2023

New signage for Pointe-des-Cascades’ Nature Park

We’re delighted to share a great new feature with you: the installation of directional signage to enhance the visitor experience in and around the Nature Park’s trails. This signage is a part of a first phase of installations designed to enhance this green space!

This project was made possible thanks to the contribution of our partners:

The Municipality of Pointe-des-Cascades

The Ministère De L’éducation, Du Loisir Et Du Sport,Kino-Québec and Loisir et Sport Montérégie through the ”Fond en Montérégie on Bouge!”

The development of the Nature Park is also part of the “Signature innovation” project of the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges,supported by the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation as part of the ”Fonds régions et ruralité”. #fondsregionsruralite

Thanks to our suppliers Repere, Collectif Escargo and Signalisation Kalitec Inc.

Enjoy your visit!

28Sep

Art et culture Community

Inauguration of a new placottoir in the park

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel

28 September 2023

September 29, 2023

The Soulanges Canal Park and its partners inaugurate a brand-new placottoir-style public space

The Soulanges Canal Park and its many partners gathered last night to celebrate the inauguration of a brand-new public space in the Soulanges Canal Park, at the entrance to the Village des Écluses.

Following a call for applications, Valérie Langlais and Adèle Reeves were selected to work with artist Sonia Haberstich, who assumed artistic direction of the project. The artists were selected on the basis of their complementarity and their sensitivity to the themes of community, heritage and the environment. During the summer of 2023, the space was created “outside the walls”, before the eyes of the public, who were invited to talk with the artists and take part in creative workshops on Saturdays. The project was funded as part of the 2021-2023 ’Entente en développement culturel 2021-2023 between the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges and the gouvernement du Québec whose objective is to support the development and cultural vitality of territories. The Soulanges Canal Park also thanks the Conseil des arts et de la culture de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CACVS) for its support and expertise in implementing this project.

The space thus created is composed of two tables made from industrial coils produced by the CSUR Cooperative in collaboration with wood worker Hugo Sabourin, a tiered space designed by Construction Hutchinson, and a series of unique sculptures created by the artists using a variety of techniques and arranged in the space to make it more welcoming and to allow each artist to tell his or her own story. This brand-new gathering place will evolve over the coming years, and will be complemented by new, evolving facilities.

The chosen location is no coincidence: the meeting space is right in front of the new Soulanges Canal Park offices, to be built in 2023 thanks to a contribution from the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CCIVS) via the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec’s assistance program for small tourism enterprises (PAPETU). The inauguration of the Placottoir was also an opportunity to highlight this contribution.

The inauguration also included an art workshop offered by the artists who contributed to the project. It also marks the kick-off to a program of artistic workshops, which will take place at the placottoir in autumn 2023 and spring 2024. Here is the program that was announced, again thanks to the contribution of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications:

Autumn 2023

September 30, 2023: Glass painting workshop with Jade Cousineau
October 8, 2023: Pencil drawing workshop with Sonia Isabelle
October 14 or 15, 2023 (to be confirmed) : Percussion workshop with Cheikh Anta Faye
October 28, 2023: Watercolor workshop with Deidre Potash

Spring 2024:

May 11, 2024: Textile art workshop with Tina Marais Struthers
May 18, 2024: Mosaic workshop with Monica Brinkman
May 25, 2024: Poetry workshop with Marie-Belle Ouellet
May 23, 2024 : * Heritage talk * Histoires d’eaux – the Soulanges Canal with the Musée régional de Vaudreuil-Soulanges
May 30, 2024 : * Heritage talk * The canal and the history of the Village of Pointe-des-Cascades with the Société de recherches historiques de Pointe-des-Cascades
Spring 2024 (date to be announced): Wheelless pottery workshop with André Leroux

About the placottoir artists

Sonia Haberstich

Sonia Haberstich lives and maintains her practice in Hudson, Quebec. She obtained a Master’s degree in painting from Concordia University in 2008. She has participated in numerous major exhibitions in Canada and abroad. She has also been the recipient of several grants, notably from SODEC and CALQ, and has created several public works, some of which were selected as part of the 1% architectural integration program. Sonia Haberstich contributes to her community by being very active in teaching and cultural mediation in the Montérégie region.

Valérie Langlais

Valérie Langlais lives in Les Cèdres and teaches art at the secondary level. As an artist, her multidisciplinary work bears witness to her versatility and mastery of plastic language and different creative materials. All his work is inspired by nature, and his use of textures and organic elements reflects his concern for the environment.

Adèle Reeves

Adele Reeves is an artist who works with the mediums of image, movement and place. She’s also a nature lover, educator, activist and eternal student. In recent years, his work has focused on questions of the connection between nature and community, and on climate mourning. It reminds people of the active role they play in nature, not just that of living close to it. Her work is cross-disciplinary, combining painting, sculpture, animation, site intervention, dance, activism and teaching.

20Sep

Community Piste cyclable

Équipements régionaux – MRCVS donates $25,000 to Soulanges Canal Park

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel

20 September 2023

September 18, 2023

Équipements régionaux – MRCVS donates $25,000 to Soulanges Canal Park

The MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges is proud to support regional facilities on its territory, and is donating $25,000 to the Soulanges Canal Park for the Soulanges bike path. The sums received are used to maintain the infrastructures in place and keep them up to date. Every year, investments are made in the maintenance of the Soulanges bike path, to keep the infrastructure safe and welcoming, and to add amenities for users.

The 35-km trail offers visitors a variety of panoramic views of the region, as well as a range of activities including an exhibition of the trail’s banner banners, interpretation panels, sporting and cultural events, the Archéotour bicycle tour and the Xplorateur family tour in collaboration with Parks Canada.

“This renewed funding reiterates the importance the MRC attaches to the development of this cycling link in the region. The Soulanges bike path is an essential infrastructure that combines active mobility and discovery, and crosses the Soulanges Canal Park, MRC’s signature project,” says Patrick Bousez, prefect of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC and mayor of Rivière-Beaudette.

“The support of the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges is very important to us. It demonstrates the importance of the Soulanges bike path for the region. The bike path improves the quality of life of our Vaudreuil-Soulanges citizens, and we’re delighted to count the riverside towns and the MRC among our partners. This allows us to leverage our financial resources to maintain our infrastructure and improve the services offered to users year after year,” emphasizes Marianne Sigouin-Lebel, General Manager of the Soulanges Canal Park.

13Sep

Activities Art et culture Community Events Piste cyclable

Studio tour 2023 – Route des arts Vaudreuil-Soulanges

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel

13 September 2023

Studios visits on September 16 and 17

Route des arts – 2023 Edition

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the artists participating in the 2023 edition of the Route des arts de Vaudreuil-Soulanges!
Some studios are just a few pedal strokes from our cycle path!

Consult this interactive map to plan your trips by car, by bike or on foot near the Parc du canal de Soulanges.
The Soulanges Canal Park would like to emphasize the importance of highlighting the region’s artists and their works and thanks the RAVS for this great project!

Happy exhibition to all!

The Vaudreuil-Soulanges Studio Tour presents a cultural discovery trail offering the public the opportunity to visit several studios of artisans and artists while traveling the roads of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region. On September 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 25 artists from 8 municipalities in the region will welcome the public to their studios to share their inspiration, their creative process and their works. This course allows you to discover how different forms of art and creation are practiced and to discuss with local artists and artisans. routedesartsvaudreuilsoulanges.com/

Artistes 2023 Artists

14Aug

Art et culture Community Heritage

Call for artisans – Pointe-des-Cascades Nature Park entrance arch project

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel

14 August 2023

July 17th 2023

Call for artisans – Pointe-des-Cascades Nature Park entrance arch project

The municipality of Pointe-des-Cascades, in collaboration with the Soulanges Canal Park, is inviting artisans to submit a project proposal for the construction of an entrance arch, which will be located at the beginning of the Nature Park trails. The implementation of a clear visual symbol, via a structural artwork, is intended to invite visitors to the village core to stroll the trails. The entrance arch will be located in Parc Saint-Pierre, overlooking the existing path.

See the full call for projects here

Artisans have until September 10, 2023 to submit their proposals to loisirs@pointe-des-cascades.com.

26Jul

Activities Art et culture Environment Events Piste cyclable

Public notice – call for tenders for resurfacing sections of the Soulanges bicycle path

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel

26 July 2023

July 26, 2023

Public notice – call for tenders for resurfacing sections of the Soulanges Cycling Path

The Soulanges Canal Park is seeking a company to carry out resurfacing work on the Soulanges Cycling Path, over a total distance of 2044 linear meters. The tender document will be available from August 2, 2023 on www.seao.ca at the bidder’s expense.

Tenders will be received at the MRC Vaudreuil-Soulanges civic centre until 10 a.m. on Friday, August 25, 2023, in a sealed envelope marked “Appel d’offres 20230720 – Pavage mécanisé sur des sections de la Piste cyclable Soulanges”, at the attention of Marianne Sigouin-Lebel, at the following address:

Parc du canal de Soulanges
280 Harwood Boulevard
Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec J7V 1Y5

Tenders will be publicly opened on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 10:05 a.m. in Room 119 of the Civic Center. Each bid must be accompanied by all documents identified in this call for tenders and all forms duly completed. For any additional information regarding this call for tenders, please contact, in writing only, Ms. Marianne Sigouin-Lebel, General Manager, Soulanges Canal Park, by e-mail at direction@canaldesoulanges.ca.

This request for tender does not constitute an offer to contract with any of the bidders, and Soulanges Canal Park makes no commitment to accept the lowest or any of the bids received. It assumes no obligation or liability to bidders who, by submitting a bid, waive any claim against Soulanges Canal Park. The Board’s decision will be made within ninety (90) days of the bid opening.

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel
General Manager, Soulanges Canal Park

To download the PDF, click here.

24Jul

Activities Art et culture Environment Events Piste cyclable

Job posting – General Management (maternity leave replacement)

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel

24 July 2023

July 24, 2023

General management position (maternity leave replacement)

The Soulanges Canal Park preserves and enhances the natural and heritage resources of its territory for the benefit of citizens and visitors, by offering a safe environment for outdoor activities and the discovery of various experiences. The main attraction of our park is the Soulanges bicycle path, a first class multifunctional network in Vaudreuil-Soulanges.

We are currently looking for the perfect candidate to replace our General Manager, Marianne Sigouin-Lebel, on maternity leave for 12 months from November 2023.

A stimulating challenge for any manager with a passion for the outdoors, culture, heritage and development!

Your mission

Plan, organize, direct, promote and control all of the organization’s activities in accordance with its mission and objectives and the policies and directives of the Board of Directors.
Ensure the Park’s administrative management (budget management, human resources, strategic planning, etc.).
Establish positive, collaborative governance between the many players and stakeholders involved. Support and accompany local partners and organizations.
Ensure the preparation and follow-up of budgets, board meetings and reporting.
Monitor funding programs and coordinate grant applications in collaboration with the team and partners.
Coordinate Soulanges Canal Park’s communications activities with various clienteles (social media, requests for information, interactions with citizens, website, etc.).
Monitor the various policies and procedures, in collaboration with the Board of Directors, the MRC and the team in place.
Coordinate recruitment, human resources support and the annual appraisal process.
Lead the implementation of an original and coherent range of services and activities around the Soulanges Canal, for a multitude of clienteles (individual, citizen, tourist, institutional, corporate, etc.).
Ensure a sustained presence in the field to observe activities, opportunities for improvement and issues encountered. Analyze park issues, prepare files and make recommendations for decisions by the Board and/or working committees.
In conjunction with the team, roll out the implementation of the Soulanges Canal Park Cultural and Landscape Master Plan and implement the first action plan emanating from the 2024-2026 strategic plan.
Monitor the Soulanges Canal Park membership process and contribute to the organization’s democratic and community life.
Numerous other related tasks, aimed at promoting the channel and ensuring the smooth development of our organization.

Profile required

Have practical knowledge and a strong interest in the field of outdoor or cultural project management.
Demonstrate dynamism and inspirational leadership.
A strong sense of customer service and teamwork.
Demonstrate strong political acumen.
Ability to manage several projects simultaneously, on time and on budget.
Know how to work in concert with various municipal, private, government and community partners.

Requirements

University degree in tourism, leisure, regional development, cultural activities, or any related field.
Minimum of five years’ relevant experience in a management position in a related field (recreation, culture, outdoors, heritage, project management, etc.) and/or 2 years as a director of an organization in a similar sector.
Knowledge of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges territory (an asset).
Very good knowledge of French (oral and written) and good knowledge of English (oral).
Valid driver’s license.
Want to contribute to the influence of your community!

Conditions

Full-time position, minimum 14 months contract.
Available evenings and weekends on occasion.
Competitive salary.
Hybrid workplace – house, office and outdoors (outdoors… along the canal!).
Cell phone refunded.
Competitive group insurance.
4 weeks vacation, personal and statutory vacations, 2 weeks paid holiday.
Benefits of the position: contribute to a unifying project, work with a small, dynamic and motivated team, stay in shape, training and representation budget, flexible schedule, and much more!

If you would like to take up this challenge, please send your application by August 21, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. to the Human Resources Department of MRCVS by e-mail at recrutement@mrcvs.ca. We would like to thank all those who express an interest, but only successful candidates will be contacted.

Photo credit : Olivier Langevin
*French postings : Le masculin est utilisé dans le seul but d’alléger le texte.

21Jun

Activities Community Kayak

Launch of the Soulanges Canal Park rental kiosk season

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel

21 June 2023

June 21, 2023

Launch of the Soulanges Canal Park rental kiosk season

The Soulanges Canal Park is pleased to announce the opening of its non-motorized boat rental kiosk on the Soulanges Canal, in downtown Coteau-du-Lac, for the 2023 season. Activities begin today, June 21, 2023!

Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 21 to September 3, 2023.

Pool difficulty level: beginner, 2.5km long

Access: To get there: Soulanges bike path parking lot, adjacent to 20, rue Principale, Coteau-du-Lac (see on Google).

The Soulanges Canal is a popular destination for paddle sports enthusiasts, who can discover its rich historical and landscape heritage in a whole new way! With calm water and no motorized navigation, the Soulanges Canal is perfect for beginner paddlers or those looking for a safe, contemplative or sporty experience.

New for 2023

A number of new features have been added to the kiosk offering for 2023. First of all, it is now possible to rent a boat “by the day” to discover new basins on the canal. For several years now, the Soulanges Canal Park has been installing new public docks to access the canal, in collaboration with riverside municipalities. As each basin is unique, we invite paddlers to explore the territory. Dock locations can be found on the interactive map on the
Soulanges
Soulanges Canal Park website.

Reservations for rental kiosk services will also be possible in 2023. Individuals and small groups will have the chance to reserve the day and hour of activity directly on the park’s website, thanks to the implementation of the Réservotron platform, accessible from the
nautical page of our website
. For larger groups (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.), the teambuildingday camps, etc.), reservations can be made directly with the Park by calling 438 405-2300 or by calling info@canaldesoulanges.caand even open the kiosk especially for the group, outside normal operating hours.

Financial partners

The Soulanges Canal Park wishes to acknowledge the financial contribution of the Regional County Municipality (RCM) of Vaudreuil-Soulanges and the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation for their support in setting up the Soulanges Canal Park under the RCM “Signature innovation” projects component of the Fonds régions et ruralité.

12Jun

Activities Community Environment Events Heritage Kayak

A third edition of the Soulanges Canal Kayak Event!

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel

12 June 2023

June 12, 2023

A third edition of the Soulanges Canal Kayak Event!

On July 8, the third edition of the Soulanges Canal Kayak Race will take place. The Soulanges Canal Park and the Conseil du bassin versant de la région de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (COBAVER-VS), in collaboration with the Municipality of Les Cèdres and the Municipality of Pointe-des-Cascades, invite the public to come and paddle the 7.5 km route, with portages, to discover the magnificent landscape and architecture of the Soulanges Canal, including Lock #4.

Date: Saturday, July 8, 2023. Postponed to the next day in case of rain.

Cost: Free for participants with their own boat. Registration required. A few kayaks and SUPS are available for rental, subject to reservation ($).

Location: launch: Soulanges Canal, Chemin Saint-Féréol junction, Les Cèdres. Parking and departure of the land shuttle : Pointe-des-Cascades.

Level of difficulty: Kayak level: beginner. Overall level: Intermediate, due to portages.

Route: 7.5 km, with two portages totalling around 600 metres.

For details and registration, visit
https://canaldesoulanges.ca/eventer/descente2023

The Soulanges canal from a unique perspective

The Soulanges Canal is a popular destination for paddlesports enthusiasts. A calm waterway, it promises to be both recreational and contemplative, allowing you to discover the rich landscape heritage of the Soulanges Canal!

The passage through Lock 4 is definitely the highlight of the day. Its monumental arches transport event participants into another era. Usually visible from the outside by bike or car, passing through the lock at water level is a memorable experience.

Financial partners

“I invite people to take part in this activity in large numbers. They’ll be able to enjoy the great outdoors and admire the scenery while paddling. Congratulations to all the partners; your excellent work is helping people discover the canal and its locks in a different way, these jewels that are one of our local treasures!” says Marilyne Picard, MNA for Soulanges and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health.

About the organizers

Parc du canal de Soulanges

Created in 2021 following the signing of historic agreements between the MRC of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, the ministère des Transports Quebec and the municipalities along the canal, the Parc du canal de Soulanges’ mission is to develop, enhance and animate the canal from the perspectives of heritage, outdoor activities, culture and sustainable development.

Conseil du bassin versant de la région de Vaudreuil-Soulanges

Founded in 2009, le Conseil du bassin versant de la région de Vaudreuil-Soulanges is a non-profit watershed organization mandated by the Government of Quebec to develop, update and implement the region’s Plan directeur de l’eau. and ensure consultation, planning and coordination of integrated water management in the territory.

03Jun

Community

Unveiling our 2022 Achievements

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel

3 June 2023

June 5, 2023

Unveiling our 2022 Achievements

We’re proud to finally be able to share our 2022 achievements with you!

“Realisation” are produced annually by the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges and its partners, including Soulanges Canal Park, to showcase projects by and for the region! We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the financial contribution of the MRC and the Ministère des Affaires Municipales et de l’Habitation under the Fonds régions et ruralité (MRC “Signature Project” component). It’s thanks to this support that we’ve been able to carry out all these wonderful projects in our organization’s first year!

Visit the Soulanges Canal Park section here (french only).

Link to PDF

03Apr

Community

Annual General Meeting, April 13, 2023

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel

3 April 2023

April 3, 2023

Invitation to the Annual General Meeting of the Soulanges Canal Park

On Thursday, April 13, at 7:30 pm, the first Annual General Meeting of the Soulanges Canal Park will be held in person. For the occasion, citizens and organizations of Vaudreuil-Soulanges interested in the Soulanges Canal are invited to come and discuss with the members of the Board of Directors and the team.

The meeting will be held at the Pavillon Wilson in Coteau-du-Lac, located at 4 rue Principale, Coteau-du-Lac, at 7:30 pm. This event will be the perfect opportunity to learn about the Soulanges Canal Park’s mission and the major projects that marked 2022 and what is to come in 2023.

The event of the Park will be preceded by the Assemblée générale annuelle of the Comité Piste cyclable Soulanges, a close collaborator, which will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

The Soulanges Canal Park wishes to acknowledge the contribution of the ministère des affaires municipales et de l’habitation, through the FRR (Fonds régions et ruralité) Volet 3 – signature et innovation des MRC, in the launch of the revalorization of the Soulanges Canal.

The agenda can be viewed by following this link.

Questions can be directed to Marianne Sigouin-Lebel, Executive Director of Soulanges Canal Park at direction@canaldesoulanges.ca .

14Feb

Activities Art et culture Community

A call to artists for the creation of an artistic placottoir at the canal!

Marianne Sigouin-Lebel

14 February 2023

February 14, 2023

A call to artists for the creation of an artistic placottoir at the canal!

The Soulanges Canal is a heritage site of great importance for the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region. It is also a gathering place for our citizens, where the identity of the place is intimately linked to family histories, childhood, or the landscape of a welcoming land for our new residents. For artists, the Soulanges Canal can be a place of inspiration, creation and diffusion. Such is the ambition of the Parc du canal de Soulanges, which places culture and the arts at the heart of its mission.

Context and project | Parc du canal de Soulanges is currently calling on artistic collectives (existing or spontaneous) or individual artists (in visual arts or multidisciplinary) to submit an application for the collective construction of a placottoir-type stop in the Soulanges Canal Park. The concept includes public participation in the creation phase, notably through citizen workshops and outdoor creation. These workshops, held over a period of 4 to 6 weeks, should solicit the spontaneous participation of site visitors and/or the transfer of knowledge from the artist to the visitor.

The artistic direction and coordination of the project is assured by the artist Sonia Haberstich, who will be joined by 2 or 3 other artists, selected on an individual basis or as a collective.

The project will be located at the entrance of the Village des Écluses, just in front of the new Parc du canal de Soulanges office, at 2 Chemin du Canal, Pointe-des-Cascades.

The project is made possible thanks to the support of the ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec and the MRC of Vaudreuil-Soulanges within the framework of the Entente en développement culturel 2021-2023. We would also like to thank the ministère des Affaires Municipales et de l’Habitation for their support of the Parc du canal de Soulanges’ 2023 operations.

The complete call for applications (french only) is available by following THIS LINK.

Send your complete file(documents assembled in a single pdf document) by email to Marianne Sigouin-Lebel, Executive Director of the Parc du canal de Soulanges(direction@canaldesoulanges.ca), no later than Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

New signage in Pointe-des-Cascades’ Nature Park

New signage for Pointe-des-Cascades’ Nature Park