The MRCVS adopts the Cultural and Landscape Master Plan for Soulanges Canal Park
A visionary plan born of an innovative competition
This master plan is the result of a competition launched in January 2021 by the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges and the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications. The aim of the competition was to design a vision for the canal’s enhancement that would be anchored in the community and supported by the local population. After a rigorous two-stage process and the examination of numerous proposals by an eight-member jury chaired by Philippe Lupien, professor at UQAM’s School of Design, the Passagers project was chosen. This innovative proposal was conceived by the Collectif Escargo team, in collaboration with the firm Rousseau Lefebvre and Geneviève Murray, museologist and cultural project management consultant.
Passagers : a journey through 23 kilometers of unique experiences
The winning concept revolves around the theme of travel. Passagers offers a 23-kilometer route dotted with discoveries and experiences that invite visitors to return. Each stop becomes an adventure, offering the opportunity to learn an unusual fact, take a fresh look at nature or take part in a captivating collective event. A short video lets you experience the journey proposed by the winner:
A coherent, ambitious vision
The vision developed by the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC is based on three fundamental principles:
– Ambition to create a bold regional signature project
– Coherence to unify the entire canal
– Identity by creating an image specific to the region
The adopted master plan is a comprehensive document that structures the project around five major themes:
– Accessibility, physical links and reception infrastructures
– Recreational activities
– Protection of water and natural environments
– Art, culture, heritage and archaeology
– Urban integration
This document is an invaluable reference tool, both to guide current interventions and to guide the development of the Soulanges Canal over a 30-year horizon. It presents an overall vision through inspiring images and concrete guides on signage, preferred materials, color palettes, lighting, street furniture and vegetation.
A new era for the Soulanges Canal
“The adoption of this plan represents a crucial step in the enhancement of our regional signature project. It is a tool that proposes an ambitious vision for the Soulanges Canal, to make it a dynamic place that supports our collective identity while offering inspiring experiences to visitors and residents alike”, said Patrick Bousez, Prefect of the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges and Mayor of Rivière-Beaudette.
“This plan is the fruit of several years of reflection, collaboration and mobilization. It reflects a shared vision that will guide our actions now and for decades to come. It’s a solid foundation on which we can continue, together, to make the Soulanges Canal a significant and meaningful place for our region,” emphasizes Marianne Sigouin-Lebel, General Manager of the Parc du canal de Soulanges.
About Parc du canal de Soulanges
The Parc du canal de Soulanges is a non-profit organization whose mission is to showcase the heritage of the Soulanges Canal through outdoor activities and culture. An emblem for the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region, it is renowned for its original facilities and rich heritage. Its four-season recreational offer and cultural programming enrich the community’s quality of life and generate significant economic and social spin-offs for the community.
For more information, visit www.canaldesoulanges.ca. You can also follow the Soulanges Canal Park Facebook page.
About the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges
The Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC brings together the 23 municipalities in its 855 km² territory, which stretches from L’Île-Perrot to the Ontario border. Under the political direction of its prefect, Mr. Patrick Bousez, the mission of the MRC aims at consultation, planning and management of the planning and development of its territory according to the principles of sustainable development. Its role as leader and unifier with the main stakeholders in the territory facilitates the coordination of regional actions in four spheres: planning, development, services to municipalities and services to citizens.
The key words of the MRC are plan, concert and act. For more information, visit www.mrcvs.ca.
