Park des cèdres mini-putt neglected for a decade, city hopeful for Canteen operation this year

Sophie Demers

The mini-golf facility behind the sailing club is a city facility that sat empty since 2012. The rental building, the mini-putt infrastructure and the public restrooms have fallen into disrepair over the decade. The “Chalet de Service de la Plage des Cèdres” has also been vacant for many years. Aylmer Councillor Steven Boivin has been pushing the city to get the canteen building run by a local organization since his election. 

Gatineau says that in early March the Aylmer Service Centre contacted several non-profit organizations to participate in a pilot project for the operation of a food counter at the canteen.

Gatineau is currently having discussions with interesting organizations. If an agreement is reached, the organization can start operating early this summer. More details will be available after an agreement is reached. “I remain confident that it will be functional this summer. I insist that it will be!” said Boivin. 

Previously, the organization Place-aux-Jeunes, a province-wide program with a section created by the staff of Grande-Rivière High School operated the canteen and the mini-putt near the Marina. The organization had an exchange student community support program that helped run the sites. Place-aux-Jeunes stopped their operations there in 2012 as the mini-putt needed repair investments, their student program had difficulties and few student volunteers. 

Gatineau says the infrastructure of the mini-putt site was removed around 2017-2018. There is no plan to operate a mini-golf course this summer. The city did not provide information about plans for the vacant site. 

Photo Caption: Vacant mini putt site near the Aylmer Marina. 

Photo Credit: Sophie Demers