After sailing against the odds and faced theskepticism of many people for years, Gérald Lemoyne finally reaping thefruits of his efforts.(Photo: archives/Réal Lavigne) (Photo: Archives / Réal Lavigne)
. After sailing against all odds for years, the mayor of Lebel-sur-Quevillon finally reaping the fruits of his efforts.If many people were resigned to see go out after thefinal closure of the Domtar pulp mill in December 2008, all indicationsare that the small northern community is beginning to revive.
« "The years of misery is behind us, assured Mr. Lemoyne. I remember that after the closure of the factory and sawmill, we had up to 75 homes for sale.. Which is huge for a municipality which then had 4200 inhabitants. But now they have almost all been sold. "
Imminent recovery of the pulp mill?
The booming mining partly explains this renewedinterest in Lebel-sur-Quevillon, but also the reactivation of the oldpulp mill that, according to Gérald Lemoyne, is about to start.«"It is a goal in mid-July.There are only tiny details to work out, "he said.
The mayor has declined to say against that would boost the plant and what kind of products would be manufactured there.. Last April, the newspaper was, however, revealedthat RueFrontenac transaction between Domtar and the Vancouver-FortressPaper was imminent. According to theinformation that had filtered, there was talk of converting the factoryto produce rayon, a fiber that replaces cotton in clothing, from woodfiber. "This is information that has circulated in fact," merely to comment on Mr. Lemoyne.
Confounded the skeptics
. What is certain, for cons is that the mining development in full swing around Lebel-sur-Quevillon.Upcoming opening of the mine Lac-Bachelor of Metanor, recoveryoperations at the Langlois mine in Breakwater, discovery of rare earthmade by GeoMegA property Montviel or Comtois gold project led byMaudore, new interest is growing.
« "Mines, yes it is not going to do tomorrow, but it's encouraging. It appears on the morale of people. It's more than hope, it is now of vitality. Iremember at the time of closing, citizens and politicians told me theybelieved in recovery because I was saying, but basically they did notbelieve it really.
«"The years of misery is behind us" - Gérald Lemoyne
New Faces
The municipality also knows a revival in the renovation and new construction.To the point where the board is evaluating the possibility of opening a new housing development.Developers have even expressed an interest in the old building of theHotel Quévillon to convert units of temporary housing for miners andforestry workers.
"We see more and more new faces and several strollers, said the mayor. It's very encouraging. One advantage of being at the door of the True North, while exploration companies prefer to settle in town instead of going up mining camps in the woods, "he said.