Aylmer 2025: a year of community strength, resilience, connection
Tashi Farmilo
In Aylmer, 2025 was a year marked by civic pride, local wins, and deepening roots in both culture and community. From roadwork to ribbon cuttings, the town saw movement on many fronts.
The 175th anniversary of the paving of Aylmer Road brought renewed attention to heritage. Residents celebrated the protection of the beloved red-brick house at 46 rue Principale, while raising concern over the proposed 99-unit development at 8 rue Lattion. An adaptive-reuse concept elsewhere in Old Aylmer offered a more careful approach, and months of community advocacy secured the preservation and relocation of the Manoir Quesnel at 1175 chemin d’Aylmer. Heritage advocacy remained strong. Council also approved a new Aylmer heritage inventory, adding hundreds of historically significant properties to the city’s records.
Neighbourhood stewardship also defined the year. Residents gathered for the fifth-anniversary celebration of the protection of the Deschênes Forest, recognizing years of citizen action that stopped development and reshaped the area’s future. Separately, the Fondation Forêt Boucher finalized its “Tous pour le parc” campaign after receiving a major donation from Brigil, allowing work to continue improving accessibility and recreational amenities in the Boucher Forest.
Lucerne Boulevard finally began reconstruction after years of frustration, with work expected to improve safety, transit flow, and active-transport connections through 2026. The long-awaited competitive tennis courts opened behind École secondaire de la Nouvelle-Ère, answering years of calls from local players. The 2025 ice fishing tournament was held at Baie Simard in Deschênes, bringing the community together and raising funds for local charities. Community members gathered to celebrate the official opening of the Maison Communautaire d’Aylmer, as well as the 20th anniversary of the Partenaires du Secteur Aylmer (PSA), who led the effort to restore and repurpose the 1875 former presbytery at 61 rue du Couvent into a welcoming hub for local services and collaboration.
The Corporation du Vieux Aylmer formally launched as a nonprofit dedicated to neighbourhood events, organizing a lively Oktoberfest and reviving the Aylmer 500 soapbox derby on rue Principale. Young racers filled the street again, echoing traditions from decades past.
The Aylmer Community Theatre (ACT), founded by Peggy and Rick Henderson, was forced to shut down operations due to rising costs and a lack of performance space. The company had previously found success with productions like Perfect Wedding and It’s a Wonderful Life, building a loyal audience and mentoring many local talents.
L’Imagier marked its 50th anniversary with a thoughtful retrospective celebrating founder Pierre Debain and Yvette Debain. Separately, the “Au parc” summer series brought free Saturday concerts to Parc de l’Imaginaire, pairing local musicians with visiting breweries and restaurants. At Espace Pierre-Debain, Arts visuels de Gatineau presented a collective exhibition exploring nature and climate. Music lovers packed the 5e Baron for a Cozy-7 concert, where local artist Lefty Sancho headlined a festive evening of bilingual country tunes.
Community gathering places continued to thrive. Bingo at the Aydelu Centre remained one of Aylmer’s busiest weekly traditions. The 2024 Best of Aylmer Readers’ Choice Awards celebrated dozens of beloved local businesses and individuals. Pizza Glenwood took home the most overall votes, while Restaurant Alpina, Physio Prime, and the Aylmer Veterinary Clinic were also among the many winners recognized at the annual gala. The event also included a tribute to longtime entrepreneur George Ayoub for his decades of service to the local business community.
The Aylmer Food Centre’s Open Doors event showcased partner agencies and reminded residents that the centre provides far more than food assistance. The Aydelu Centre hosted its annual Valentine’s Day dinner, organized by Guy Rochon and the Corporation de l’âge d’or, drawing a sold-out crowd for an evening of love, laughter, and dancing, with local elected officials serving meals to guests.
A serious assault on Promenade Lakeview in July led to an ongoing police investigation. Earlier in the year, an elderly woman using a wheelchair was struck in a hit-and-run at Wilfrid-Lavigne and Principale, prompting a petition for stronger traffic controls and better visibility at key intersections. Work is also advancing toward construction of a new Aylmer police station beside the current site. And, the community mourned the loss of Kevin MacDonald, a beloved father and friend remembered for his warmth, humour, and deep devotion to his family.
Local initiatives flourished across sectors. Jardin Collectif North continued its pedal-powered compost program, collecting organic waste from cafés and markets and turning it into soil for the community garden. The Knights of Columbus distributed more than 100 winter coats through the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. A charity golf tournament raised over $11,000 for the same organization. Aylmer Home Hardware earned national recognition, and the Rapido convenience store celebrated 40 years serving residents. Physio Prime marked its fourth anniversary. M Fitness in Galeries Aylmer continued expanding its services and community reach. Le Lib Aylmer, located on rue Principale, was among the winners of the 2024 Prix Signature awards, recognizing its contribution to local vitality and culture.
Arts and culture stayed vibrant. Wrestling fans packed the Aydelu Centre. RAWQ Quiz Night brought English-speaking residents together for fundraising and friendly rivalry. Marie-Soleil Labelle, a young Aylmer racing driver, received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for leadership and community involvement.
Boris Lamontagne, in collaboration with the residents’ group Les Amis de la Marina, introduced a pilot project for a cross-country ski trail at Parc des Cèdres. Over 200 people gathered at the Aydelu Centre for the annual King’s Day celebration, dancing to traditional Québécois folk music led by well-known “câlleur” Érick Tarte, with a king and queen crowned to close the evening. Canada Post service disruptions affected delivery of the Aylmer Bulletin, but distribution resumed in December, restoring access for local readers.
So much more unfolded across Aylmer in 2025. Each story, big or small, reflected the heart of residents who were rooted in community spirit, pride, and resilience. Through it all, the Aylmer Bulletin was there to capture and share the moments that define this tight-knit and vibrant corner of Gatineau.
