The voluntary organization GIRAM is calling for a moratorium on the “totally unreasonable” idea of demolishing the old Colisée in Quebec. Its president also expresses doubts regarding Mayor Marchand’s stated preference to build housing there.
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The Group of Initiatives and Applied Research in the Environment (GIRAM) unveiled Wednesday morning its proposal to preserve the old arena to develop a National Museum of Transport, Innovation and Technology.
Its president, Pierre-Paul Sénéchal, admitted to being “a little more in agreement” with the comments of Limoilou councilor Jackie Smith, “to the effect that it is not an environment, I would say, very conducive to residential construction.
“It is a quadrilateral which has its vocation [d’exposition et de manifestation publique] for 100 years and it’s very monumental next to it, the Videotron Center, all the buildings here are monumental. There are parking lots,” said Mr. Sénéchal.
Photo Dominique Lelièvre
Remember that in our pages, on Tuesday, the head of Transition Québec said in particular that she feared that a residential area would be affected by “nuisances” coming from the Videotron Center, the railway line and the nearby industrial park.
“No pace”
GIRAM is asking for a moratorium so that its Museum proposal can be analyzed and the mandate of the Quebec City Planning and Conservation Commission can be extended and expanded to study a possible reconversion of the building.
This must produce an opinion on the heritage value of the arena by December 20.
“For us, it makes no sense that on December 20, a few people decide on the partial or total demolition of a building like this with what it can offer,” said Mr. Sénéchal .
According to GIRAM, “the idea of demolishing a building which has its own history and which enjoys the attachment of its population is totally unreasonable.”
Inspired by the Biodôme
Pierre-Paul Sénéchal explained that the idea of the Transport Museum was inspired in particular by the former Montreal Vélodrome, which we did not know what to do with after the Olympic Games and which became an unmissable tourist attraction, the Biodôme.
Flanked by an architect and representatives of the Prévost and Fecteau entrepreneurial families, he deplored the fact that Quebec engineering is too little highlighted while Quebec is, for example, a global aerospace hub.
This museum would highlight Quebec’s prowess and heritage in the field of transport by air, land and sea.
Due to its national character, it would fall under the jurisdiction of the Quebec state, which would be called upon to invest in the project. GIRAM also recommends that the Ministry of Culture take up the matter.
“What would Quebec be today and especially the development of northern Quebec if it had not been for bush aviation? What would intermunicipal transportation be without Prévost?” asked Mr. Sénéchal to illustrate the relevance of his proposal.
It is an “ambitious” project, but “at the height of a capital”, he pleads.
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