Nelson Sergerie

NEW CARLISLE – The Ministry of Culture is unable to provide a timeline for the restoration work on the Maison René-Lévesque or the associated costs.

In the past, the ministry mentioned that work would be starting this coming spring, but the plans have visibly changed.

By email, the ministry specifies that since taking charge in September 2021, inspections and asset maintenance work have been carried out continuously, including more substantial interventions to secure the premises and stop the deterioration of the building.

“The interventions carried out include securing the premises, repairing the roof (rafters and covering), replacing uprights and top plates, restoring the heating and controlling humidity,” writes the ministry, which indicates that approximately $105,000 has been invested to date to carry out this work and for various expertise.

The ministry plans to carry out new work in the coming months. This time it is aimed at renovating the foundation, as well as restoration and enhancement work on the building.

“To do this, the ministry must call on various experts. These expert consultations and the planning of the restoration work may take some time, but it is necessary to ensure optimal presentation of the René-Lévesque house,” specifies the email.

The ministry is still working on drafting a needs program, which began after receiving the health state record of the house in fall 2022. This document estimated all the work to be carried out at $800,000.
A program is being developed bringing together data on the current building and its planned use, precisely defining its problems and ways to remedy them.

“It is an essential tool for the continuation of a construction project, as well as with a view to future calls for tenders necessary for its completion,” specifies the organization, adding that it is a “long-term work”.

Lack of communication between the ministry and the region

“We were told by the monitoring committee of René Lévesque’s childhood home that the file is still under investigation to assess the state of the house. There is no advance date for the start of the work,” deplores the president of Espace René-Lévesque, Gaétan Lelièvre, who is requesting a meeting of the committee to assess the situation.

“There are partners who ask a lot of questions and who are eager to see the game plan, but especially regarding the purpose of the building. While waiting for the results of the assessment, nothing prevents the ministry from working with partners to find out what the vocation will be in the future,” adds Mr. Lelièvre.
The stakeholders would not like to have a solution imposed on them, hence the request for the meeting, which would only be the second of its kind for the committee.

The discussions and work regarding the potential requalification of the premises are being carried out in collaboration with local stakeholders, including Espace René-Lévesque. Different scenarios are being analyzed, maintains the ministry.

“This is why the total planned budget cannot be disclosed at this time. Ultimately, it is hoped that the final project will ensure the sustainability of the house, while respecting its heritage values,” specifies the ministry.

The ministry ensures that continuous monitoring of the building is carried out, and maintenance work is performed as needed to ensure its preservation. These efforts will continue until the restoration work begins.

Mr. Lelièvre notes that the Minister of Culture, Mathieu Lacombe, spoke about enhancing the building and providing access to the public.

“Let us hope that this development and this access to the public is done in such a way that as many people as possible have access to it, that it is not just a rental for tourist clientele or offices, which would significantly restrict access to the building,” he mentions.

“The condition of the building is incredibly bad. I can’t wait to see the results of the different experts. Can this building be saved in part, in whole, or will it be a practically complete construction? These are questions that we ask ourselves and we don’t know what’s going on inside,” says Mr. Lelièvre.

As for the words used on the fact that it is “desirable” that the final project ensures the sustainability of the house, Mr. Lelièvre says that we must act quickly.

“This casts doubt about the real capacity to save the building, hence the importance of carrying out the assessments as quickly as possible. The word “desirable” raises doubts in people’s heads,” notes the president of Espace René-Lévesque.

Mr. Lelièvre was informed that the ministry must be convened soon.