The financial participation of the MAMH will allow, among other things, to support the creation of the Soulanges Canal Park organization, the improvement of recreational facilities as well as the implementation of new activities and infrastructures along the canal and the Soulanges bicycle path. These actions will be guided by the first-ever Plan d’aménagement culturel et paysager du Parc du canal de Soulanges, which will be delivered in the summer of 2022, following an architectural competition conducted in collaboration with the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec in 2021. Under the name Passengersthe plan and the projects that will result from it promise visitors and citizens a memorable experience based on the enhancement of industrial, architectural, ecological and landscape heritage.
“This is great news! I am very pleased that MAMH’s financial contribution can help the Soulanges Canal Park. This is a wonderful and historic enhancement to the revitalization of the canal area. After all these years, this is a great moment for our region. Finally, this heritage site is managed by and for our community. The Soulanges Canal is an absolutely beautiful place with great potential for development. This announcement is particularly heartwarming because this park will be part of our regional jewel and an enrichment as I have always wished” declares Mrs. Marilyne Picard, députée de Soulanges, adjointe parlementaire du ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux.
“Officially launched in 2021 following the signing of historic agreements between the MRC Vaudreuil-Soulanges and the ministère des Transports du Québec, as well as with the municipalities of Pointe-des-Cascades, Les Cèdres, Coteau-du-Lac, Les Coteaux and with the Société de gestion Parc du canal de Soulanges, the project will create around this heritage infrastructure an emblematic place for Vaudreuil-Soulanges and the Montérégie. With 120 years of history, a territory covering more than 100 hectares and a unique heritage, the Soulanges Canal Park is a regional development pole for recreation and tourism in the making,” said Patrick Bousez, prefect of the MRC and mayor of Rivière-Beaudette.
“We are very happy that the Soulanges Canal Park can finally take off! After several years of preparation, the participation of the MAMH and the MRC, as well as the support of the community, allow us to officially launch the project. The FRR will allow us to achieve our objectives of developing the canal through culture, heritage and outdoor activities. This is a great moment for the region,” says Karina Verdon, president of the Parc du canal de Soulanges Board of Directors.
About the Soulanges Canal
Opened in 1899, the Soulanges Canal links lakes Saint-Louis and Saint-François over a length of 23.5 kilometers and a width of 45 metres. The canal has 5 locks, for a difference in level of 25 meters. Closed to navigation in 1959, it crosses four municipalities in the region: Pointe-des-Cascades, Les Cèdres, Coteau-du-Lac and Les Coteaux.
About the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges
The Vaudreuil-Soulanges RCM 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.
Source: press release from the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC, June 30, 2022
Main photo credit: Étienne Lamoureux
