News

The official opening of the Fernand-Léger Centre was held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, in the presence of the Honourable Glen Savoie, Minister of Local Government and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, the Honourable Réjean Savoie, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation, Benoit Bourque, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kent South, Mayor Jean-Pierre Richard, the municipal council of Champdoré, representatives of the nearby municipalities, the family of the late Fernand Léger, and many volunteers.

Located near the Fernand-Léger Outdoor Rink, the giant snow hill, the pumptrack and Vélo Kent’s trails, this centre will serve as a regional gathering place for the citizens of Champdoré and neighbouring communities for year-round activities. Open since winter 2001, the Fernand-Léger Outdoor Rink was the idea of a few citizens who dreamed of having an outdoor skating rink in Saint-Antoine. A volunteer committee composed of mostly citizens was created to look after the maintenance of the ice surface in order to offer a schedule of winter activities that included skating and hockey/ringette. In 2018, a new giant snow hill, one of the highest in the region, was built. In June 2022, the former Village de Saint-Antoine celebrated the official opening of the pumptrack, a bicycle circuit.

“It is crucial for communities to have access to outdoor amenities, particularly ones that benefit all age groups,” says the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “The Fernand-Léger Centre is an incredible addition to the Town of Champdoré that will improve residents’ quality of life for decades to come. Congratulations to all the volunteers and community members that made this possible.”

“Our government is pleased to be included as a partner in this project. It is important to maintain and expand our infrastructure and continue to invest in recreation if we want vibrant and sustainable communities. Projects like this one really make a difference in people’s lives.” explains the Minister of Local Government and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, the Honourable Glen Savoie.

“Congratulations to the municipality of Champdore on the completion and official opening of the Centre Fernand-Léger. This facility is an important part of this community being both vibrant and sustainable. It supports the well-being of residents of all ages as a centre for recreation and social activities. Today’s opening is the culmination of the hard work of the community as well as the support of federal, provincial, and municipal partners. The Regional Development Corporation is pleased to have been a funding partner in this project.”- Honourable Réjean Savoie, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation

“This project was made possible thanks to the commitment of all levels of government and dedicated volunteers. This municipal facility is an asset to community life that will be used by people of all ages for outdoor physical activity. I would like to thank and acknowledge the support of the provincial and federal governments for a total of $312,288, including $212,562 from the Canada Community Building Fund and $99,726 from the Regional Development Corporation. UNI Coopération financière also deserves a special mention for their $5,000 donation from the Voilà! contest,” says Mayor Jean-Pierre Richard.

The inauguration concluded with the ribbon cutting ceremonykj and the start of the outdoor fun day, which included the following activities: music with Jonathan Bouboul Brun and Guy Godin, skating, sliding, bonfire and fireworks.