During a September 6th meeting, the City of Pointe-Claire tabled a memorandum of understanding to be signed between the City and the Archdiocese of Montréal, for the restoration and preservation of the Pointe-Claire windmill.
“I am very pleased with the upcoming signing of an agreement between the Archdiocese and the City to restore and preserve the Pointe-Claire Windmill, our emblem. This heritage building must be restored and preserved so that our history will live on for all future generations. Since the land and building are private property, we are also pleased that with this agreement, public access to the site will be ensured so that everyone can appreciate our history as well as the magnificent view this site offers of la Pointe Claire,” said Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas.
Once signed, the agreement will confirm a financial contribution from the City for a maximum of $967,761. Restoration works include rebuilding a period mechanism inside the mill and renovating the exterior aesthetics including the roof and the blades.
“Over the past year, we have worked with various professionals and the local community to establish what would be the most optimal and viable solution to preserve the windmill,” said Archbishop Christian Lépine. “We deeply appreciate the commitment of the City of Pointe-Claire for their contribution toward this signature asset, which previous generations have preserved and whose legacy we will uphold.”
“The Pointe-Claire Windmill is both the emblem of our City and a unique heritage building. Its restoration will bring over 300 years of history to life for current and future generations of Pointe-Claire residents,” said Pointe-Claire Heritage Preservation Society President, Andrew Swidzinski. “For the past year our Society has been involved in the discussions with the Archdiocese and the City leading up to this announcement and we look forward to continuing to collaborate and fundraise privately in support of this exciting project.”
Built in 1709 by the priests of Saint-Sulpice, lords of the Island of Montréal, the Pointe-Claire windmill is one of the 10 windmills built in Québec under the French regime and still exists today. It was classified as a heritage property by the ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec in 1983.
SOURCE: City of Pointe-Claire
