Montreal is delaying its swimming area plan at Promenade-Bellerive Park for several years in the wake of a new public health announcement that identifies “numerous problems and health risks” associated with the sector.
The plant management is giving up the opportunity to build the swimming area ahead of major bank rehabilitation works planned for 2028 to 2032.
Public health announcement “This is not good news, we have a lot of work to do to achieve the goal of recognizing swimming,” said Laurence Lavigne Lalonde, director of large parks for Valerie Plante’s management team. . “We’re glad to have some clarity on the risks associated with this project,” he said. “At least now we know where we’re staying.” »
Photo by Hugo-Sébastien Aubert, La Presse Archives
Laurence Lavigne Lalonde is responsible for major parks in Valerie Plante’s management team
Development of a supervised swimming beach open to all at Promenade-Bellerive Park has been in the works for several years. In 2021, the mayor promised to open the following year in 2022.
tuesday, Pres A brand new public health advisory has identified several problems with the plan. The paper concludes that beach soil is contaminated with lead and benzene, water is easily contaminated by sewage, and industrial spills are likely. The Montreal Regional Directorate of Public Health (DRSP) therefore recommended “restricting access to the site and not allowing swimming”, a practice already practiced by some even in the absence of a dedicated area.
As a result, the bathing project was postponed for several years. The Department of Big Parks of the City of Montreal already had a plan to rehabilitate ten kilometers of banks, particularly affecting the Promenade-Bellerive Park. Projected timeline for work: 2028 to 2032. This sector can be cleaned within the framework of this project.
“A temporary one cannot be built, so the project is postponed,” said M.me Lavigne Lalonde. The purpose of the restoration project is to provide water [des berges] “.
In a short time, “Furniture [de plage] Those installed by the district will be removed and moved,” said M. not to encourage visitors to swimme Lavigne Lalonde. “We’re going to move the furniture to a place that doesn’t provide access to the water, but people can still sit, relax and enjoy the view of the river. […] We will not come and put up barricades and wires…” A new poster will also be installed exposing the dangers associated with swimming.
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