On October 7th , the new Halte Maritime was inaugurated. The latter represents phase 2 of a comprehensive concept of interpretation aimed at highlighting the role that port, industrial and maritime activities have played in the development of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and the region. It should be noted that the first phase of the project was carried out in spring 2018, during the inauguration of the Halte des Plaisanciers in Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka.
(Photo MRC Salaberry-Beauharnois)
In addition to offering a unique view of the industrial activities of the Port of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, the Halte des Plaisanciers, has as vocation the development of the river resort in Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka, the history of the Port de Valleyfield and the history of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Halte Maritime effectively introduces the history of the city’s industrialization.
The layout of the Halte Maritime has been designed in such a way that visitors want to stop there and can stroll in an environment of inviting aesthetics, both pleasant and convivial. The concept adopted ensures that visitors, both walkers and cyclists, are able to navigate the site easily, thanks to interpretive stelae that are at the same time accessible, attractive and innovative.
Moreover, the stelae are placed on the ground so as to represent the shape of a wave and their colors, ranging from blue, reminiscent of the waters of the St.Lawrence Seaway, to red, to illustrate industrial forges, evoke the historical transition that has marked the region from the 19th century to the present day.
Like the Halte des Plaisanciers, the Halte Maritime is the result of a happy partnership that made it possible to mobilize the budget of $ 65,000 necessary for its realization.
Note the financial contribution of $ 25,000 from the project’s main partner, CEZinc. “We are proud to have collaborated on this beautiful project which will allow the community to benefit from a new stop on the bike path, while allowing to learn about the history of the industrialization of Salaberry-de Valleyfield” says Mr. Jean-François Gagnon, director of human resources and community relations at CEZinc.
To this financial contribution is added a sum of $ 15,000 from the Ministry of Culture and Communications (Québec) dedicated to the development of actions within the framework of the promotion of the Maritime Strategy (Québec). To these amounts is added an additional contribution of $ 5,000 from the Corporation de gestion de la Voie maritime du Saint-Laurent.
“We underline the success of the collaborations of stakeholders for the creation of the Halte Maritime du Canal de Beauharnois” affirmed Mr. Jean Aubry-Morin, Vice-president of external relations at the Corporation de Gestion de la Voie Maritime du Saint-Laurent
Finally, to these partners, an additional amount of $ 2,500 from the Port of Valleyfield is accumulated, as well as a combined municipal financial contribution of around $ 17,500. M.C.
