Pointe-Claire's The Pioneer bar set for demolition despite opposition
The demolition notice that went up at the 117-year-old Pointe-Claire building that houses The Pioneer restaurant-bar is being met with defiance by residents who want the building to be preserved for its heritage value.
The owner, Diane Marois, says the old pub in the on-island suburb of Montreal is falling apart, and that she's glad a developer agreed to buy it after it was on the market for 10 years.
"This is a private business, and she made a private sale, and somehow people without any insight ... have an opinion on what should be done with it," said Mitch Kastner, a Pointe-Claire musician who performs at The Pioneer, who spoke on behalf of Marois.
The new owner wants to build condos on the property, but that would require demolishing the historic building.
The demolition notice posted outside the bar says an application for demolition was filed with the city, and that documents can be consulted at City Hall.
Critics cite historical value
Some of those who oppose the demolition of the building say it has historical value and complements the quaint stretch of shops, cafés and ice cream parlours that give Pointe-Claire Village its charm.
"We want the city to block the demolition of The Pioneer," said Andrew Swidzinski, vice president of the Pointe-Claire Heritage committee. "It's a 117-year-old heritage building. It's been a gathering place for Pointe-Claire residents for all that time."
According to Pointe-Claire Mayor John Belvedere, the land is zoned appropriately for this type of development, and there's a need for housing in the city.
"What I'm hearing is that people want affordable housing in Pointe-Claire," Belvedere said. "To buy a single family home in Pointe-Claire, right now there's no land available."
