The investment of $3.9 million will make it possible to replace the current center which no longer met the needs of the community. Work began on March 20 and the building should be delivered by March 2023.
The future Agnico Eagle multifunctional complex in Preissac.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Martin Guindon
The new building will be adjacent to the indoor skating rink. Covering an area of 9,000 square feet on two levels, it will include a community hall that can accommodate 200 people, changing rooms, offices, a kitchen and premises for local organizations. It will also be able to accommodate up to 200 citizens in the event of a disaster.
We already had a community center that was obsolete. Since 2017, we have been working on this project with the firm TRAME. We made sketches. We formed a working committee. We surveyed our population, to find out if we wanted an infrastructure of the 2020s and beyond, and people said yes. But there was always the recommendation of the committee which said that the share of the population should not exceed 15% of the project
recalls Mayor Donald Rheault.
Mayor Donald Rheault, with the Agnico Eagle Multipurpose Complex under construction in the background.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Martin Guindon
The latter underlined the work of his municipal team with the various financial partners in order to reduce the share of the citizens of Preissac to 5.3% of the project costs, or $205,000.
I’m going to say like my dad used to say, we’re belt and braces. We respect the recommendation of the committee, we are at 5% in our participation. I think that citizens will also be happy about that, saying to themselves that there will be no tax increases. That is excluded, in any case from our orientation of the municipal council
argues Mayor Rheault, who had a thought for his predecessor, the late Stephan Lavoie, who wanted to carry out this project.
Quebec gets involved
MNA for Abitibi-Ouest, Suzanne Blais, announced financial assistance of $2.4 million on behalf of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Andrée Laforest. The grant comes from the Municipal infrastructure repair and construction program.
It was a project that I thought was important to support, because when I entered politics, I met Mr. Stephan Lavoie, who made me happy to talk to me about his magnificent project which was the multifunctional center of Preissac
emphasizes Suzanne Blais.
Suzanne Blais, MP for Abitibi-Ouest. (archives)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Lise Millette
The prefect of the MRC d’Abitibi, Sébastien D’Astous, welcomed this financial support and the initiative of the community of Preissac. I remember the public consultations, the people who stood up to have a community center up to date, renovated, healthy, a place to gather four seasons a year. It is important for your community. You are able to do great things, you deserve it, it’s a great project, I want to congratulate you
did he declare.
Other financial partners
Other partners support the project financially. Canada Economic Development confirms its contribution of $495,000 via the Canadian Community Revitalization Fund. The Municipality of Preissac also allocates $478,000 from the Gas Tax Program and the Quebec contribution.
Christian Goulet, General Manager of the LaRonde Mining Complex, revealed that the Multifunctional Complex would bear the name Agnico Eagle.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Martin Guindon
Agnico Eagle Mining also donated $250,000 to the project in 2018, as part of its 60th anniversary. Many of our workers, and I include myself in that, will be among the users of this complex, but we are convinced that this element will also allow us to attract new workers for our projects and to continue the reputation of Preissac, which is a good place to live
said Christian Goulet, general manager of the LaRonde mining complex, located in Preissac.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca