Places sold like hotcakes, with some guests not hesitating to drive several hours to be there. The evening raised $33,000 out of a goal of $50,000. The money will be used to revalidate the global geopark certification with UNESCO. Inspectors from France and Ireland will visit in July to assess the installations. In 2022, certain criteria were deemed insufficient. In particular, it will be necessary to improve tourist signage, create an international showcase, review promotional efforts, as well as develop a clear five-year development plan for conservation and education actions. The decision whether or not to renew UNESCO certification will be known in the fall.
“It requires costs and this year we were a little shorts. We will be able to close the budget with this dinner, to allow inspectors to see that we have done things well,” explains Daniel Leboeuf, president of the board of directors of the Percé Geopark.
Ricardo, Percéen
If the most popular chef in Quebec agreed to be the honorary president of Saturday evening, it is because he has recently returned to his roots. Originally from Cap-Chat, Ricardo Larrivee moved from the north side to the south side of Gaspésie. Last year, he bought Maison Biard, a heritage building, with his partner Brigitte Coutu.
Let us recall that in 1901, the Jersey resident Charles Biard had established his fishing business as well as Biard’s Beach Hotel on the shore of Anse du Nord. Today, of this estate with its many cabins, only the house remains. It was acquired in 2003 by Laval University for educational and artistic training purposes, then put back on sale in 2022.
The dinner concocted by Ricardo Larrivee and the team of chef Christophe Mamelonet of Maison du Pêcheur raised $33,000 for the benefit of the Percé Geopark. (Jean-Philippe Thibault, special collaboration)
“When I saw that the house was abandoned, I spoke to real estate agents and they told me that several Ontarians and Americans were interested,” explains the entrepreneur. But I wanted it to stay here, to restore it and save it. If we no longer have it, I know that this house will be saved for generations to come, that other Gaspé residents will live in it. It’s important for Brigitte and me. And the idea is not to say that I come for three weeks in the summer. I want to come when I feel like it, when my children are here. I came this winter; I’m here I want to be here as soon as I can.”
In the same vein, the decision to chair a fundraising dinner for the Geopark was a natural part of a desire to actively live in Percé and be an engaged citizen in his community.
“I accepted spontaneously. I go to the Geopark all the time with all my guests and my family when they come to see me in Gaspésie. I want it to be there for a long time; for generations to come. If I can do something as a citizen of Percé, I’ll get on board. There aren’t many geoparks like this around the world. We must save it, but above all make it sustainable.”
— Ricardo Larrivee
Ricardo also recalled how lucky a city like Percé is to live in a bucolic environment that is the envy of several tourist destinations around the world, with its famous rock and its natural riches. Hence the relevance of taking care of it.
“There are people from China, Japan, Spain, and Grève who dream of one day seeing this beauty. Next time, when we get together, we don’t want it to be to save something, but to celebrate it.”
The worst is behind
In August, The sun reported the resignation of the Director General of the Geopark, just four months after taking office. This had mentioned “a technical bankruptcy” and the need for “a complete financial restructuring” in the short term. In 2022, the deficit had been $350,000.
Since then, a new general manager has been hired and the organization is looking ahead. Profits of tens of thousands of dollars were made last year. “After two years with accumulated deficits, we returned to profitability with a slight profit,” explained Daniel Leboeuf recently. We also expect a profit in 2025. I believe the worst is behind us.” The strong mobilization on Saturday evening is perhaps proof of this.
