New vocation for the Hélène-de-Champlain building

MONTRÉAL, Nov. 2, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Coinciding with the tabling of the City of Montreal's 2017-2019 three-year Capital Works Program, Société du parc Jean-Drapeau announces its intention to convert the Hélène-de-Champlain heritage building, located at Parc Jean-Drapeau, in a high-end event rental complex.

Construction for the project will begin in 2017, with the opening scheduled for 2019. The Société du parc Jean-Drapeau (SPJD) will receive $10 million in funding from the City of Montréal to finish the building renovations. The investment includes architectural and structural work, electromechanics, decorating and finishing, as well as architectural landscaping. A general public aspect, which is yet to be defined, will make the Hélène-de-Champlain building accessible to the population at all times.

"This magnificent heritage building will finally have a new life, and that is outstanding news," said Danièle Henkel, the chair of the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau's board of directors. "When I arrived as the board chair of the Société in 2015, I announced we were going to find an alternative use for this building, which had been closed since 2009. The investment being announced today will result in finishing the building renovations and being able to use it, as well as giving access to the public to this heritage jewel."

Based on the analyses conducted by the Secor/KPMG firm, the Hélène-de-Champlain will be able to generate income from its first year of operation, and this would cover the operating costs. After that, profits will grow in subsequent years. The SPJD will manage the building once the construction is completed.

According to the proposed concept, the Hélène-de Champlain will offer four rental halls with a total area of 1,441 m² of space, which can accommodate 800 people seated or 1,500 in a cocktail setting. A business, corporate, philanthropic, private clientele, as well as event promoters, will have the opportunity to rent these new renovated spaces.

About the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau
The Société du parc Jean-Drapeau is a City of Montréal paramunicipal organization whose mission is to administrate, develop, protect and animate Parc Jean-Drapeau.  For further information, please go to www.parcjeandrapeau.com.

SOURCE SOCIETE DU PARC JEAN-DRAPEAU

Image with caption: "The Hélène-de-Champlain heritage building will be converted in a high-end event rental complex, including a general public aspect that remains to be defined. (CNW Group/SOCIETE DU PARC JEAN-DRAPEAU)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161102_C1353_PHOTO_EN_810152.jpg

For further information: Media: Geneviève Boyer, Manager, Communications, Société du parc Jean-Drapeau, 514 872-7322, [e-mail]