Historical
Since 1992, the municipal administration for significant investments demonstrated its willingness to consider the mountain as a heritage site. Their efforts and those of the community led, in 2005, the recognition by the Government of Quebec to the national significance of Mount Royal by devoting the status of historic and natural district under the Cultural Property Act. The redevelopment of the Beaver Lake area, including the restoration of its flag (produced by the firm Réal Paul architect) is considered in the priority projects for the protection and enhancement of the heritage of the mountain.
Receiving this recognition and thanks to the mountain Friends 1, the project has been an important contribution of $ 2M from Power Corporation, as a private donor has generously invested in public space for the benefit of the community.
The Site
Only lake on the mountain, Beaver Lake, flanked by its flag, is the centerpiece of the clearing originally designed by Olmsted The redevelopment project began in 2005, was the renovation of obsolete and deteriorated facilities. Moreover, this sector has a significant attendance especially in winter, offers outdoor activities that traditionally combines skating, sledding and skiing. Today, the new refrigerated rink bearing comes to temperature fluctuations problems, which previously resulted from frequent interruptions activities.
The project, which renews the site language, is an excellent example of preservation and development of a modern landscape. The approach says the assembly of three periods of construction: the clearing Olmsted 1872, Lake Todd in 1938, the roof and its square in 1958. Thus the fluid lines, the undulating volumes and materials (concrete and flat stones) typical of the language of today draw and fit them to the clearing program elements. The floor of modulation corresponds to the relief work of the clearing designed by Olmsted, hiding under her undulations accessible technical gutter and a technical building. The graceful curves of the ice, the court of the adjacent pavilion and traffic areas open onto the lake. They are highlighted by an apparatus of flat stones that evoke the mountain with its rustic and rough appearance in contrast to the silky lawn. The arrangement of the irregular clumps plantations softens the landscape. The choice of plant species helps to maintain biodiversity of the mountain. The area is dotted relief groves of trees and rocky outcrops in respectful composition of its historical heritage.
In short, now released from the project, a pastoral setting, simple, open and calm, the modernists and undulating lines conceal an engineering work on the cutting edge of technology.
