On a rainy morning, construction of the long-awaited new La Ronde building officially started with heavy machinery and equipment breaking ground.
The new building is going up at the site of its former facility at the corner of Mountjoy and Algonquin and is expected to be done by this time next year.
The previous building suffered irreparable damage in a 2015 fire and was demolished in 2017. The organization is currently operating out of the old St-Charles School at 120 Kent Ave.
La Ronde board member Michelle Boileau was excited to stop by the site this morning (July 5) to see the start of the work.
"It's like there has been a hole in the heart of the city for the last seven years now," she said.
Last week, Agnico Eagle donated $750,000 to the fundraising campaign. The campaign has garnered more than $6 million.
The building will be smaller compared to the last one. But there will be more facilities. While the French community is excited as the construction is starting, "it is also a space for other communities," said Boileau.
The building will allow for shows, conferences, and other events. It also has a big community kitchen.
“When we were planning, with rising cost, we have to choose wisely,” Boileau explained about why the size is comparatively smaller.
