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| Customer Service | 514 872-6120 |
| Emergency and security | 514 872-9999 |
| Jean-Doré Beach | 514 872-0199 |
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Ecological restoration the Grande Poudrière's ponds
The Grande Poudrière's ponds are located in the middle of Île Sainte-Hélène, near an artificial lake that was dug in the late 1840s. The ponds are part of the defence system of the old military site on Île Sainte-Hélène, which is of great patrimonial significance. The first formal development was designed by landscape architect Frederick Gage Todd in the 1930s, while a second more naturalistic, superimposed layout, was done by W. S. Goshorn in the years 1950-1960.
Parc Jean-Drapeau's bodies of water, except for the Grande Poudrière's ponds, draw their water from various places of the Saint Lawrence River. The Grande Poudrière's ponds currently use the drinkable water from the aqueduct for supply replenishing and daily maintenance.
Rehabilitation work
The rehabilitation work on the Grande Poudrière's ponds is much needed, both for their enhancement and providing better access to the ponds to the Parc's visitors. The work will be carried out over a two-year span and it should be completed by the summer of 2025.
Once it has been done, the rehabilitation work will enable visitors to enjoy a renewed, more ecological landscaping experience through the building of a laid-back area with universally accessible walking trails and an outdoor spot that is both edifying and educational.
Characteristics of the sector and its components
The condition ot the existing layout is such that some major work is required to improve the sealing and waterproofing of the system, the water supply, the circulation and oxygenation system, shoreline support, plants, masonry work and footbridges.
Most of the visible or submerged infrastructures, such as wooden bridges, terraces and retaining walls, are restored. The adding of aquatic and terrestrial plants brings an ecological function to the site, in a series of four complementary ecosystems: filtering marshes, wet meadow, a shallow pond and deep pond; these are what are inspiring the sketches of architects who are behind the development of the project.
From a sustainable development aspect, Parc Jean-Drapeau is including the following elements in the project:
- Drilling an artesian well to eliminate consumption of water from the aqueduct (chlorinated);
- Waterproofing the ponds to reduce the loss of water;
- Overhauling the pumping system to ensure a closed-circuit system for water filtration and circulation;
- Developing plant, riparian and water ecosystems for natural water filtration and enhancing the area's biodiversity;
- Adding new trails, ramps and footbridges to provide universal accessibility on the edge of the ponds;
- Seeking SITES certification for the project, delivered by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).
Timetable
August 2023 to July 2025
Rehabilitation of the Grande Poudrière's ponds, creation of new ecosystems and enhancing overall accessibility.
| Budget | $12.9 million |
| Status | Finished |
| Impact | The ponds, which are usually full in early May, will not be full in 2023, nor will they be during the two years in which the work is conducted. They will not be accessible to the public while the work is ongoing. |
Learn more
To obtain more details or for any request for information, do not hesitate to contact our staff.
Mobility
Getting to Tour de Lévis
To make it easier to get around, here is the exact location of the Grande Poudrière at Parc Jean-Drapeau posted on Google Maps.
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