Demolition of the old Sandy-Ground cinema

In order to address the concerns of parents of students at the Aline Hanson and Jérôme Beaupère schools in Sandy Ground, the Collectivité's "Quality of Living Environment" department has taken all necessary measures to reassure local residents about the safety of the demolition of the central building (former cinema). As the presence of asbestos was detected in non-friable form in the piping making up the reinforced concrete support posts of the building, the Collectivité had dust analyses carried out by the VERITAS laboratory on September 10, 2024.

These analyses carried out at the heart of the construction site and in the courtyard of the Jérôme Beaupère school proved negative. No asbestos fibres were detected in the air, so there is no danger to the health of workers or local residents.

The companies responsible for the demolition are taking the necessary precautions to secure the site and minimise its effects. It is recalled that all construction sites are strictly prohibited to the public.

The demolition work is being carried out with caution so as not to rip open the posts. Consequently, the site will generate less dust than a conventional demolition. The reinforced concrete posts in which the pipes have been detected will be directly evacuated to the Cul-de-Sac landfill where they will be cut up, then to a regulatory storage centre outside Saint-Martin. The asbestos fibre will remain contained and will be treated off-site. There is therefore no risk.

In response to ongoing concerns, the collectivité and its service providers have committed to carrying out a full clean of schools before the start of the school year. The start of the school year for both Sandy Ground schools has been postponed by one week to allow sufficient time before the school year resumes and to reassure parents.

The demolition of the old cinema will then be completed without any asbestos or rubble remaining on site.