2 million).
Local businesses have participated in its achievement, which has been awaited for 12 years, particularly by teachers and parents of local high school students, but also regional associations.
Used by high school students and eight associations
As it was underlined during its inauguration, this could not have succeeded without the will of the various elected officials, who were in charge of this project, in particular the president of the Community of Communes of Grand Pic Saint-Loup. But you also have to know the history, not to forget it, as pointed out by Jérôme Lopez, who represented the president of the Departmental Council, to understand why the name of Gérard Saumade was proposed. Without the avant-garde eye of this deputy-mayor, president of Sivom du Pic Saint-Loup (premise of the CCGPSL), nothing could have succeeded … If the ZAE Saint-Sauveur is now experiencing an opening among others on sports and nature, it is thanks to the interest that the elected official had shown for the acquisition of 10 hectares in the 1980s, in an area comprising 5 municipalities and close to a college. Two of his sons, present, Jean-Luc and Pascal, were very touched and moved for the recognition given to their father.
The intercommunality, with the financial support of the Department, the Region and Europe, was able to bring this very old project to fruition, giving full place to sport, while continuing to develop infrastructure …
Around Alain Barbe, president of the CCGPSL, the vice-president for sports, the elected officials of the Department, of the Region, the principal of the Jean-Jaurès high school, praised the work carried out.
The sports center has been welcoming high school students since 2008, followed by athletics, rugby and since September eight associations: badminton, basketball, handball, dance, sambo, jiu-jitsu and university sport.
Free Midi Correspondent: 06 10 22 62 17
