Carrefour francophone is moving back to the downtown, where it began over 50 years ago, confirmed Stéphane Gauthier, executive director of Carrefour francophone. The non-profit organization will occupy the oldest building in Sudbury, the former residence of Ste-Anne-des-Pins parish at 14 Beech St.
“Carrefour francophone saw the end of its current lease at 435, Notre-Dame Ave. (Dec. 31) as an opportunity to return to the downtown core, where it had formerly been present for 55 years. This move puts the institution in the heart of downtown urban life and of major cultural and artistic developments expected in this part of the city in the near future,” Gauthier added, in a release.
He said the new quarters will be less expensive as there is less space being rented and it will give the organization more visibility in the community. He also said the new premises are considered only temporary until Carrefour francophone settles into a permanent facility.
“We are working on a business plan for a much much bigger (facility) project. We are in the process of firming up our business plan, much like the Art Gallery of Sudbury is developing their plans for new quarters,” he said.
Gauthier thinks his organization could only be three years away from a full fledged francophone cultural centre.
“After all the francophone community does not have the equivalent of a Caruso Club (for the Italian community). We now have a francophone bookstore, Grand Ciel Blue on Durham St. but we do not even have a francophone restaurant.”
He said the Ste-Anne-des-Pins residence is a heritage building that dates back to the very year the town of Sudbury was founded. Built in 1883, the two-story building has 3,500 square feet of usable space.
“It boasts a warm atmosphere, a central and practical location, unique architectural features and a welcome oasis of greenery in the downtown core. The walls are approximately 2 feet thick and conceal squared-off timbers that were covered with brick in 1893, making it one of the first brick buildings in Sudbury. It served as the first school in Sudbury, as well as its first presbytery.
He said the timber used in the thick walls were from when the town was called Ste Anne of the Pines after the giant pine forest in the area.
“Sudbury’s French community was born on this parcel of land”, Gauthier explained.
“Carrefour francophone itself, formerly called Centre des jeunes de Sudbury, was first located in the basement hall of Ste-Anne-des-Pins Church. The parking lot behind the residence is where La Slague’s auditorium stood. So our cultural centre is returning to a place that is historically significant for Sudbury’s francophone community,” he noted.
“This location has an inspiring symbolism that can energize our future endeavors, and it provides us with a great location in the heart of downtown at a time when the area appears poised for major progress.”
Gautier said there will be a celebration in the new location early in the new year.
Carrefour francophone de Sudbury is a cultural and community centre in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. Founded in 1950, when it was known as Centre des jeunes de Sudbury, it is the oldest French cultural centre in Ontario. Carrefour francophone operates 11 Tremplin centres (before and after school child care services), nine child care centres, summer camps, a school of music (la Clé de sol) and promotes between 15 and 20 concerts a year under the banner of La Slague.
For more information, visit www.carrefour.ca.
