Demolition work on Sandy Ground Youth Center halted
September 09, 2024Asbestos pipes discovered inside the poles
In July, the Collectivité began work on removing asbestos from the MJC in Sandy Ground. Once this work was completed, the demolition phase of the building began on 1 August.
In view of the provisional schedule for the demolition work at the MJC in Sandy-Ground, the schedule was respected. The work was preceded by an asbestos diagnosis before demolition, carried out by the company THERMODAS.
When the company TMTT, the contract holder, began demolishing the old cinema, it discovered asbestos pipes inside the posts. These pipes were not visible during the asbestos diagnosis before demolition. On the one hand, they are embedded in the reinforced concrete constituting the posts. On the other hand, other PVC rainwater downpipes existed on the façade, giving no indication of the presence of the old ones.
In this type of asbestos-cement pipes used in the 1960s and 1970s, the asbestos fibres are incorporated into a binder and therefore do not diffuse into the air.
It is no longer possible to manage the demolition as planned, with a large clamp, and a mixture of materials, which would lead to the emission of asbestos fibres into the air.
The work was stopped and by letter dated August 29, 2024, the Prefect, elected officials and the Rectorate were informed.
This involves respecting the legislation that protects workers and professionals working in this context, without forgetting the pupils and staff of the Jérôme BEAUPERE nursery school and the Aline HANSON primary school, close to the site.
This context also leads to additional costs for this demolition project initially committed to €290,000. Co-financing from the State exists under the Convergence and Transformation Contract. This project planned the reconstruction phase of the new socio-cultural centre of Sandy-Ground, by 2027.
The Collectivité would like to apologize to the school community and parents for this work and is doing everything possible to ensure that it takes place during the All Saints' Day holidays.