(Ottawa, December 3, 2022) — The Vanier Museopark is proud to launch the reconstruction of the Vanier Sugar Shack today. After being destroyed by a fire in August 2020, the Sugar Shack will rise from its ashes to the delight of the community.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together volunteers, the general public and several dignitaries including The Honourable Mona Fortier (President of the Treasury Board and MP for Ottawa-Vanier), Lucille Collard (MPP for Ottawa-Vanier), Jim Watson (Mayor of the City of Ottawa), municipal councilors Mathieu Fleury (Rideau-Vanier) and Rawlson King (Rideau-Rockcliffe), the management of the Museopark, represented by Jonathan Paquette (President of the Board) and Madeleine Meilleur (Interim General Manager) as well as François Dion (VP, Development for Maylan Construction Services).
“We are delighted to be able to begin the construction of the new Vanier Sugar Shack almost a year and a half after the disaster,” said Mr. Paquette. It was imperative for the Museopark to breathe new life into this Vanier heritage monument. Its reconstruction will allow us to remain anchored in the community and continue to offer activities that are highly valued by the residents of Ottawa.”
“The reconstruction of the Sugar Shack allowed us to modernize the maple syrup production facilities as well as giving us the opportunity to expand, says Mrs. Meilleur. The new Sugar Shack will be one-third larger than the previous one, enabling us to welcome more people all year long, but also to hold various activities to stimulate the development of our community.”
The work, which was entrusted to the construction firm Maylan, will continue until the summer of 2022. Improvements to the new Sugar Shack include:
Vanier’s first sugar shack was built in 1939 by the White Fathers and is the only urban sugar shack in North America. It is located in a dense 17.5 acre maple forest with more than 500 taps that produce up to 600 litres of maple syrup each sugar season.
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For more information or for interview requests, please contact:
Annick Normand
Communications & Marketing Manager, Vanier Museopark
communication@museoparc.ca