By : Luc Paquette et Micheline Lemieux   /   2 October 2020

Towards a heritage constitution for Old Aylmer

Dear comrades of the ever-lasting revolution,

Towards a sustainable and innovative consensus for Old Aylmer.

What is historic and worth saving varies depending on the viewer. Simply put, “historic” means “old and worth it”. This applies to a building that is part of a community’s tangible past. And while it may surprise cynics, old buildings can provide opportunities for the future of a community.

Old buildings have intrinsic value.

Buildings from a certain era, i.e. before World War II, tend to be constructed with higher quality materials such as rare hardwoods (especially heart pine) and wood from old growth forests that are no longer exist.

The pre-war buildings were also built to different standards. A century-old building might be a better bet in the long run than its brand new counterparts.

As I have preached for 40 years, apply the teachings of Frank-Lloyd-Wright and you will have 300 years of bio architecture.

Old buildings are reminiscent of the culture and complexity of a city.

Seeing historic buildings – whether related to something famous or recognizable drama – tourists and longtime residents can witness the aesthetic and cultural history of an area. Just as banks prefer to build stately and old-fashioned facades, even when located in shopping malls, a city needs old buildings to maintain a sense of permanence and heritage.

Regret only goes one way.

Preserving historic buildings is a one-way street. There is no chance of renovating or saving a historic site once it is gone. And we can never be sure of what will be valued in the future. This reality highlights the importance of locating and saving buildings of historical significance, because once a piece of history is destroyed, it is lost forever.

Personally,

The Place des pionniers building reminds me of where I come from and who I am.

Although I adhere to the evolution of Greater Gatineau. I do not accept that we want to make this ugly ( for some people), but historic, monument disappear.

Architecturally,

Luc Paquette et Micheline Lemieux

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