Lac-Megantic Reconstruction Office inaugurated with $2M federal pledge

Police and emergency officials on Laval St. in Lac Megantic, up the hill from the devastating fire that destroyed a section of town (July 8, 2013)

The Lac-Megantic Reconstruction Office officially opened Saturday afternoon in the centre of the town devastated by a train explosion in July 2013.

The office employs five people who assist developers in their projects and try to attract public and private investors to the city.

Since it began its activities in September, five major projects have been accepted, while several others are in progress.

The hotel and community centre are in the works as well as a social housing building, explained the centre's director Stephane Lavallee.

“It's still emotional, it's still difficult,” said Lavallee. “We lost people in this tragedy but we have a lot to rebuild and at the same time it's hope.”

Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau attended the official opening Saturday afternoon, announcing federal funding for the project.

“Yes will remember what happened but they're also moving forward and that is something that should be applauded and we are all here to help them,” said Garneau.

Of the $2.2 million total budget for the office over three years, Ottawa will pay $1.96 million.

The amount is part of a $35 million federal fund announced in 2013 to help the city's economic recovery.

“We have a big support from the federal government since day one,” said Lavallee

The disaster was caused when a runaway train with oil tank cars derailed in July 2013, killing 47 people and causing raging fires.

While in Lac-Megantic, Garneau stated that a study is ongoing to determine whether or not the train track can be diverted around the town.

“That is a study looking at the possibility of detouring, it's underway,” he said. “There is a company that's under contract, it's doing urban several phases and I will be following very closely to see what they have to say.”

Garneau said spoke with the president of Central Maine and Quebec Railway who has pledged that no crude oil will be transported through the town in 2016.

With files from The Canadian Press