Elected officials adopted a number of resolutions that will, among other things, enable the Bioparc’s major development project to get underway.
At last night’s regular meeting of the Brossard municipal council, elected officials adopted a number of resolutions that will, among other things, get the major Bioparc development project underway, formalize the city’s opinion on the space needs planning (PPBE) of the Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin (CSS Marie-Victorin), the holding of an outdoor concert by the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM), the rental of watercraft on the Saint-Jacques River this summer, and the replacement of the soccer field surface at parc Poly-aréna. Here is a summary of these decisions.
Bioparc – Green light for plans and specifications
Since 2017, various city departments have been working on the planning of the Bioparc project, an outdoor center of nearly 600 developable hectares (trails and reception area) located in an exceptional natural environment, within the Bois de Brossard. With the arrival of the REM and the projected creation of a metropolitan agricultural park by the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal at the exit of the terminal station, the Bois de Brossard, annexed to this metropolitan park, could become one of the metropolitan region’s major natural parks accessible by public transit.
Over the past few years, the Town has completed a development concept for the reception area and a Trail Master Plan that proposes the following developments:
- Construction of a cottage and development of recreational areas with a signature focus on awareness of natural environments and urban agriculture;
- Four (4) hiking trails totalling 9.1 kilometers;
- A potential multifunctional trail of 1.93 kilometers (included in the 9.1 kilometers);
- Three (3) cross-country ski trails totalling 6.1 kilometers (included in the 9.1 kilometers).
The mandate granted last night by the Board is to produce plans and specifications for the Biopark, obtain authorizations from the Ministère de l’Environnement and oversee the construction of the first section of trails in 2023.
“After extensive planning and conceptualization work by our teams at the City, I’m pleased to confirm that this mandate represents an important milestone towards the concrete realization of our long-dreamed-of Biopark,” said Mayor Doreen Assaad.
City asks CSS Marie-Victorin to redo its homework
Under recent amendments to the Education Act (LIP), CSS Marie-Victorin is required to produce an annual Space Planning Project (PPBE). This is where the CSS Marie-Victorin indicates its expansion plans, as well as new constructions that will require new land. Once submitted, Ville de Brossard has 45 days to give its opinion, failing which the project is deemed accepted by the city.
However, Ville de Brossard rejects the PPBE presented because it considers the forecasts to be incomplete and likely to be lower than the real needs to come in the next few years. In addition, the PPBE proposes a type of school development that does not take into account the economic reality of the area, i.e. the high cost of land, the densification of the territory and the mix of uses.
The city also wants the CSS Marie-Victorin to conduct an in-depth analysis of its facilities (land and buildings) to demonstrate that they cannot meet the space requirements for future school facilities. Finally, the Town recommends to the CSS Marie-Victorin and the Ministry of Education that space requirements be planned on a medium- and long-term basis.
“We are aware of the growing needs of the Centre de services scolaires Marie-Victorin, and we understand them very well. However, school planning is not a 45-day process and must allow for a global analysis of the situation. We face many challenges that must be taken into consideration. Let’s not forget that Brossard is 90% built-up and that the parks are fully utilized. Potentially usable vacant lots are rare, and their value has increased at an accelerated rate in recent years,” said Mayor Assaad.
On the road to summer: the OSM and watercraft return to the Saint-Jacques River
Two resolutions adopted at the meeting are a sign of the approaching summer season.
First, the Board members were delighted to authorize the OSM to come to Brossard this summer for an outdoor classical music concert as part of the OSM in the Parks program. “I’m delighted to see the OSM return to Brossard after two summers of absence due to the pandemic. So it’s a date for Tuesday, July 26!” said Doreen Assaad.
The Board also authorized the maintenance of a boat rental service and non-motorized nautical activities on the Saint-Jacques River, for the period from June 18 to September 18, 2022. Once again this year, this service will offer residents privileged access to the Saint-Jacques River and the protected area of the St. Lawrence River, through the rental of a variety of boats: paddleboards, solo kayaks, double kayaks and canoes.
New synthetic surface at Poly-Aréna Park
The current soccer field surface at Poly-Aréna Park has reached the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. However, work will begin in August to maintain access to the field and the wider site for the following events between July 15 and August 17, 2022: Soccer Challenge, Cultural Feast and OSM concert.
To stay in touch with the board
Each council meeting is broadcast live on the City of Brossard’s YouTube channel and on council. The minutes of the last meeting will be available on this page in the next few days.
