Bathurst mayor says convention centre could go where fire destroyed 4 buildings
Future of city's downtown uncertain 1 year after major fire that caused more than $1M in damage
The mayor of Bathurst says a new convention centre could fill the hole left when four buildings were destroyed or demolished after a fire in the city's downtown late last year.
"There are no such facilities in the northern part of the province," Mayor Paolo Fongemie told Radio-Canada.
On Nov. 27, 2015, Bathurst emergency crews responded to a building fire shortly before midnight at King Ave. The fire quickly spread to neighbouring buildings on Main Street and King Avenue.
It took firefighters from Bathurst and several neighbouring agencies more than 16 hours to get the fire under control.
The blaze destroyed several local businesses, including a café and wine bar, a pet store, several office spaces and the former Bank of Montreal building, which was built in 1919.
Lots belong to different owners
More than a year later, the lots remain empty, though some people park there.
The vacant lots belong to different owners, and the city council wants to attract new entrepreneurs to fill the gap in the downtown core.
Fongemie is floating the idea of the convention centre.
He said a facility like that can attract businesspeople to the north of the province. Having been here, they may return on vacation, he said.
The city is confident a project of some sort will take shape in the next few years.
Perry Kinsman, 53, of Bathurst has been charged with arson in connection with the fire, which caused more than $1 million in damage. He is awaiting a trial date.
With files from Radio-Canada