Jury is set for the making of Imagine Centennial
Architectural competition
The jury is set for the making of Imagine Centennial
BEACONSFIELD, January 23, 2024 – The mayor of Beaconsfield, Georges Bourelle, and the members of the Municipal Council are pleased to announce the launch of the architectural competition for the construction of a multipurpose cultural centre as part of the Imagine Centennial project.
“We are particularly pleased with this announcement, as it represents both the culmination of long-standing work with the community to enhance our largest waterfront green space, and the beginning of the concrete process that will lead to its realization,” says Mayor Bourelle.
For several years, projects have been discussed and presented to various councils. As part of a series of citizen consultations held in 2019, the community declared the need to revitalize Centennial Park and Marina to meet the population’s needs for community and cultural activities. Considering the outdated state of the buildings, equipment and general layout of the site, inaction is no longer a viable option. The project aims at preserving the natural beauty of the area, facilitating access to the water, and building a multipurpose cultural centre incorporating the municipal library.
The municipal administration has already secured a $3.1 million government grant for the construction of a multipurpose cultural centre, the first stage of the overall revitalization project. Mayor Bourelle will also be announcing a fund-raising campaign this year to enable donors to make philanthropic contributions.
Jury in place
Having reached the first stage of the project, elected officials confirmed, at the January 22 council meeting, the appointment of jury members for the architectural competition, which will examine the projects and architectural signature that will enhance the waterfront landscape and the collective heritage of the citizens of Beaconsfield.
The jury, comprising two user representatives, four professionals and two municipal employees, is made up of the residents:
Anne-Marie Parent, urban planner and landscape architect,
Anna Polspoel, landscape architect, Division Head, Saint-Laurent borough,
Luigina Vileno, librarian, Concordia University,
Monic Villeneuve, architect, Les Architectes Gagnier Villeneuve,
and of
Gavin Affleck, architect, Affleck De la Riva architectes,
Manon Asselin, architect, Atelier TAG,
Denis Chabot, Director, Urban Planning and Municipal Patrol, and
Mélanie Côté, Director, Culture and Leisure.
The competition process will be supervised by a professional advisor.
Finalists chosen by the jury for the Imagine Centennial project
Architectural contest
Announcement of the finalists chosen by the jury for the Imagine Centennial project
Beaconsfield, April 16, 2024 – Mayor Georges Bourelle and members of the Municipal Council are delighted with the completion of the first phase of the multidisciplinary architectural competition for a new multipurpose cultural centre in Beaconsfield. This project is part of the overall revitalization of Centennial Park and Marina.
“This exceptional public green space deserves a project that is fully adapted to its waterfront landscape. The architectural competition allows for a structured evaluation of different ideas and approaches in order to arrive at a design that harmoniously integrates the landscape with the cultural uses of this unique site,” explains Mayor Bourelle.
The jury of the architectural competition is pleased to announce its recommendation to the City of Beaconsfield regarding the selection of four finalists. Co-chaired by Anne-Marie Parent and Gavin Affleck, the jury deliberated under the guidance of the professional advisor Philippe Drolet on April 2 and 3. The evaluation of the proposals aims to identify the conceptual approaches that will highlight the riverside landscape and the collective heritage of the community of Beaconsfield.
The members of the jury would like to recognize the quality of the applications and the thorough analysis of the project’s characteristics. A total of 32 high calibre applications were submitted. Taking into account the objectives of the project and the evaluation criteria set out in the regulations for the competition, the jury highlighted that the finalists were chosen for the excellence of their proposals and the strong development potential of their concepts with a view to the second phase of the competition.
In accordance with the documents for the competition and established by consensus, the jury recommends the following professionals as finalists of the multidisciplinary architectural competition for a new multipurpose cultural centre in Beaconsfield (in alphabetical order):
- Chevalier Moralès, in collaboration with Vlan Paysages, Pageau Morel, Latéral, Équipe Laurence
- In Situ + DMA, in collaboration with Vlan Paysage, Kelvin Emtech, Lateral, Équipe Laurence
- Lemay, Bouthillette Parizeau, Elema
- Saunders Architecture, Bourgeois Lechasseur architectes, Option Aménagement, Stantec
“The City of Beaconsfield is fully engaged in the process and looks forward to the launch of the second phase of the competition which will result in the recommendation of a winner and a concept for a new multipurpose cultural centre for this magnificent waterfront site in Beaconsfield”, concludes Mayor Bourelle.
Financial support
Financial support for the construction of a new multipurpose cultural centre
Governments recognize the importance of the Imagine Centennial revitalization project for the community
BEACONSFIELD, April 30, 2024 – The Mayor of Beaconsfield, Georges Bourelle, and the members of Municipal Council are pleased to announce the financial support granted by the provincial and federal governments for the first phase of the Imagine Centennial project, namely the construction of a new multipurpose cultural centre, after years of planning and citizen consultations that helped define the needs and establish a consensus among the population.
The revitalization project will unite Centennial Park with the Centennial Marina property to create a single venue for leisure activities, culture, entertainment and large gatherings.
“We are particularly proud to announce the launch of this important project for Beaconsfield, following a consensus among the population. Centennial Park and the Centennial Marina property will become an exceptional jewel in Beaconsfield for all residents to enjoy year-round,” says Mayor Georges Bourelle.
An initial grant of more than $3 million has been awarded by the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications under the programme Aide au développement des infrastructures culturelles, which is part of the federal programme Invest in Canada. The grant is for the construction of a new cultural centre, with an integrated library at its heart. This initiative marks the first steps in the overall revitalization of the site, while preserving its natural character and ensuring continued access and use for all members of the community.
“The future cultural centre will become the hub of cultural, artistic and community activities for generations to come, while respecting taxpayers’ ability to pay,” says Mayor Bourelle.
Work on the multipurpose cultural centre project began in January with an architectural competition, for which four finalists were selected from 32 applications for the second stage of the competition. The competition will define the harmonious integration of the cultural centre on the site, which will become one of the most beautiful public spaces on the island of Montreal.
In addition to the new library with its reading and consultation areas, the new centre will provide study and meeting rooms in an architectural concept offering a splendid and exceptional view of majestic Lake Saint-Louis. There will also be community spaces for leisure activities and courses. By popular demand, a café-bistro will also be built to add to the enjoyment of the site.
Ultimately, the park will retain all its splendour and offer a greater area for visitors and activities, extending right down to the water’s edge.
The marina, managed by a non-profit organization, will continue its activities for the benefit of boaters, while the sandy area along the water’s edge will also be preserved to offer access to Lake Saint-Louis for kayakers, canoeists, windsurfers, and dinghies.
In addition to the specific grant of $3.1 million awarded for the library integrated into the multipurpose cultural centre, other subsidy applications through federal and provincial government aid programmes are under way.
A fundraising campaign is also being developed, as is a community support campaign.
The total cost of the project, including the multipurpose centre and the redevelopment of the site as a whole, will be determined as the contracts are awarded, given that they will be the result of public calls for tender.