Construction work completed in Bélanger-Chateaubriand public park: upgraded park ready for Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie residents

Press release

Montréal, September 2nd, 2011   Earlier today, with Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie borough officials and representatives in attendance, the chairman of the STM board, Michel Labrecque, symbolically handed the key to Bélanger – Châteaubriand public park over to borough mayor François W. Croteau.

Mr. Labrecque reminded everyone that “at the end of 2009, the STM undertook construction work in the park to replace a ventilation unit for the Montréal métro, which took some 21 months,” and insisted that “replacing equipment that had reached the end of its service life had presented the STM with an opportunity to revitalize the park, in collaboration with Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie borough, in order to better meet the needs of neighbourhood residents. I hope that citizens enjoy going to their new park, and I want to extend a warm thank you to them for their cooperation throughout the construction period.”

The park now features a play set for children 1 to 5 years old, another one for older children 6 to 12 years old, swing sets, and water sprays to cool off the kids. Adults were not overlooked either, as five park benches were added, as well as a lighting system, making the park’s rest areas safer for people out for a stroll. Lastly, shrubs and several flower beds planted with perennials were added around pedestrian walkways and between trees.

“The landscaping work required a lot of effort, but we are very pleased with the results. Already, many neighbourhood children have started to enjoy the new play areas with their parents. Without a doubt, the new park is now a definite plus for neighbourhood living,” declared borough mayor, François W. Croteau.

“Thanks to all this work, the leading-edge technology we installed 18 metres below ground will help improve the comfort and safety of métro passengers. I also want to praise all the stakeholders for their cooperation, which made it possible for us to carry out this project while minimizing the construction work’s impact on the neighbourhood. Its seamless integration into the environment makes it virtually impossible to detect the ventilation unit. Finally, I can only emphasize how proud we are that the work cost $15.1 M, well within the allowed $16.7 M budget, and on schedule,” concluded Mr. Labrecque.

Construction work for the ventilation unit is part of the Réno-Système program aimed at improving the métro’s current ventilation system, and that up to 75% of construction costs are funded by Transport Québec.

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