Marly Municipal Budget Cuts Trigger the Closure of the Briquette Social Center
The municipal majority in Marly has halved its financial subsidy to the ACSRV, forcing the association to shut down its operations at the Briquette social center by December 31, 2026.
The decision threatens community support networks in a fragile neighborhood. The center currently serves 400 members, including 97 adolescents and 48 young children under the age of 11, while also funding vocational training like the BAFA youth leadership diploma for local participants at a cost of roughly 750 euros per person.
Residents and Opposition Leaders Condemn the Ideological Decision
Tensions boiled over on October 17, when local parents gathered at the facility during the evening to protect the building. Opposition figures weighed in on October 23, criticizing both the substance of the cuts and the administration’s communication style. Jérôme Leman accused the municipality of pushing an ideological agenda detached from the realities of the neighborhood, pointing out that the decision received no mention in the latest issue of the municipal magazine, Pleine Page.
Karim Berbache questioned whether the entire municipal majority supports the policies of Jean-Noël Verfaillie, arguing that the administration is treating the district as a political battleground. Virginie Melki recalled the history of the facility, noting that Fabien Thiémé originally purchased the building from the Camura Photographie business to secure a permanent home for the social hub after its previous struggles on Place des Vosges.
Uncertain Future for 400 Center Members and Youth Programs
The President of the Users’ Committee voiced direct concerns about the displacement of the facility’s 400 members. “What will happen to the 400 members, including the 97 teenagers and 48 toddlers?” the president asked, predicting that the municipality will soon announce a six-month closure for renovations only to reopen a city-run welcome desk that excludes vulnerable populations.
Ludovic Mortagne, who ran on the same electoral list as Jean-Noël Verfaillie for the 2020 election, characterized the closure as part of a broader dismantling of local youth and cultural infrastructure in Marly. He pointed to the prior endings of local proximity leisure spots and youth information services as evidence of a pattern that leaves the neighborhood with diminished public support.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the ACSRV officially cease its operations at the Briquette social center?
The association will stop its activities at the location on December 31, 2026, following the municipal vote to cut its operating subsidy in half.
How many people are currently registered at the facility?
The center serves 400 members in total, which includes 97 teenagers and 48 children under the age of 11.
What specific youth qualification does the center help finance?
The facility helps young people fund their BAFA youth leadership diploma, covering a cost of approximately 750 euros per participant.
Worth a look