The Tribune reported two weeks ago the interest of the Universal Group in the Collège du Mont-Sainte-Anne, located very close to the University of Sherbrooke. Until now it belonged to the congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill.
The transaction includes the Collège du Mont-Sainte-Anne building, sports facilities and adjacent land, indicates the Universal Group in a press release.
The Universal Group did not grant an interview to The Tribune THURSDAY.
In a written response, the firm that manages communications for Groupe Universel assures that the Collège du Mont-Sainte-Anne will maintain its educational vocation and maintain its current educational regime.
Sports infrastructure is also part of the transaction. (Jean Roy/Archives La Tribune)
“The building will be renovated and enhanced, respecting its historical and architectural heritage, to become an ideal place for learning and development,” we add.
In an interview, the director of the Collège du Mont-Sainte-Anne, Olivier Audet, is delighted with the news. “It’s very encouraging for the future.” The survival of Mont-Sainte-Anne is not to be feared, he assures.
He is hopeful that the establishment will retain its identity. “There is nothing that leads me to believe that the identity will not be maintained.”
Both the main building and the sports infrastructures will be renovated. The new owner intends to “liberate[er] the full potential of the arena” so that it becomes “a crossroads of sporting excellence”.
The Universal Group did not want to reveal the amount of the transaction. (Jean Roy/Archives La Tribune)
A page turns
Several elements remain to be attached, explains Olivier Audet, even though he himself learned the news on Thursday. “I am very optimistic for the future of CMSA. What we were told was “don’t think there will be drastic changes overnight”. We’re going to be more focused on how we’re going to continue and improve things. Things will change, but they will happen in order.”
For several years, the challenge for this private school has been to find donors to keep the institution alive. “Finally, we check this off today! The rest, we will take it day by day. We are very open to seeing what the goals are and how we can help and collaborate,” says Mr. Audet.
The Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill founded the Collège du Mont-Sainte-Anne in 1948.
The Universal Group also owns the Collège supérieur de Sherbrooke.
