BUDGET OF THE YEAR. The year 2022 passed with the speed of light. After finally “letting go” of the pandemic, it was possible to regain a certain rhythm and enjoy life a little more. Each month, the news was numerous. The Express I went through the local chronicles to highlight a few headlines that deserved your attention. This is what January 2022 has in store for us.
News
COVID-19. The transition into the new year is happening once again under the sign of COVID-19 and new health measures are coming into effect. A curfew is in effect between 10pm and 5am, under penalties ranging from $1,000 to $6,000. The start of the school year in primary, secondary, general adult education and face-to-face vocational training is postponed to 17 January.
MUNICIPAL. In the Drummond MRC, several councils are looking for candidates to fill the vacancies of their respective directorate-general. These are Durham-Sud, Saint-Edmond-de-Grantham, Saint-Germain-de-Grantham, Saint-Guillaume, Wickham and Saint-Lucien.
CONSTRUCTION SITE. Work has begun on the new purification plant. The first phases of demolition, excavation, containment and batching begin. Preliminary pipe laying works were completed in December 2021. Work started in July 2021 with the official inauguration. The construction site was initially to start a few weeks later. However, the project was put on hold in August when city officials faced a $27.5 million increase in the total cost. The overall project went from $81 million to $108.5 million. According to the city, various factors pushed up preliminary cost estimates, including the effect of the pandemic on construction and materials. Despite higher than expected costs, the contract was awarded in December.
SOCIETY. The Drummond Food Counter has exceeded the financial goal set at $400,000 under Guignolée 2021. Including contributions from various partners and community participation, a total of $421,779 has been raised to address food insecurity across the MRC by Drummond.
DIGITAL. The National Integrated Center for Intelligent Manufacturing (CNIMI) will receive 1.6 million dollars from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI) to carry out more digital projects with entrepreneurs, who will have the possibility to repay up to 75% of the their 4.0 related project. In addition to the MEI grant, there is a contribution from Siemens in terms of expertise, equipment and software, worth $375,000.
DEMOGRAPHY. For the first time in its history, the population of the City of Drummondville surpassed 80,000. In fact, 1,329 Drummondville residents added to the population in 2021, a population increase of approximately 1.7%. With an estimated population of 80,676 people in 2021, Drummondville remains 15and rank of the most populous cities in Quebec.
WEATHER REPORT. The beginning of the year is quite painful in terms of temperatures. Drummondville has not experienced such a bitter cold in January since 2004. The coldest day was January 15, when the mercury reached -22.8°C. The seasonal normals for this month are -7°C during the day and -18°C at night for an average of -10.4°C.
EDUCATION. The location of the new Cégep de Drummondville pavilion is now known. The construction will be located at the front of the existing building. The first sketches of the expansion project have been revealed to the public. We discover a five-story building with large windows. What we don’t see on the floor plan is that there are two walkways in the back that are attached to the existing building. The extension will be built on the front lot. The Cégep de Drummondville hopes that the expansion project will materialize in 2024 or 2025.
JUSTICE. Québec Justice Minister and Attorney General Simon Jolin-Barrette announces a first set of districts, including that of Drummond, in which pilot projects for a court specializing in sexual assault and domestic violence will be implemented.
MUNICIPAL. Construction is in full swing in Drummondville. Council recorded a record year of permits in 2021. The value of permits issued is between 1and On January 31 and December 31, they totaled $433.6 million. The previous record of $280.6 million dates back to 2020.
HISTORY. The Drummond Historical Society (SHD) invites citizens to meet in 60 years when the chest of the “Collection of Memories” project will be opened to discover the daily life of the people here. On Monday, January 31, 2022, cabinetmaker and former SHD attorney Raymond Clair and Gabriel Cormier set in place the final screw that has been sealing the trunk for 60 years. Inside, protected from the weather, the time capsules are carefully stored in “ph neutral” pockets, which will prevent documents from being contaminated over time.
Culture
DRA extension. In recent years, the Galerie d’art Desjardins has undertaken a major change with the aim of becoming a center of attraction for current and digital art. After initiating bold projects, developing a cultural mediation program and gaining museum accreditation, the art center is ready to formalize its new identity: DRAC – Art Actur Drummondville.
CULTURE. The new year is off to a strong start for haikist Diane Descôteaux, as she has just won the Europoetry Special Prize at the 2021 UNICEF competition, an international accolade that recognizes all of her work. For the first time she gets a distinction recognizing all her lyrics about her.
MUSIC. William Cloutier presents himself in a new light on his first album, About Ira. Through the process, the artist discovered a talent for songwriting, which allowed him to write songs that were both personal and committed.
OSD. The board of directors of the Orchester symphonique de Drummondville announces the departure of its general director, Diane Pepin. After more than ten years dedicated to general management, Mrs. Pipino leaves for a well-deserved early retirement.
Sports
HOCKEY. Charles-David Beaudoin has had a turbulent first half of the season, but he’s not the one to complain about it. The Drummondville hockey player is living a dream playing in the Montreal Canadiens affiliate network.
HOCKEY. Émile Beaunoyer wasted no time in winning his first season in the Quebec U18 AAA Hockey Development League. Released by the Cantonniers de Magog, the young goalkeeper from Drummondville immediately took his place in the Albatross net of the Collège Notre-Dame de Rivière-du-Loup. Piling up solid performances in the first half of the season, the 15-year-old rookie has developed into one of the best goalkeepers on the circuit.
HOCKEY. The doors of professional hockey open in front of William Leblanc. The Drummondvillois have signed a contract with the Lions of Trois-Rivières, the new branch of the Montreal Canadiens in the ECHL. The 23-year-old striker thus leaves the ranks of the Patriotes of the University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières (UQTR), where he had been playing for just over two years.
-MOTOR RACE. Raphaël Kiopini’s career takes an important turn in 2022. The young driver from Drummondville makes the leap to the Formula 2000 national championship in the United States. Approved by the Sport Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing organization, the “US Major Tour” circuit consists of 12 40-minute races spread over six weekends.
CYCLING. Hugo Houle is one of ten finalists in a competition organized by the Fédération québécoise des sports cyclists (FQSC) to determine the best cycling performance of the past year. Canadian champion in the individual time trial, Hugo Houle outdid himself during the Tokyo Olympics. During the individual time trial, the Saint-Perpétue rider took 13and rank among the 41 registered athletes.
STANDARD MACHINE. The future of the Drummond racetrack and the Saint-Guillaume Super Speedway is uncertain. A serious purchase offer has been made for the Drummondvilloise track while the owner of the Saint-Guillaume circuit is looking to sell the land.
BOXING. A great boxer from Drummondvilloise died on Wednesday 19th January. Denis Chapdelaine would have turned 80 in February, but the disease overcame him while he was surrounded by his loved ones at the Sainte-Croix hospital.
COMPETITION. Antonin Lauzière completed the challenge he set out to travel more than 600 kilometers across the Gaspé peninsula in the heart of January. Setting off on January 6, Antonin Lauzière hoped to cover the 625 kilometers of the Petit tour de l’Est in less than a week and thus beat the record of eight days and 16 hours he set in spring 2020. Avrà has achieved his goal , half since he crossed the finish line on January 14, exactly eight days after his departure. During this journey, the runner faced temperatures below -40 degrees Celsius and winds of 85 kilometers per hour.
SOCCER. The Cégep de Drummondville football team has found its new assistant coach. This is Louis-Jean Guimond, who will support the new coach Francis Lapointe.
