The big boss of Dollarama has offered Mount Glen, in the Eastern Townships, to make it a private domain, was able to confirm The Press.
This acquisition by billionaire Neil Rossy has the effect of a cold shower for those who hoped to see a ski resort rise from its ashes on this mountain. Its slopes have delighted skiers from 1961 to 2004.
“Neil Rossy acquired Mount Glen. For now, he intends to develop the site for the production of maple syrup, but other activities could be added,” said Lyla Radmanovich, his communications manager.
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In a previous message, which she withdrew the day after it was sent, she indicated that Mr. Rossy had purchased the mountain “so that he could enjoy it for private purposes, including hiking, hunting, fishing, resting and producing maple syrup, while hoping to create unforgettable memories with family and friends”.
Neil Rossy declined interview request The Press. He succeeded his father, Larry Rossy, at the head of Dollarama, a company founded by the latter, in 2016.
According to the Land Registry of Quebec, he paid 6 million for a series of lands that covers the mountain and its surroundings. The transaction was made several months ago. The mountain belonged to a real estate firm, Groupe Maison Candiac.
Mount Glen is located in the municipality of Bolton-Ouest, a few kilometers from the American border. It culminates at 650 meters and is part of the Green Mountains.
The mayor “understands very well”
The mayor of Bolton-Ouest was able to discuss directly with the billionaire the future of this iconic mountain in the region.
“We met and he told me clearly: it is not his intention to take over the ski center, which I understand very well. His intention is more to make it a large hunting ground, ”explained Yves Vaillancourt in a telephone interview. “There’s deer, there’s moose, there’s probably bear. »
Of course, it’s a shame that it’s no longer open to the public, but we expected that. […] Good for him, he will have a nice playground.
Yves Vaillancourt, Mayor of Bolton-Ouest
Mr. Vaillancourt says he “understands very well” that Mr. Rossy is not relaunching a ski resort: the equipment would require massive investments, the other slopes in the area are having difficulty making ends meet and climate change promises a difficult future.
Businessman Peter White owned the Mount Glen ski resort from 1978 to 2004. Late last year he publicized his desire to buy the mountain back to skiers after years of closure. However, his project was aborted due to rising interest rates.
Neil Rossy “told me he didn’t want to do real estate or residential development,” Mr. White said in a telephone interview. “I know he is interested in hunting. »
Peter White would have liked the public authorities to buy Mount Glen to make it a public park. “They should have done this 50 years ago, they should have done this 30 years ago, 20 years ago, 10 years ago, but they didn’t,” he said. At the heart of the problem: the mountain is located in Bolton-Ouest, a small municipality with a budget to match, while the urban center of the sector – and its tax revenues – is located in Lac-Brome.