LETTER

The new L’Imagier takes form!

 

It is with a twinge of sorrow that we saw the Centre d’exposition L’Imagier’s building we knew for many years taken down. Our greatest wish remains the achievement of our mission by offering the community a space where people meet, discover and create, and by continuing the work started 40 years ago by our founders, Yvette et Pierre Debain.

After purchasing the building in 2010, we set out to renovate it. Studies undertaken by engineers and architects, however, identified serious structural problems: weak foundations, obsolete electric systems and even asbestos! We realized then that we had no choice but to rebuild L’Imagier entirely.

The new building will provide:  a unique visitor experience; a place dedicated to the development of local youth creativity; a connection between Front Street and the Parc de L’Imaginaire; and diverse programming throughout the year.

The concept for the new building, which emphasizes brightness and harmony with the surrounding sector, was envisaged by Groupe Lapalme Rheault Architectes + ACSL, a firm from Gatineau. Work on the building will be carried out by Industries CAMA, another local business.

This $2.5 million project is made possible thanks to funding from the ministère de la Culture et des Communications (56%), Canadian Heritage (33%), Ville de Gatineau (1%) and CRÉO (1%). Ville de Gatineau, CRÉO and a private donor also provided financial support in the order of $204,000 for the acquisition of the property by L’Imagier in 2010.

L’Imagier is close to reaching its funding campaign objective of $120,000, which will contribute to our new building. Join us and contribute to our success.

L’Imagier
Aylmer