Press Releases
CONSTRUCTION STARTS THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 18 ON THE FARM ENVIRONMENT
5 October 2010
Baie-Saint-Paul, October 5 2010 – Tonight the new development concept for The Farm environment was presented to the Charlevoix's top municipal, tourism and economic authorities at a Groupe Le Massif project committee meeting held in Baie-Saint-Paul. This meeting aimed to provide a progress report on the various worksites across Le Massif de Charlevoix’s overall territory.
A concept reminiscent of The Farm’s agricultural heritage
Only recently adopted by Baie-Saint-Paul City Council, the new development plans for The Farm’s Building A were unveiled by President and CEO of Groupe Le Massif, Daniel Gauthier. "The pavilion approach that was favoured supports our development vision for this environment, and highlights the site’s historical legacy," stated Daniel Gauthier. "Construction of Building A, which includes about fifty lodging units, a multifunctional venue and a train station, will be able to get underway the week of October 18."
In synopsis, onsite land preparation and dynamic compaction resumed last August 30. This pole is still expected to open by late 2011. It will feature 150 rooms spread throughout several lodging pavilions, a multifunctional venue, a public square, a terroir market stall and a railway station.
Wind of freshness at The Mountain
The integration of a new beginner area, new trails, upgraded accesses to the base and an expanded off-trail sector are following due course in preparation for this year’s slide season, which is scheduled to start in two months’ time. "The upcoming weeks have been set aside to install the artificial snowmaking equipment, the magic carpet and the platter lift in the newly created beginner sector for novice clienteles," explained Pierre Raymond, the ski area’s General Manager. "Gondola installations – with 18 of the 23 towers having been airlifted by Skycrane this past September 23 – wrapped up last week as ground crews mounted the five remaining ones."
Eight-month blitz before The Train rides the rails
Nancy Belley, Director of Le Train touristique de Charlevoix, pointed out that both the railcar and track refurbishment programs are still underway, with timetables so far having been respected. "Between now and late November, we will have proceeded to replace over 25,000 ties and 13 miles of track, in addition to pursuing a rock riprap program commenced in August that aims to protect the embankment supporting the railway and provide increased safety across the entire line. The coming winter months will focus on the rehabilitation of 78 culverts and 24 bridges, work that will continue until spring," she specified.
Ongoing railcar upgrades started in Spring 2010 by CROI and addressing the mechanical portion of the refurbishment project are expected to come to a close over the next few weeks. The cars’ interior design will then get underway, with a team also working on the elaboration of onboard passenger programming.
Le Massif de Charlevoix
Le Massif de Charlevoix is a tourism and recreation project representing a $230M investment. Beyond Le Massif Ski Area, the territory spans from Baie-Saint-Paul to Petite-Rivière-Saint-François in the Charlevoix. Among other features, it includes a touring train and rail shuttle as well as a diversified lodging offer, of which a 150-room hotel and a multifunctional venue. The site is destined to become a genuine experiential laboratory focused on tourism.
Sources & Information:
Isabelle Vallée, Press Relations – Groupe Le Massif
418-932-4023 / ivallee@lemassif.com
