The owner’s tour | Living to the rhythm of the seasons on the Isle of May

Isle of May. This name, which evokes the mildness of the weather, is well suited to this piece of land that stretches in the middle of the Rivière des Mille Îles. It is accessed by a small bridge. We go around it by a small path. It is here, in this natural setting of the municipality of Boisbriand, that our property for this week is located.

Living on the Isle of May was a dream for Louis Poliquin and Caroline Provencher. Residents of Boisbriand for several years, they often came for a walk, returning from a walk or a day of skiing. “Oh no, not yet,” protested their two little girls, when, instead of going straight home, the car drove over the little bridge. “The houses, I knew them all,” confides Mr. Poliquin, with amusement.

One day in March 2001, the detour paid off. A woman was putting up a “for sale” sign in front of a property located almost at the end of the small path. A house that was not 20 years old, built on a lot of almost 24,000 sq.². The stars aligned, the transaction did not drag.

All redone

Built in 1982, the house was not old, says Mr. Poliquin, “but there had been a sloppiness and it needed a lot of love,” he says. The new owners have embarked on major works to adapt the property to their needs and bring it to their liking. It started with the complete demolition of the walls and interior divisions on both levels, which gave free rein to redistribute the rooms as they saw fit. In doing so, almost everything went through, including the replacement of electricity, plumbing, insulation, floors, windows and everything.

They also had an impressive three-season veranda built, which is attached to the house. This room, which is over 800 sq.² and which is entirely covered with wood on the inside, makes it possible to lengthen the beautiful season from early spring until late autumn. It should be noted that the house has no basement, it sits on a concrete slab, which has been re-insulated with anti-mold urethane.

The swimming pool, as well as the landscaping, have also undergone a makeover. “Perennials take turns blooming from spring through fall,” adds Ms.^me Provencher.

life on the island

What about life on the island?

“It’s really the countryside in the city, illustrates Caroline Provencher. We cross the bridge and it’s completely different. The view and the seasons are magnificent. “The island is located between two highways, the 13 and the 15, but we do not hear them, notes Louis Poliquin.

This one, passionate about seaplane piloting, and M^me Provencher, who was brought up by the river, were filled on the Isle of May. They took full advantage of it with their two children. In addition, the island is located about thirty minutes from the first ski slopes of the Laurentians. Nice location to save a chalet, when you are a boating and skiing enthusiast.

Now that the children are flying on their own, and the owners are embarking on a new stage in their lives, the time has come to sell. But it won’t happen without a pang in the heart.

The particularities of the places

Like many bucolic places on the outskirts of Montreal, Île de Mai has gone from farming to vacationing, eventually becoming a year-round place of residence. The small chalets that spread across the island 60-70 years ago have given way to houses, and even, for some time now, to very large houses. It must be said, the place is coveted.

With an area of ​​160,000 m² (1.5 km long and 200 m wide on average), we understand that the Isle of May can only accommodate a limited number of properties. Especially since water and sewer services are not provided. So there are no condo towers or even triplexes or duplexes. There are 80 residences on the island, and they are all individual residences, according to Henri-Jean Fillion, director of urban planning at the City of Boisbriand. The latter specifies that the by-law limits the height of buildings to a maximum of 10 m, i.e. two storeys. There is no trade either. A community chalet and two tennis courts are available to the islanders, who are grouped together in an association.