TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QUEBEC, August 8, 2005 -- The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced a contribution agreement today outlining the federal government’s intent to invest up to $1 million in an innovative project to convert the “Édifice La Fabrique” (the Lampron building) in Trois-Rivières into a four-star hotel.

“The Government of Canada is determined to protect our past to ensure we all have a better future,” said Minister Dion. “The main goal of the Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund is to bring old buildings like ‘La Fabrique’ back to life, so that they can contribute to the vitality and sustainability of our cities and rural communities.”

The Lampron Building was one of many commercial building that were erected in Trois-Rivières in the early 1900s, a period of rapid growth in the city’s industrial and manufacturing sectors. It was home to the local newspaper, Le Nouvelliste, as well as to Balcer Glove Manufacturing Company, a producer of leather goods. In 1947, Lampron Shirt Limited moved into the building which became known locally as “Édifice La Fabrique”.

Many of the unique architectural and structural features that were part of the Lampron Building’s original design will be preserved as the structure is converted into a 50-room, four-star hotel, including its brick and masonry walls, wooden ceilings and beams, steel fire escapes, interior service staircase, and exterior metal work. The exterior design for the new hotel, which is being named Hôtel Balcer after its most well-known previous occupant, is based on a 1920s photo of the Lampron Building.

Federal funding for the rehabilitation project, which is being undertaken by 9123-5143 Québec Inc., the owner of the Lampron Building, is being made available through the Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund program (CHPIF). This $30-million national program was launched in November 2003 as part of the Historic Places Initiative – a federal, provincial and territorial partnership to preserve Canada’s built heritage.

To be eligible for CHPIF funding, projects must involve the rehabilitation for commercial purposes of a historic building that has been listed on the Register. The building’s owner must be a taxable Canadian corporation, own or hold a long-term lease on the property, and agree to respect the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. The project must also meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and be pre-certified by a certification service provider accredited by Parks Canada.

Prior to the actual transfer of funds, a completed project must undergo an inspection by the certification service provider to ensure it has fully met the eligibility conditions for CHPIF funding, in particular the requirement to respect the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.

Through CHPIF, the Government of Canada is working with taxable Canadian corporations to reverse a trend that has resulted in 20 per cent of the country’s historic properties and archaeological resources being lost over the past 30 years. These corporations can apply to the fund to be reimbursed for 20 per cent of their eligible costs to rehabilitate a historic property for commercial use, up to a maximum of $1 million.

Information:

André Lamarre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Environment
(819) 997-1441

Nicole Racette National Director
National Corporate Communications Branch
Parks Canada Agency
(819) 953-6782

Backgrounders associated with this News Release.

ÉDIFICE LAMPRON (ÉDIFICE LA FABRIQUE)
THE HISTORIC PLACES INITIATIVE