JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1019 Report

What does a large multi-purpose athletic complex go for these days?

If it’s the St. Lazare Sports Complex, it’s $8.9 million. That is the asking price for the 70,000-square-foot complex that has been put up for sale last month. And is already drawing considerable interest.

Opened in 2006, the facility is the only indoor ice rink in St. Lazare. It also has a synthetic-turf indoor soccer pitch, a fitness centre, a dance studio and sports bar, as well as spaces for osteopathy and massage therapy.

There has been no shortage of interest in the property, said Joe Rullier, executive vice-president at Colliers International, who is brokering the sale. Rullier said there are already two offers on the table. The town of St. Lazare is not one of them.

The town, however, is one of the complex’s largest customers. During the municipal council meeting last month, elected officials unanimously passed a motion to renew the town’s lease agreement with the complex. The lease renewal, which will run from September 2024 until April 2028, is for a maximum of $817,725.

The current owners of the sportsplex, a five-person limited partnership, are ready to take a step back, said David Laventure, one of the owners.

“It’s just time,” Laventure said, adding that the partners are getting older and have owned the sports complex for nearly two decades.

Two of the original partners have died in recent years. Owners Bill Giblin and John-Paul Longlade passed away in September 2020 and June 2023, respectively.

The complex is in good shape and does not face the need for any major structural repairs, said Julie Daoust, the complex’s director-general. Though the complex requires regular upkeep and maintenance work, she said that no investments are needed for any extensive restoration. Both Daoust and Laventure were adamant that the sale of the building would not cause any interruptions in the schedules of the various leagues, games other activities that take place at the complex.