A magnificent “identity park”, but at a high price in Lévis

In front of a crowd of guests, the ministers Bernard Drainville and Jonatan Julien, as well as the mayor of Lévis Gilles Lehouillier, inaugurated the new Park du Chemin de River on Wednesday morning. Meanwhile,

Happy to “give back access to the river to citizens”. Furthermore, the elected officials multiplied the congratulations, stressing the transformation of the site, which went from concrete parking to a magnificent “identity park”.

But. Consequently, despite the right words and smiles of the ribbon cut, the realization of the project was far from being as simple as expected. Similarly,

First announced in 2019, the Pointe-Benson site started only in the summer of 2023. Furthermore, It finally cost 18 million in total, twice as much as the nine million planned at the start.

From this amount. For example, the city of Lévis, which initially planned to pay two million, will have had to pay 11 million in its boxes. Consequently,

The remaining seven million have been assumed by the National Capital Commission. In addition, the contribution of which has not changed since the start of the project. Similarly,

The Lehouillier administration explains the delays. magnificent “identity park”, but high Therefore, the increase in costs by the context of the pandemic, the inflationary wave which followed it and the modifications made to the project as a result of citizen consultations. In addition,

The mayor also explains that. Furthermore, despite a “significant revision of the scope of the project” made by the city after exempt bounted in 2022, the park is “twice as large” as initially planned. Furthermore,

Lévis also points to the redevelopment of the River Chemin. Consequently, the work of the river to explain the high note for Lévis. However,

Gilles Lehouillier insists that the price has remained reasonable despite everything. He specifies that the “final version” of the park. the “revised” milling, was made respecting the fixed budget to the letter.

“It is a collective choice that we made in good knowledge of the facts, in all transparency,” assured the mayor.

“I am sure that the population of Lévis […] supports the development of the river and its tributaries. All the people I meet say to me: “Wow, it’s extraordinary, it’s great”. “

“The development of the river and tributaries is part of our DNA, practically.”

Magnificent &quot. identity park", but high – Magnificent "identity park", but high

A hint of history

In addition to offering a stopping point offering a magnificent view of Quebec and the St. Lawrence to cyclists. walkers, the Pointe-Benson park will allow them to learn more about the past of the site via interpretation signs.

This was essential since the point. between the rivers boiler and etchemins, carries the traces of millennia of occupations by the peoples of the First Nations. Artifacts which were found there allow us to conclude that it is one of the first land occupied on. the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River.

No indigenous representative was, however, present during the inauguration of the park on Wednesday.

Pointe-Benson was also a high place of magnificent “identity park”, but high eel fishing and shipbuilding in a closer past. This chapter is also underlined.

Finally. the park pavilion was appointed Immobile trip, In honor of the Lévisian historian and pedagogue Jacques Lemieux (1932-2013), who loved this expression.

For years, Mr. Lemieux. whose family was present on Wednesday, devoted himself to the development of historical, archaeological and landscape wealth on the site.

“Geographer. geomorphologist, historian, heraldist and artist, Jacques Lemieux has devoted his life to research and the transmission of the Lévisian heritage, undertaking in particular the archaeological excavations of Pointe-Benson,” says the city of Lévis.

LGs the Lehouillier

A few months before the municipal elections. his departure of active policy, the mayor Gilles Lehouillier spoke of the inauguration of the Pointe-Benson park as “the end of his journey”.

“Because basically. if you summarize my career, it is magnificent “identity park”, but high not complicated, it is the development of the river and tributaries,” explained the mayor, who made river parks a priority during his visit to the town hall, but also to the National Assembly.

“The idea was to serve the river and tributaries […] To create a feeling of belonging. create links between ex-city, “he explained, visibly proud of his river achievements, such as the ANSES route and the Quai Paquet.

Mr. Lehouillier also sees the reason for his great political success. “This is what made me re-elect,” he analyzed. The enhancement of rivers. tributaries was my trademark and that was what made me re magnificent “identity park”, but high -elect in each election because that’s what people were talking to me. ”

The Pointe-Benson park, a project he piloted from start to finish as mayor, therefore loops the loop, underlined Mr. Lehouillier.