Laval makes $12.5M offer to purchase Golf Ste-Rose land

The City of Laval has made a $12.5 million offer to purchase the Golf Ste-Rose property to turn it into a nature park.

“The Golf Ste-Rose property, which is equivalent in size to approximately 75 soccer fields, represents an exceptional opportunity for the northwest of our island. While some wanted to develop it for real estate, we chose to protect it, enhance it, and above all, make it accessible to the public. In collaboration with the residents of Laval, we will create a large riverside nature park offering unique access to outdoor activities,” said Stéphane Boyer, Mayor of Laval in a press release.

The property located along the Mille Îles River totals 52 hectares, including 14 hectares of wooded land. The City of Laval says it will become one of the largest protected natural areas in northwest Laval.

The acquisition process, which began last fall, was formalized on Feb. 3 at the city council meeting with the approval of the purchase to offer.

The Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and the Quebec government provided $4.5 million in financial support for the project as part of the Greater Montreal Green and Blue Belt program.

“By supporting the City of Laval in its acquisition of the Golf Ste-Rose land, our government is helping to preserve an exceptional natural heritage and provide the population with a vast outdoor space,” said Chantal Rouleau, Minister responsible for Social Solidarity and Community Action, Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal Region, and Member of Parliament for Pointe-aux-Trembles.

“The acquisition of Golf Ste-Rose fits perfectly with our vision of creating a network of metropolitan parks to provide residents with places for recreation and relaxation close to home. By protecting large green spaces like this one, in the heart of Greater Montreal, we are not only strengthening the region’s climate resilience, but also the collective well-being. It is thanks to this type of structuring project that we are making concrete progress toward our goal of conserving 30 per cent of the metropolitan area,” said Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montreal and President of the Montreal Metropolitan Community.

The City of Laval says it will lease the site to Golf Ste-Rose until November 30, 2027, allowing activities to continue for two golf seasons. During this time, the public and organizations will also be invited to provide their feedback on the future uses of the site. All information will be available this summer on the citizen participation platform.