Villa Frederick-James in Percé: consultations are over

Gaspé MP Stéphane Sainte-Croix maintains that a more precise plan will be presented in the coming weeks.

The heritage building, which was to be part of the CAQ’s Espaces Bleus museum network, before the government abandoned its initiative, must still find a new vocation.

Different groups in Percé were consulted to find out their opinion on the issue.

The deputy for Gaspé, Stéphane Sainte-Croix, ensures that the architectural integrity of the building, whose rehabilitation began in 2022, will be preserved and that the artistic community will be taken into account.

We toured our stakeholders, we sent our findings to the Ministry of Culture, and there are currently discussions between the Ministry of Culture, SÉPAQ and at the community level to see how we can achieve a way of creating a process that can respond to all stakeholdershe said.

Stéphane Sainte-Croix maintains that a more precise plan will be presented in the coming weeks.

Questioned on this subject, the elected official was not able to specify the exact amount which will be allocated to the new vocation of Villa Frederick-James. The nature of the project will influence the budget attached to ithe simply declared.

Collective consultation requested

Gabrielle Lauzon, director of the Le Chafaud museum, highlights the initiative even if she said surprise that the consultation is over.

She also reiterates the need for collective consultation with other cultural organizations in the region. Because if several groups were consulted one by one, they were promised a group meeting, which has still not taken place, according to Gabrielle Lauzon.

[On veut] Simply to be kept up to date with what this place would become and potentially a [échéancier], so when can it be in office… and more information regarding financing in particular. We know that it cost a lot of money, we’re talking about $25.5 million even though the cultural community is struggling… she explains.

Le Chafaud might be interested in exhibiting his collection in the building, but he is not the only one.

Several organizations could need a location, so several people have interest in this location. The space of the Villa Frederick-James has been renovated according to current museum conditions. It’s still rarespecifies Ms. Lauzon.

Gabrielle Lauzon wants, first and foremost, for the project to be sustainable and to promote cultural influence in the region.

For her part, Percé Mayor Cathy Poirier declined our interview request.

With the collaboration of Joane Bérubé