PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal, June 20, 2019 – The 15th edition of Grand Splash will take place this summer, still near the Jacques-Cartier quay in the Old Port of Montreal. In the morning, during a heatwave, Montrealers will be invited to jump into our majestic St. Lawrence River!
Led by the Fondation Rivières, the event is always relevant to loudly demand access to swimming places where the water quality is generally excellent and is not in doubt at the time of the event. “Verdun beach was finally inaugurated today, which is another step towards reclaiming our waterways. But we must continue to demand better access to the water surrounding the island of Montreal, particularly in the city center,” says Alain Saladzius, president of Fondation Rivières, who cites Paris Plage in particular as a source of inspiration.
Moreover, this “summer development of the banks of the Seine (…) resonates with Montrealers who wish to reclaim their insularity, thanks to beach projects on the banks of the Saint-Laurent” wrote Valérie Plante in the preface to “La life in public space, how to study it” (Écosociété, March 2019). The mayor of Montreal was among the splashers during the last editions of the event, including the Grand Splash 2018, and is listening to the proposals of the Montréal Baignade Citizen Committee.
To find out the date of Montreal's most popular event or to participate, fill out the short online form: http://www.montrealbaignade.org/
Montreal Swimming Citizen Committee
The Montreal Bathing Citizen Committee is a group of Montreal citizens concerned about the lack of public access to the banks and water of the St. Lawrence River, surrounding the island of Montreal. Every year, the group meets during the summer period for the Grand Splash to assert its demands with elected officials and citizens. Since 2003, many citizens have invested in the cause. montrealbaignade.org
Fondation Rivières
The Fondation Rivières's mission is to work to preserve, restore and enhance the natural character of rivers and lakes, as well as water quality. The Fondation Rivières supports activities promoting responsible recreational use of water, so that people reconnect with this precious shared resource. foundationrivieres.org
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For information :
Julie Sabourin
Communications Officer
Fondation Rivières, for the Montréal Baignade Citizen Committee
514 576-2974 | montrealbaignade@gmail.com
Alain Saladzius
President
Fondation Rivières, for the Montréal Baignade Citizen Committee
514 924-2013 | presidency@fondationrivieres.org
Photo: Chantal Lévesque