Photo: Martin C. Barry
From the left, Chomedey MNA Guy Ouellette, Laval-les-Îles MP Raymonde Folco,
Centre du Sablon board president Brian Tracey, the centre’s executive-director
Pierre Fontaine, Laval mayor Gilles Vaillancourt and Laval executive-committee
member Basile Angelopoulos prepare to cut the ribbon for Sablon Green’s official
opening.

Centre du Sablon, which was already well known for its sense of community spirit, has exceeded even the best of expectations with its new Sablon Green ecological campus,  Laval mayor Gilles Vaillancourt declared during Sablon Green’s official launch last Wednesday.
Positive example
Accompanied at the ribbon cutting by Chomedey Liberal MNA Guy Ouellette, Laval-les-Îles Liberal MP Raymonde Folco, Centre du Sablon board president Brian Tracey and many guests who came to admire the new campus, Vaillancourt said that Centre du Sablon had already established itself as a shining example to the greater community, because of the wide range of cultural and sports services it makes available.
But “Sablon is now adding value to what it has to offer by adding to its agenda the conservation of the environment thanks to collective and educational gardens, as well as the addition of vegetation to its space,” he continued. Vaillancourt said Centre du Sablon is pursuing its vocation, “which places the citizen at the centre of its preoccupations by making available quality services to families in Laval.”
Space redeveloped
Years in the planning, the Sablon Green campus was created in a large space behind Centre du Sablon, which operates as a corporation in partnership with the City of Laval. The yard behind the centre had been neglected for a number of years after an outdoor pool there became defective.
Many people present at the launch, including numerous Laval residents, marveled at the transformation of the yard, from an area consisting previously of large patches of undeveloped and bare ground, into a lushly landscaped oasis of verdant lawns, tall shade-giving trees, graveled paths, a picnic area with barbecues, a flourishing community garden, an outdoor pavilion, and dramatic rock formations.
Common values
Vaillancourt said the Sablon Green initiative falls into line with values held dear by the City of Laval over the last few years. Laval has been increasingly committing itself to projects emphasizing environmental concerns and sustainable development. Extensive tree planting on the margins of Laval’s autoroutes, implementation of domestic composting and the encouragement of ecologically-sound gardening practices are among the projects.
“When we decided to demolish the outdoor pool in the back yard of Centre du Sablon, the area lost a bit of its old spirit, along with some of its history and original vocation,” said Centre du Sablon board president Tracey.
“Starting today, the back yard at Centre du Sablon is returning to life with Sablon Green. Those who experience it will be able to take a cool dip in nature, rather than in the outdoor pool that once stood here. We believe that the natural environment we have created in Centre du Sablon’s back yard greatly improves the quality of life.”
Praise from Ouellette
Guy Ouellette said Sablon Green is so conveniently close to his office, he’s going to start using it regularly. “This is something extraordinary and it’s a pleasure to be here today to point out the fantastic work that was done by the Centre du Sablon team to have this place. To start out with an outdoor pool that looked more like a historic monument and to end up with an accomplishment like this sends a message to other communities that such things are possible and that the potential of a community can indeed be developed.”
Ouellette noted that only a few years ago, those who had concerns about the state of the environment weren’t taken very seriously. “I think it’s important to make sure that ideas are heard and are brought to a conclusion,” he said. “What we have seen here today is worth the price. This is something that is valuable, like a diamond, in the neighbourhood of Chomedey. It will be our job from now on to make sure that everyone around is told about this secret and has a chance to enjoy it.”