Saving both the Bingodrôme and the medical clinic

Verdun's social clubs and community organizations are very concerned by the potential change of vocation for the Bingodrome; an extremely important source of financing for seven community groups, among them the Notre-Dame-de-la-Trinité Parish. Former president of the Optimist Club, Jean-Pierre Chalifoux, and the president of Harmonie-Richelieu, Pierre de Gongre, confirmed that they are looking at alternative buildings to house the Bingodrôme.

It all began when a zoning change, for the area between Rielle and Willibrord streets, was requested this past June. The request aims to modify the residential zone so the Bingodrome can be converted into a medical clinic with a pharmacy.

As the owner of the Bingodrôme, Mario Bernard has the right to evaluate the offers made by the Clinique médicale de l'Ouest and the Jean Coutu pharmacy chain and eventually sell the building. The clinic is currently located at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Verdun. As their patients increased, so did their needs and parking is inadequate at the moment.

Councillor Touchette believes that the borough should act as a facilitator, so as to ensure that the medical clinic remains in Verdun and that the Bingodrome finds another building in the borough.

The councillor, who is also a school commissioner, fears that if the clinic is not allowed to move to the Bingodrôme site, the doctors will leave. Also conscious of the disastrous consequences that the Bingodrôme's closure could have on the Verdun community, members of council remain firm on preserving this important source of revenue for non-profit organizations. According to Pierre De Gongre, bingo represents close to $300,000 in revenues which allows for the purchase of school supplies and equipment, recreational activities for young and old, as well as food banks for the needy.

The president of Harmonie Richelieu however remains skeptical. He doubts that a space able to accommodate 300 people, and accessible both day and night, will be found in the borough. He instead proposes the construction of new premises at Parc Willibrord. Another solution proposed has the support of Jean-Pierre Chalifoux: using the premises of the former school (now a warehouse for the Marguerite-Bourgeoys School Board) on Champlain Blvd, between Gordon and Rielle.