Matthew Farfan

The municipality of Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley (Katevale) will soon have to reach a decision about the old J-Armand Choquette Community Centre, the Reflet du Lac reported this past weekend. The building, which possesses a "tromp-l'oeil (false-front) façade, was constructed in 1901 in the style known as "boomtown". Other features include unusual neo-Gothic ornamentation and a stepped-back entrance.

Town council, the Reflet reported, had resolved in March to repair the building, at a cost of $225,000. Renovations were to have included repairs to the windows and floors, stopping the water seepage in the basement, and others. At a meeting in April, however, council, reversed its previous decision, and is now considering demolishing the building altogether and replacing it with a modern structure. The total cost would be about $400,000. A final decision will be made in the coming weeks.

According to the Reflet, town council is torn between destroying a local heritage building that has survived for over a century and spending public money wisely. "Our dilemma is a difficult one," mayor Gilles Boisvert said. "We don't know when we will reach a decision, but we want to consult with people before imposing something on them."