The Tandem Mauricie organization, currently neighboring the CPE Premiers pas, will ultimately not move to the premises formerly occupied by Laferté Bicycles, a few meters further. The municipal council ultimately decided not to ratify the regulatory modification which would have allowed the use of “STI and drug screening and prevention services” at the premises located at 1513, rue Laviolette.
Tandem Mauricie had been looking for new premises for over a year. The organization had visited several premises, but no other premises met Tandem’s needs and responsibility to remain close to the community.
In recent weeks, residents of the neighborhood have come forward to the municipal councilor of the Marie-de-l’Incarnation district, Richard W. Dober, to oppose Tandem purchasing the almost neighboring building. A petition to this effect bringing together more than 200 names was also given to the municipal councilor.
“The relocation would have taken place less than 50 meters away. It is certain that for citizens, it was difficult to understand the logic of moving two doors away, indicates the mayor of Trois-Rivières, Jean Lamarche. We will look at how we can support Tandem Mauricie moving forward, because this project has its reason for being. For our part, our job will be to support it by changing zoning. The process will be done with Public Health and the organization. »
Around ten people took part in the public consultation meeting on October 7 to express their views on the possible move of the organization. We knew that cohabitation between the organization fighting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STIs) and safe consumption and the neighboring CPE was difficult. Seeing the organization wish to set up a few meters further away, however, did not reassure the parents whose child attends the CPE or the educators.
The council’s decision to refuse the regulatory modification initially envisaged implies that the current uses of the building will remain unchanged. Consequently, the organization will not be able to install its services there and will therefore remain in its current premises.
The CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec and Public Health will support Tandem Mauricie to help it find new premises that meet its needs and those of users.
“For me, Tandem is an organization that needs larger premises. It is our role to welcome this need. The ideal scenario would be for the organization and the CIUSSS to find a location and then come and meet with us to develop a game plan, because it is certain that this will affect one of our districts, raises Dany Carpentier, municipal councilor of the district of La-Vérendrye. It will be important that we show solidarity. »
“It’s certain that this is not the type of organization that you put in an industrial park,” notes the mayor. It has to be close to users, but there is a way to do it correctly. »
