Place des Pionniers. the next marina restaurant?

 

The Bulletin’s article on why no one has been found to open a restaurant at the marina is a fine example of rare investigative journalism. 

Councillor Bureau is right; the pandemic plays a factor.  But at the same time, when designing the building the city should have provided facilities to properly store beer, as well as enough indoor space to allow the restaurant to be profitable in the winter, given that the city insists it stay open.

From the beginning residents had concerns about the marina building's design,  but there were no meaningful consultations.  The city pressed ahead, and now we may not see a restaurant at the marina for a long time.  If one does open, given the expenses to make the restaurant suited to the clientele, there’s no guarantee it will last.

The building's size was always a concern.  And now we see a similar situation unfolding with Place des Pionniers - the city is planning on taking the building from 5 floors to 3,  following demolition next year.  Given how much Aylmer's population has grown it makes no sense to downsize by such a degree.

Although the time has passed for the marina, it’s certainly not too late for Place des Pionniers.  We need to talk to our councillors and the mayor’s office to show them how important getting a good design for Place des Pionniers is to residents.

Otherwise we’ll also be lamenting problems with Place des Pionniers in five years when the new building finally opens.

Ian Barrett

Aylmer