The chalet at Beausejour Park will be converted to accommodate cyclists in the summer and cross-country skiiers in the winter. It will also become the permanent home of l’Association récréotouristique Ahuntsic-Cartierville (ARAC), which will become, as the mayor said, “the spirit of the chalet”. (Photo: Jacques Pharand)
Park revitalization
$7 million to update parks and equipment
Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough administration took the next step in realizing its sustainable-development plan unveiled last month. On Monday, they announced the adoption of a new step on that path: a plan to update and revitalize borough parks in an environmentally-friendly way.
"Our playground infrastructures are dated and are in an advanced state of depreciation," said borough mayor Andrée Beaudoin. Wading pools, swimming pools, playground areas and chalets will be improved, updated or in some cases, replaced completely.
That's going to be the case at Auteuil, Louisebourg, Henri-Julien, Olympia-Gouin and Saint-Paul-de-la-Croix, where new playground equipment, updated and conforming to new, more strict, safety standards, will be installed for young ones' enjoyment.
Better splashing for everybody
In some cases, borough wading pools will get new filters, but in many cases, the pools will be replaced by safer, more water-conscious models and safer play structures. The current system requires that the water be changed every day – a considerable waste of the precious natural resource. The new filters will put a stop to the practice. The pool at Marcelin-Wilson park will undergo a similar procedure.
The roof… the roof…the roof is being fixed
Park chalets will also see some improvements. For example, riverside Raimbault and Beausejour parks will have their chalets converted to accommodate cyclists in the summer and cross-country skiiers in the winter. At Beausejour, the project means getting LEED accreditation and living up to some pretty strict environmental norms set by the evironmental-protection body.
The chalets at Ahuntsic, Gabriel-Lalemant and St. Alphonse will also get makeovers, and the ones at Sault-au-Recollet, des Hirondelles and St-Simon-Apôtre will be renovated and enlarged. In addition, each park chalet will be renovated to accommodate users in wheelchairs.
Where, when and how much?
Signage detailing renovations will be posted in parks and letters will be sent to residents advising them of the type of work and its duration. Parks will remain open during the renovations, which will begin this week. The borough hopes to have everything wrapped by the beginning of summer next year.
According to Beaudoin, the $7.3-million project will save the borough money over the long term, especially in energy costs. Maintenance costs will also be lower, because new infrastructures will require less upkeep and 'patch jobs’.
Work schedule
Park Work duration
De Beauséjour December 2007 - May 2008
De Louisbourg September - November 2007
Raimbault September - Décember 2007
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
