Major Milestone in Public Broadcaster's History - Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Maison de Radio-Canada

MONTREAL, Oct. 1, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, Roger Plamondon, President of Broccolini Real Estate Group, and Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal, took part this morning in a ceremony to break ground for the new Maison de Radio-Canada (MRC). The ceremony also featured the release of dozens of butterflies.

Butterflies have been a symbol of transformation and innovation for CBC/Radio-Canada for more than 50 years. They were first used to mark the introduction of colour programming that would progressively become widespread. Butterflies reappeared in another form to highlight the transition to high definition. Today, they symbolize a drive towards the future represented by the new MRC in Montreal.

Now, more than ever, as an integral part of its neighbourhood against the backdrop of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, the new MRC will remain a focal point for media and digital creation and production in Montreal. The facility will be a source of pride for Montrealers, redefining the landscape that forms the gateway to the city's east end. It will serve as a unique technological, artistic and community hub, reflecting the public broadcaster's long history.

"The new Maison de Radio-Canada will reflect who we are – more digital, closer to Canadians, and at the heart of their conversations," said CBC/Radio-Canada's President and CEO, Hubert T. Lacroix.

"The future Maison de Radio-Canada will continue to be a place where CBCers get together to create fascinating things – things that move us, inform us, make us think, and make us smile. Canadians will also see themselves reflected in the new facility and be able to make this open, modern, attractive and dynamic public space their own."

"As our national public broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada plays a key role and is a leading partner in our vision for Canada's creative and cultural industries. We want it to be a platform for showcasing Canadian cultural content in both French and English, and to reflect Indigenous expression and our country's diversity. This new building will ensure that CBC/Radio-Canada can continue to serve the needs of audiences right across the country "  said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

 « Today marks an additional important step of a new development that will serve as a magnificent eastern gateway to downtown Montreal. The new Maison de Radio-Canada will quickly become an instantly recognizable landmark through its architecture as well as its authentic character. This neighbourhood is undergoing a major transformation. Just think of the new CHUM and the future Place des Montréalaises. The new Maison de Radio-Canada will add to the economic vitality of the area and to the pride of all Montrealers, » said Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.

We are proud to be the leading player in the redevelopment of the Papineau Square-Pied-du-Courant sector. As we did with L'Avenue in the Bell Centre area, we want to leave a lasting mark with an avant-garde building; one that will live up to the institution that will take up residence there in 2020, and that will become the cornerstone of the neighbourhood's vision for the future, » said Roger Plamondon, President of Broccolini Real Estate Group.

With a total footprint of over 418,000 square feet, the new MRC being built by Broccolini will consist of a seven-storey tower and a four-storey tower connected by a vast atrium open to the public.

Elegant, refined, modern and firmly rooted in the 21st century, the new MRC will create a dynamic, stimulating environment where creators and programmers will be inspired to collaborate and innovate. The new building is designed to meet the strictest environmental and sustainable development standards. Among the defining characteristics of the new MRC are a park, patios, a reduced heat island effect, as well as eco-friendly water and energy management.

According to the proposed timeline, the spaces for Radio-Canada's Central Equipment Room and Media Presentation Centre will be delivered in the summer of 2018. The new MRC should be completed by late 2019, with the official opening taking place in 2020.

SOURCE CBC/Radio-Canada