Town to Acquire Le Boisé's Old Golf Course for $27 Million, Transforming it into a Natural Park
Redesigned Tale of Green Transformation
Terrebonne is set to transform an old golf course into a vibrant nature park, forking over $27 million to acquire the former Boisè Golf Course. This move concludes a lengthy legal battle with the property owner, ending a lawsuit that was initiated against the City and the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM).
Covering 71 hectares, the now-shuttered golf course left Terrebonne yearning since its closure in 2016. Despite attempts to secure the property since then, it was one of six golf courses slowed down by the CMM's interim control bylaw enacted in June 2022. This move was aimed at safeguarding these lands from real estate promotions, resulting in lawsuits worth $508 million against the CMM and the affected cities.
Previous offers by the CMM and Terrebonne were rejected by Immeubles des Moulins inc., who priced the land at around $29 million. A $98 million lawsuit for alleged disguised expropriation followed.
A New Leaf Turned
With the agreement in hand, Terrebonne Mayor Mathieu Traversy proclaimed a "major milestone in the preservation of natural spaces" on Tuesday afternoon. The deal is conditional upon approval of a $15 million loan bylaw within Terrebonne, and a $12 million subsidy by the CMM through the Trame verte et bleue program. Formalities aside, the mayor remains optimistic.
"This marks the end of a ten-year-long struggle for the acquisition or not of the Boisè Golf Course. It's fantastic news for Terrebonne, but it's also good news for our fellow Quebec cities that are in the same boat, grappling with abandoned golf courses," Mayor Traversy mentioned in a phone interview.
The purchase price is deemed reasonable, according to the mayor. The site will be reimagined as a nature park, but a development plan remains to be drafted. The City is considering plans for an indoor skating rink and trails, envisioning a space for future generations to enjoy.
A motion for the loan bylaw will be put to the vote at the Terrebonne City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, with a plea for financial assistance to be submitted to the CMM. Signing the deal for the land acquisition is expected this summer.
However, this victory does not extinguish the protracted disputes surrounding other golf courses. In the aftermath of the interim control bylaw in 2022, the CMM and cities like Rosemère, Candiac, Mascouche, and Terrebonne found themselves in the firing line of lawsuits.
A New Era in Green Spaces
The CMM and Terrebonne now manage ten golf courses, up from six following the addition of Boucherville, Dorval, Laval, and two Saint-Lambert courses. The Municipal Golf Course of Chambly, however, was removed from protection following an agreement with the property owner. The ten golf courses cover 284 hectares, aligning with the CMM's goal to preserve 30% of its territory by 2030.
Beyond the legal challenges, the CMM continues to make strides in the region. Businesses such as Valsoft Corporation are expanding into restaurant technology – a testament to the thriving economic activity in the area. Golf-related partnerships and events are also thriving across Canada, underscoring the sport's growth.
For in-depth insights, check out:
- Six Montreal region golf courses to be protected (June 2022)
- Montreal adopts a "zero net artificialization" principle for land by 2030
- Are there any "15-minute cities" in Quebec?
Keep an eye on future developments as Terrebonne steps forward, carving out chucks of green spaces for its residents to enjoy.
- Despite the victory in acquiring the Boisè Golf Course, Terrebonne and other cities like Rosemère, Candiac, Mascouche, still face lawsuits following the CMM's interim control bylaw in 2022.
- Terrebonne, now a home to a nature park, was once a golfer's paradise, as the former Boisè Golf Course covered 71 hectares of land.
- In line with Terrebonne's green transformation, the City is contemplating plans for an indoor skating rink and trails, envisioning an outdoor living space suitable for environmental-science students and promoting a lifestyle that values home-and-garden improvements.
- The Institut de l'environnement et de la santé publique in Boucherville, a renowned institution for scientific research, is likely to benefit from this redesigned green space, drawing inspiration from the fusion of science and outdoor living.
- Amidst the progress in preserving green spaces, the CMM's extensive portfolio now includes golf courses in Dorval, Laval, Saint-Lambert, and Boucherville, totalling 284 hectares, which meets the CMM's goal of preserving 30% of its territory by 2030.
