Pointe-Claire's pioneer bar is being demolished despite protests

The notice of demolition that was erected at the 117-year-old Pointe-Claire building that houses the Pioneer Restaurant and Bar is challenged by residents who want the building to be preserved for its heritage value.

The owner says that the old pub in the Montreal suburbs is collapsing, and that she is delighted that a developer has agreed to buy it after 10 years of service on the market

. and she made a private sale, and in a way, people without any insight … have an opinion on what should be done with it, "said Mitch Kastner, a musician from Pointe-Claire who produced at the Pioneer

. wants to build condos on the property. This would require the demolition of the building, which is more than 100 years old.

A notice of demolition was posted outside the bar, informing residents that a demolition application was filed with the city and that the documents can be viewed.

A sign was placed outside the bar, informing residents that a demolition application was filed with the city and that documents can be viewed at City Hall . (Kate McKenna / CBC)

Let us quote the historical value

Some opponents of the demolition of the building claim that it has historical value and that it completes the history of the building. a picturesque stretch of shops, cafes and glaciers known as the Pointe-Claire Village. block the demolition of The Pioneer, "said Andrew Swidzinski, vice-chair of the Pointe-Claire Heritage Committee. "This is a 117-year-old heritage building, a gathering place for Pointe-Claire residents since all this time."

According to Pointe-Claire Mayor John Belvedere, the land is zoned appropriately for this type of development, (Kate McKenna / CBC)

According to the Mayor of Pointe-Claire, John Belvedere, the land is zoned appropriately for this type of development, and there is a need for housing in the city. [traduction]

"What I hear is that people want affordable housing in Pointe-Claire," Mr. Belvedere said. "To buy a single-family home in Pointe-Claire, there is no land available for the moment."