The inauguration of phase 3 of Promenade Samuel-De Champlain, which began in 2008, 15 years ago, during the 400e anniversary of Quebec City, completes in a grandiose fashion the first two phases of access to the St. Lawrence River west of Quebec City, over a total length of 6.8 km. But, it’s not all over yet. There remains the segment of the bay of Beauport, east of Quebec, which goes to the Montmorency falls, another beautiful great urban development challenge. Access to the river is a long battle that is far from over.
I was able to see all the splendor of the work of redeveloping the banks of the St. Lawrence. Congratulations to Marie Claire Ouellet, President and CEO of the National Capital Commission, and her entire team, who were able to complete this gigantic work within the budget ($193 million) and on time (2023). With a length of 2.5 km between the Côte de Sillery and the Côte Gilmour giving access to the Plains of Abraham, this walk is intended above all for walkers and cyclists. It will certainly become a signature of Quebec City and will allow many tourists and visitors to enjoy the splendours of the St. Lawrence River.
The artisans of this urban development, landscape architects, planners and town planners are unfortunately little known. I hope that the Government of Quebec and the City of Quebec will pay tribute to them, in particular for the development of the swimming pool, its sandy beach and the large pavilion for bathers, a marvel of pure simplicity, but also of accessibility. Let’s also not forget the sailing station, which communicates with the beach station (while giving access to activities: volleyball, pétanque courts, climbing modules for beginners), which is also an ideal place to have a picnic.
A decades-long battle
Access to the river is a battle that has been going on for decades. In 1989, I had the honor of participating, as secretary of the committee on the future of Pointe-à-Carcy, in the organization of public hearings restoring visual access to the St. Lawrence, while prohibiting projects of real estate developers and the privatization of the banks. I note that the Port of Quebec and the federal government have also contributed to access to the marvelous St. Lawrence by making three legacies during the celebrations of the 400e anniversary of Quebec City, namely Brown’s Cove, Beauport Bay and the Agora of the Old Port, for which I also had the honor of chairing the public hearings in 2008.
Phase 4 of the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain should be announced this fall and will finally complete this major project which aims to finally give access to the banks of the St. Lawrence River to citizens living east of the capital. Québec City being recognized for the beauty of its urban heritage, it can be proud of having contributed, with the Government of Québec, to improving the quality of urban life in the national capital. I have confidence in the National Capital Commission to complete this titanic development with its artisans who are still too often overlooked and in the hope that it will be protected from partisan political pressure. We hope that budgets and completion deadlines will be met quickly, unlike the Quebec Bridge, whose maintenance and embellishment are constantly being delayed and which stands out against the grandiose decor of the Samuel-De Champlain promenade. , a success of which we can all be proud.