Mr. Blanchette challenged the elected officials of Sherbrooke during the last municipal council meeting last Tuesday. “I wanted to remind them of the urgency of the situation,” he explains in an interview with The Tribune. We want to ensure that we will be able to offer the best services for the 2025 season.”
Mr. Blanchette hopes that the City will grant an exemption so that his organization can store its boats near the river next summer. “I think we should do everything to grant this,” assures the municipal councilor of the sector, Paul Gingues. To save the 2025 season first and foremost.”
For Mr. Gingues, “there is an urgency to act”. “I don’t feel the political will around the municipal council. Are elected officials misinformed? When Mr. Blanchette came to the municipal council last week, I think it aroused a little more sympathy from elected officials,” he believes.
The fire caused significant damage to the roof of the building. (Maxime Picard/Archives, La Tribune)
According to Mr. Blanchette, no boost was provided in the last budget of the City of Sherbrooke. “Following the fire, the mayor said that additional help needed to be provided for us. But unfortunately, the budget was adopted and nothing was planned for the club. Funds were already provided for the maintenance of existing buildings, but nothing was adopted concerning the fire,” specifies the president of the Nautical Club.
The University District councilor explains that the last capital budget was passed before the fire. “Can we turn this around? It’s urgent!” he assures, adding that the next master plan is on the agenda… in 2026.
“Couldn’t we move forward with this master plan and look at what we’re preparing in the next five-year capital plan?” he asks, referring to the entire Lucien-Blanchard Park.
For him, this park and the Nautical Club “are places which are intended for the general population, day camps, nautical camps and Excellence sportive Sherbrooke athletes”. “We also talk about sports tourism with the competitions they organize,” adds the advisor.
As for reconstruction or renovation, Mr. Gingues believes that the decision should be taken on the sidelines of a “global reflection” on Lucien-Blanchard Park.
Nicolas Blanchette believes that there are security issues around this building.
“With the heavy snow, the building risks falling. If they decide to renovate it, they need to improve the structure to support the roof. If they decide to destroy, it must be done as quickly as possible to avoid security issues on the site.”
— Nicolas Blanchette
Nautical Club registrations will open in February. Activities with schools are already planned.
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