The Patri-Arch study goes on to describe the site as follows: “Initially a novitiate, the building was enlarged several times: the façade was altered in 1926. Then, a fourth floor was added to the first two buildings in 1929. A four-storey wing with a footbridge connecting it to the previous building was built in 1932, followed by the infirmary in 1975, the Val-Marie and Delia-Tetreault pavilions in 1980 and 1985 respectively, and finally the employee cafeteria in 1992. The convent is currently occupied by retired nuns; one of the buildings serves as an infirmary for the sisters of the community. The contractor for the first part of the building was Damien Boileau. This same contractor was hired again for the extension of the building in 1926. In 1929, an additional floor was added. Architect Jos Sawyer designed the plans for the chapel in 1932 while contractor Jules Toralli was responsible for its construction.”

Heritage value of the site

Also according to Patri-Arch, “the superior heritage value of this building lies in its history, use, architectural interest, authenticity and context. It houses the motherhouse of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, which was constructed in 1924 to the designs of architect Jos Sawyer and includes a brick, flat-roofed, wood-paneled chapel (1932), archives and health services. […] The complex is composed of several wings, the two main ones of which display a symmetrical Beaux-Arts composition marked by a forebody and an attic, as well as neoclassical ornamentation with pilasters, rounded pediments and projecting cornices. It is located across from the rivière des Prairies and enjoys a quiet, quality environment near the heart of Pont-Viau.”

Current context

This building is located in the heart of the Cartier metro area in Pont-Viau, where a special urban planning program (programme particulier d’urbanisme, or PPU, in French) has been put in place to transition the neighborhood into a TOD (transit-oriented development) sector. In parallel to this issue, the Missionary Sisters have been trying for some time to sell this building which has become too large and too expensive for their means. With the growing number of condominium projects in the area and the changes related to the conversion of the neighbourhood to TOD, we are concerned about the future of the building, and especially of its vocation.

Last June, the City of Laval offered a budget of $150,000 to the Pôle régional en économie sociale de Laval (PRESL) in order to carry out an exploratory study of the use of the space, but the amount requested by the sisters for their building and the costs of renovation seem too high for the feasibility of PRESL’s project, which includes social housing and a community services pole. The idea is noble, but Laval organizations do not have sufficient revenues to purchase such a place. There is always the risk that the site will be targeted by real estate developers (if it is not already) for conversion into luxury housing. Pont-Viau, with its social safety net, does not have a population that can live in such facilities, and there is a risk of both an exodus of vulnerable people and the disappearance of a heritage building. Perhaps there is reason to act.

Additional reference – External link

• Patri-Arch (2016). Évaluation patrimoniale du Couvent des Soeurs missionnaires de l’Immaculée-Conception (in French). Study conducted for the City of Laval, available on the Laval open data website.