---Three new streets named after historic Aylmerites

As part of a new development phase of the Domaine du Golf – de la Croisée residential project, Gatineau is honouring three historic Aylmerites with new street names. According to a press release issued by the city on June 9, the newly-designated streets will respectively be named Diane-Aldred, Joe-Tchorewski, and François-Michel. Stating that the three names have important links to Aylmer and Gatineau’s heritage, the city explained that the recommendations were made by the Toponymy committee and follow the Commission de toponymie du Québec’s name selection criteria. The city says the municipal council adopted the Domaine du Golf – de la Croisée project’s new phase in January 2019.

--Diane Hay Aldred (1941-2003) – rue Diane-Aldred

Growing up in Breckenridge - a rural community on the outskirts of Aylmer – Aldred was very well known for her efforts in protecting and enhancing local heritage. As one of the main founders of the Aylmer Heritage Association in 1974, Aldred has also written two reference books intended to help raise awareness about the importance of valuing history in the region.

In 2007, the Aylmer Heritage Association presented a commemorative plaque to honour her life at the Chappelle méthodiste du canton de Hull.

--Joe Tchorewski (1919-2006) – rue Joe-Tchorewski

Native of Alvena, Saskatchewan, Tchorewski was best remembered as the owner of the British Hotel from 1954 until the end of his life. Forced to leave his hometown during the great depression, Tchorewski worked a number of jobs in Montreal, before eventually moving to Aylmer where he eventually signed a deal with his business partners Anton Lazarowick and William Kereliuk to operate the British.

Tchorewski was also part of the Aylmer Rotary Club, and contributed to funding the foundation that helped build a hockey rink in Aylmer.

--François-Régis Michel (1828-1910) – rue François-Michel

Revered as a proficient administrator and education advocate, Michel was named priest of the Saint-Paul parish on September 12, 1858. Keeping the role for 15 years, the city says Michel also helped plan the church’s construction, which was completed in September, 1861, and was an important factor in getting the church’s convent built a few years later.

Michel was also said to have solicited the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa’s services to teach girls at the Saint-Paul parish school.

Delighted to see Tchorewski’s legacy immortalized by the city, Lucerne district councillor Gilles Chagnon said his place in the community was too significant to ever be forgotten. “The British is really Aylmer’s history,” Chagnon said. “I’m very happy we recognized him. We’ve been trying to do this for a long time, and finally it happened. There is really a true link to Aylmer.”

Stating that the streets are currently being developed by Ottawa-based construction company Richcraft, Deschênes district councillor Mike Duggan said he’s hopeful that the work will be completed soon and that the new roads contribute to a vibrant community.

Stating that Aylmer is a jewel of local heritage, President of Gatineau’s Toponymy committee and Pointe-Gatineau councillor Myriam Nadeau said the Domaine du Golf – de la Croisée presented an ideal opportunity to commemorate people deserving the recognition. “Toponymy is a concrete way of highlighting our heritage, and especially the people who have had a positive influence on our city,” Nadeau said in the press release. “The toponymy committee recommends these designations in the hope that their memory will live on in the community.”