PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal, June 15, 2022 – On July 1, the singer and founder of the group Clay and Friends, joined by citizens, will jump into the water at Quai Jacques Cartier in the Old Port of Montreal to demand the creation of a space intended for public swimming. This mobilization takes place within the framework of La semaine du Grand Splash, an initiative of Fondation Rivières.
The group will serve as honorary president of this series of festive and free events which will take place between July 1 and 10 in several locations in Quebec. It is a pleasure for the organizers of The Big Splash Week to see the members of Clay and Friends joining forces with the cause to raise awareness and mobilize a wide audience – especially young people who care about environmental issues.
Water, a sensitive chord for the group
The theme of water is a central element in the artistic approach of the group, which has established its headquarters in Verdun, the only place with a public beach near the center of Montreal.
“I spent the most beautiful moments of my life Underwater, whether it's writing new tunes in the shower or surfing the ocean or even at Habitat 67, water will always be a place I love to gather with my friends. es and live unforgettable and thirst-quenching experiences. This is Mike Clay from Clay and Friends aka Musica Popular De Verdun and it is for our unconditional love of water that we decided to name our new album AGUÀ EXTEND’EAU. It is important to drink water, to call your mom and participate in Fondation Rivières’s Grand Splash movement. #GrandSplash2022 #KeEpItMoViN » – Mike Clay
Huge swimming potential at the Old Port
The recent announcement of the opening of a port basin in the Port of Quebec has revived the population's interest in obtaining access to public swimming areas in large cities. Several places in the province, including the Jacques Cartier basin of the Old Port of Montreal, have all the assets to offer Montrealers a public and safe swimming area.
Remember that in dry weather, the water in the Old Port is of excellent quality: in such a context, it has only experienced one contamination event in ten years, between 2011 and 2021, according to data from the Aquatic environment monitoring network (RSMA) of the City of Montreal. After an episode of heavy rain, it would be enough to close access to the swimming area over a period of 24 to 72 hours, as at Verdun beach – the duration of closure varying depending on the extent of the overflow of the water networks. sewer.
Fondation Rivières would like to open the conversation with the Société du Vieux-Port de Montréal to create a safe swimming area at Quai Jacques-Cartier. “We are convinced that the Old Port of Montreal Corporation would have everything to gain from developing a swimming area in this location which has all the potential to become a strong symbol of the quality of life of citizens in Montreal,” specifies André Bélanger , general manager of Fondation Rivières.
Grand Splash events on several rivers in Quebec
Several Grand Splashes will take place across the province to challenge elected officials and decision-makers about the importance of providing free public access to swimming and ensuring water quality. The population is invited to jump into the water in several places that have confirmed their participation: In addition to the main event in the Old Port of Montreal, Chambly (canceled), Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Lambert, Sainte-Martine, Sainte-Anne-de-Sorel and Trois-Rivières will also be part of this edition. Other locations may be announced in the coming days.
To participate in The Big Splash Week
- Mandatory registrations and full programming at grandsplash.ca
- Open to everyone
- Free
- In the event of rain affecting water quality, a Grand Splash may be postponed to a later date. Stay tuned via grandsplash.ca
About Clay and Friends
In recent years, Clay and Friends has been able to thrill crowds with its electrifying rhythms and high-energy concerts. The group offers a punchy mix of hip-hop, soul and funk supported by prose like what we now call Musica Popular De Verdun. In March 2017, the band launched their first album and EP AGUÀ, which was transformed into an album on June 10 AGUÀ EXTEND’EAU.
About Fondation Rivières
For 20 years, Fondation Rivières has worked to preserve, restore and enhance the natural character of rivers and contributes to ensuring water quality and access to water for the Quebec population. The Foundation has been organizing The Grand Splash Week since 2019.
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Source :
Christian Généreux
Responsible for communications, development and mobilization
438 933-2762
christian.genereux@fondationrivieres.org
