Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac

Major Expansion and Renovation for Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac Community Center

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,
Major Expansion and Renovation for Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac Community Center

Maria Diamantis-LJI Journalist

On March 12, 2024, the City of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac officially announced the beginning of a significant project to expand and renovate its community center, marking a new chapter in the city’s commitment to improving public services and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

Project Details

During an extraordinary session on March 7, 2024, the municipal council confirmed the awarding of the construction contract to Groupe Piché, chosen from five bidders for its competitive offer. The project, with a budget of $8.9 million, allocates $7.4 million to construction work and $1.5 million to professional fees, equipment, and miscellaneous expenses. It’s noteworthy that the project is partially funded by a $7.6 million grant from the 2019-2024 Gas Tax and Quebec Contribution Program (TECQ), underscoring the project’s significance and the support it has garnered.

Construction is set to begin at the end of March, with a completion timeline stretching to December 2024. This ambitious schedule reflects the city’s dedication to swiftly addressing the needs of its growing population.

A Response to Community Needs

The decision to expand and renovate the community center comes in response to the evolving needs of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac’s residents and local organizations. The current facilities, built in the 1990s, no longer meet the community’s demands due to increased population and the need for more versatile and functional spaces. The project aligns with the city’s long-term vision of providing high-quality public services and fostering community ties.

Planned Improvements

The renovation and expansion efforts will modernize the existing structure, bringing the older sections up to code and reorganizing spaces for enhanced functionality. The project will introduce new municipal services locations, additional spaces for community use, and several upgrades, including:

An increased total area of approximately 2200 square meters.

A new multifunctional space on the ground floor, alongside updated archives room, recreational areas, and six new offices for community organizations with dedicated storage.

A new area for the Cercle de Fermières and additional showers for the City’s Emergency Measures Coordination Center, highlighting the importance of preparedness in the face of climate change-related weather challenges.

The second floor will see the relocation of the Land Use Planning and Sustainable Development Service to address space shortages at city hall, three fully renovated community rooms with a stage for events, a commercial kitchen, and a new IT server room.

Leadership and Contractor Comments

Mayor François Robillard expressed pride and optimism about the project, stating, “This is extremely promising for the population and community organizations of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac who will benefit from a new, more functional, modern building that better meets their needs. These significant changes will also substantially improve the daily operations of various municipal services.”

About Groupe Piché

Groupe Piché stands as a leading figure in the Quebec and Canadian construction markets, specializing in general contracting and interior systems for institutional, commercial, and industrial sectors. With four branches across the country, the company is known for its commitment to executing ambitious projects within set deadlines and exceeding client expectations, ensuring the community center’s renovation and expansion will be in capable hands.

Major Expansion and Renovation for Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac Community Center Read More »

New Collective Agreement Signed for the Deux-Montagnes/Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac Intermunicipal Fire Service

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,
New Collective Agreement Signed for the Deux-Montagnes/Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac Intermunicipal Fire Service

Maria Diamantis-LJI Journalist

After just over three months of negotiations, the City of Deux-Montagnes announced the signing of a new collective agreement for the Deux-Montagnes/Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac Intermunicipal Fire Service. Spanning five years, the agreement is retroactive to January 1st and will expire on December 31, 2028.
The administration and the union reached an agreement following a brief negotiation process conducted with respect and openness. “I want to thank all the participants at the negotiation table for their commitment and valuable collaboration throughout this process, which allowed us to quickly conclude an agreement and continue our common objectives,” stated Denis Martin, the mayor of Deux-Montagnes.
Jean-François Chartrand-Daoust, president of the Quebec firefighters’ union (SCFP 7191), Deux-Montagnes local section, also expressed satisfaction with the new collective agreement. “The Deux-Montagnes firefighters’ union is very proud of the agreement reached, which was accepted by a large majority of the members. I thank, on their behalf, the city’s general management and the union executive for the work accomplished and the smooth process.”
This marks the second collective agreement since the implementation of a full-time firefighter structure three years ago. It covers 16 permanent firefighters and 8 temporary firefighters. The City of Deux-Montagnes provides its fire safety services to the City of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac under an agreement.

New Collective Agreement Signed for the Deux-Montagnes/Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac Intermunicipal Fire Service Read More »

Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac Secures Additional $8 Million for Dike Renovation

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Maria Diamantis- LJA journalist

In a significant financial boost for Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Mayor François Robillard announced the successful acquisition of an additional $8 million in funding from the Quebec government. This increase brings the total grant to $48.8 million, earmarked for the essential strengthening, elevation, and waterproofing of the city’s dike.

For two years, intense negotiations have persisted between Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac and the Quebec government over the funding for the dike renovation project. Initially, the city was slated to receive $40.8 million but has now secured $48.8 million, covering 89% of the total costs and interests incurred since the commencement of the works.

A major point of contention during the negotiations was the ownership of the dike. The Ministry of Environment, Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife, and Parks demanded that the city assume ownership – a proposal initially refused by the city. This stance was rooted in the belief that the new dike was a replacement for the one established under a 1978 agreement with the government.

Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, facing financial pressure, had to undertake a temporary loan of $40.8 million to finance the dike works. The loan’s interest payments, initially $60,000 per month, doubled to $120,000 by early 2022 due to rising interest rates. This escalation in costs necessitated a resolution to prevent further strain on the city’s finances.

After prolonged discussions, the Quebec government initially proposed an increase of $750,000 to the grant, bringing it to $41.55 million. However, this offer failed to cover the accruing interests. Further negotiations led to the government’s agreement to increase the grant to $48.8 million, contingent on the city accepting ownership of the dike. Reluctantly, the city agreed to this condition.

Mayor Robillard expressed disappointment over the transfer of dike ownership but emphasized the need for responsible management to prevent financial risks to the city and its residents. He expressed pride and relief in securing an additional $8 million over the initial grant. The mayor also highlighted that the dike, now a municipal structure, will require the city to bear maintenance and repair costs. He stressed the importance of government collaboration, given the dike’s location in the Quebec hydric domain.

With the additional funding and resolution of ownership issues, Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac can now move forward from this challenging chapter in its history. The city’s residents and administration can look ahead to a fortified and secure future, thanks to the collaborative efforts and persistent negotiations that have culminated in this substantial funding increase.

Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac Secures Additional $8 Million for Dike Renovation Read More »

Scroll to Top