The mayor of René Lévesque’s native village is losing hope of one day seeing the former prime minister’s childhood home regain its youthful appearance. “In my head, it’s already too late,” he says, more than two years after Quebec acquired it.
The front fascia still holds up, but the rear doesn’t look much. Coating torn off, mold spilling out onto the exterior and a “deplorable” interior: New Carlisle Mayor David Thibault is in despair. “We will have to redo the entire house. »
Quebec bought the building in 2021 to preserve it and return it to the public. Since then no substantial renovation has been carried out. Only a sign “project to enhance our heritage” on site testifies to the desire to preserve this building which saw one of the fathers of the Quiet Revolution grow up.
A meeting took place last spring between representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Communications, the mayor, and other concerned stakeholders. The discussion focused on the possible vocation of the place. With no further news, “we are a long way from the work,” David Thibault laments today. However, a budget of around one million dollars was promised by the government.
“Bringing it back to the old way, with cedar shingle siding, it’s going to be a really big job. »
Others remain hopeful. Gaétan Lelièvre, president of the “Espace René-Lévesque” museum, considers himself “optimistic”. The property is heritage listed after all. The owner — the government in this case — is therefore required to protect both the exterior and the interior of the building.
“I can’t believe they won’t move forward. You can’t acquire it and not take care of it,” he insists. “We are optimistic, but we find that it takes a long time. »
Each winter damages the house built in 1905 a little more. The observation after decades of abandonment seems obvious, concedes Gaétan Lelièvre. “It’s almost a total loss. The restoration will cost as much as rebuilding the house. »
The members of his team participated in discussions last year with Quebec and they wish to integrate the old building into the Espace René-Lévesque, the museum located a hundred meters from the house. Already, one in two tourists who visit this Space ask to see the said house. Their disappointment is matched only by the state of the place.
The Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications had not responded to our interview requests at the time of writing.