Big money needed for renovations
Curtain call for Émile-Legault
The Pavilion Émile-Legault at CEGEP St. Laurent is looking to get a major facelift, which would involve the historical building, Salle Émile-Legault, as well as other older elements in need of renovation. A study of the work that needed to be done put the price tag at $9 million, and the college is prepared to spring for $1 million of that money itself, and the borough of St. Laurent is prepared to match that sum, and various provincial agencies are being solicited for the rest, with details to follow.
The plan is very comprehensive and encompasses the entire pavilion building. That includes the Musée des Maîtres et artisans du Québec, Salle Émile-Legault and other parts that aren't currently living up to their potential. The renovation's aim is to spruce up the surroundings and bring the building up to date.
College director Paul-Émile Bourque said the renovation plan would be a complete overhaul of the building.
"It basically consists of rebuilding the entire edifice in its initial functions," he said.
Lifting the curtain
Some the borough's most impressive heritage jewels are in play for the renovation. Salle Émile-Legault was the site where the Compagnons de St. Laurent theatre troupe was founded in 1937 before becoming the talk of Quebec's dramatic community.
After a number of different incarnations, the theatre itself must be brought up to date, especially in light of other work done in years past. Disruptions caused by the hall's acoustics, impacted by a wheezing and rusty old ventilation system, as well as seating malfunctions, can prevent patrons from enjoying the acts. The box office, the washrooms and handicapped access must all be brought into the 21st century.
Walls from authenticity
The building itself also needs updates. The walls, which badly need work, have seen a lot of history over the years.
The most startling example of the grand old theatre gone to seed are the pinnacles, which ornament the bell tower. They were taken down last year for safety reasons, and to the naked eye, the tenuous way they clung to the walls was cause for concern. The original silhouette has been greatly affected.
In addition, the facility's stained-glass windows must to be maintained and inoculated against water infiltration that could put their preservation in jeopardy. Finally, the addition of an elevator will connect all the various floors of the building together and increase handicapped access.
Organic pride
Its voice has not sung out for the last forty years. In the old chapel sleeps a very rare organ, whose restoration "would constitute a major event in the musical community," according to the architects' reports.
That being said, the longer authorities wait to renovate the grand old instrument, the more expensive those renovations will be. The cost to repair the organ is currently estimated about $750,000. The organ's resurrection would bring more musical capability to the museum and the space could potentially be converted into a musical-use location.
"Thanks to movable seats, we would even be able to put on a concert in the museum itself, which would constitute yet another attraction for audiences," Bourque said. It's a blessed notion for students and music fans alike; collaborations with the college's own music program and that from the University of Montreal could potentially be in the offing.
A big project
The renovation-project study is still subject to cash-flow issues, and will cost in the area of $9 million altogether. Renovation of the Salle Émile-Legault will cost $4.8 million on their own.
St. Laurent borough council recently committed $1 million to the project.
"We asked the (college's) board of directors to do the same," Bourque said.
All that's left is $7 million, and the director knows whose door he's going to knock on next.
Acadie MNA and Quebec Minister of Culture Christine St. Pierre is his next target, where he will attempt to convince St. Pierre that the passing of just such an architectural and historical jewel would be a waste indeed.
(Translated by Marc Lalonde)
A little bit of history
The Émile-Legault pavilion building took part in and witnessed numerous events ever since it was erected. If you though that the Presbyterian church was built on the ground it presently stands on, then you’ll be surprised to learn that it was originally built in 1867 in downtown Montreal and was called St. Paul church. Given to the Fathers of Ste-Croix, the church was dismantled piece by piece in 1930 and then rebuilt where it now stands. This amazing manoeuvre is still the first and only one of that kind ever performed in the province. While moving, two other buildings were added; the chapel and the concert hall. Multiple cultural events have been held in those facilities over the years: orchestra recitals, live recordings and plays of all sorts.
The church’s plans were drawn by an architect named Frederick Lawford and it seems he was a student of the architect behind the Palace of Westminster in London. The resemblance is definitely striking.
(Translated by Pascal LeBlanc)
(Photo: Archives)
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
par Sylvain Sarrazin 
Voir toutes les photos
Steven Guilbeault - 
