The people of Saint-Sauveur (in the Hautes-Terres) almost unanimously approved the project of businesswoman, Caroline Ayoub, who wants to breathe new life into the old school in their locality.
Mayor Denis Landry, who participated in the “information session” held at the local Senior Citizens Club on Sunday, and to which the population had been invited, did not expect so much. . A packed audience, a knowledgeable promoter and a project that could reach $5 million: what more could you ask for?
Mr. Landry, in an interview, said he was happily surprised by the interest of his fellow citizens.
“There were maybe 110 to 120 people. It was full!”
Caroline Ayoub, who owns a grocery store in Saint-Isidore, also owned the Saint-Sauveur convenience store which was destroyed by a fire in 2020. She offered to buy the school and the adjacent playground for a dollar.
In return, she undertook to transform the building to install a grocery store, a lunch counter, a hardware store and nine apartments for seniors.
A gas station should complete the project.
When the municipality of Hautes-Terres acquired the school in January, it mainly wanted to preserve the playgrounds, but Ms. Ayoub indicated that this part of the property would be required for her project.
Some games would be retained, but others would disappear to make way for parking and a rest area.
The people present did not object to this possibility, indicated the mayor of Hautes-Terres. A resident, who lives nearby, even claimed that the games did not attract anyone.
Selling for a dollar
However, the sale of the school at the “symbolic” price of one dollar sparked comments. As the municipality paid $50,000 to acquire this property, not including legal costs, some see it as a loss.
“We (the municipality) said “yes” to that,” replied Mr. Landry, but someone exclaimed: “Yes, but this is our tax money! »»
The mayor then explained that property taxes, on a building renovated at a cost of several million dollars, would allow his municipality to recover the amount spent very quickly.
“It’s a return on investment,” he said. And $75,000 (the approximate total of the purchase price and fees) is almost nothing for us, when we see the figures (from the municipal budget). On the other hand, it will revive your community.”
On the other hand, the transfer of the school to the promoter will be accompanied by conditions.
“The agreement will be conditional on Ms. Ayoub building what she says, or in part,” Mr. Landry took care to specify.
These questions resolved, he asked the room if they accepted the project. The response was unanimous.
“Everyone stood up with their hands in the air. Everyone agreed,” said the mayor. Afterwards, people congratulated Ms. Ayoub and gave her hugs.
The first work will begin once the transfer deed has been signed. According to what Mr. Landry has learned, everything will be completed within two years. However, the grocery store could open its doors before a year.
Moreover, Ms. Ayoub reported on Sunday that she hoped to have the gasoline and gasoline (diesel) tanks installed before the ground began to freeze at the start of winter, so that the sale petroleum products can begin as soon as possible.
