For safety reasons, the Fondation des ressources alternatives du Sud-Ouest (FRAS), based on Île Dondaine in the former Camp Bosco premises, has decided to restrict access to the island it shares with the Ville de Salaberry-de-Valleyfield since 2023.

On Monday, August 19, Néomédia spoke live from the organization's offices with general manager Brigitte Asselin, communications advisor Rachel Gauthier-Langlois and Jean-Luc Brassard, spokesperson for this well-known former resort.

From the outset, Ms. Asselin pointed out that the insurers had given clear instructions for the use of trails on FRAS property. Among these instructions, FRAS must provide its insurers with proof of a notarized right-of-way in due form in favor of the Ville de Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. In fact, the Ville de Salaberry-de-Valleyfield had requested this from FRAS in writing on May 23, 2023. Since then, FRAS has maintained and secured the entire île Dondaine at its own expense, without ever requesting financial compensation from the Ville de Salaberry-de-Valleyfield or the waterfront.  

A right of way at the heart of the matter

“We realized that a lot of false information was circulating on social networks, and we want to set the record straight. At the moment, the Ville de Salaberry-de-Valleyfield drives through the FRAS property to get to the Île-des-Patriotes municipal park. However, no notarized right-of-way is currently in force. Since we acquired the property in 2023, we have asked the City of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield to resolve the situation ten times,” says Ms. Asselin.

“The majority of communications sent to the City were by e-mail. Each time, they were aimed at resolving the situation, i.e. ensuring that the right-of-way was officially notarized to meet the insurers' requirements and allow use of the trails. In fifteen months, our attempts were in vain, as things were not moving. Exasperated by the numerous misdeeds committed on Île Dondaine day and night since our arrival, and following recommendations from FRAS's insurers, backed up by legal opinions, our Board of Directors decided to take action and close public access to control what goes on there day and night. Prior to this step, several actions had been taken by our team and subcontractors at our expense”, she relates. 

In May 2023, a meeting took place between FRAS president Marielle Beaulieu, Ms. Asselin and City representatives on another subject. At the end of the meeting, FRAS representatives advised the City that they would be prohibiting the presence of dogs on FRAS property as a result of the numerous situations they had encountered with dog owners, in which the latter had refused to comply with the regulations and the Act to promote the protection of persons through the establishment of a framework concerning dogs. Indeed, many dog owners have taken to walking their dogs on Dondaine Island without a leash. 

Since May 2023, the FRAS team has been trying to make site visitors aware of the regulations in force. On July 29, the FRAS team continued to raise awareness among visitors to the site by distributing leaflets featuring elements of the bylaw poster, which can still be seen at the site entrance.“The problem is that the site has been known for decades, and people believe that anything goes. They come to walk the trails, even though they're not safe. They come to party on the pebbles. They come to have sex, they come to use drugs and alcohol, they come to peep, and some even come to hunt and fish. One of the windows of the community hall was smashed by a bullet, and one of our employees was shot 3 feet away. Another got a flat tire on his car. This has got to stop. The firefighters have intervened several times in the past for fires started by visitors to Île Dondaine,” she adds.

The Sûreté du Québec has also intervened on a number of occasions to deal with mischief committed on the site by visitors. A prostitution ring has reportedly been dismantled, and users have even adopted the site during the nights, to practice their illicit activities. Poaching activities also take place there from time to time, reports site neighbor Jean-Luc Brassard.

A question of insurance and safety

When it acquired Camp Bosco, FRAS undertook to maintain the outdoor activities offered on the site, such as trail walking. To date, however, it is unable to do so for insurance reasons.

“We can't promote, sell or advertise an activity on the trails since they have to be cleaned and assessed by our insurer before being made accessible to the public.  To do this, our insurer requires a copy of the notarized deed of right of way. We're going round in circles. Despite this situation, people continue to come to our property for a walk. Sometimes they come with unrestrained animals that jump on vulnerable citizens and people,” says Ms. Asselin.

Although access to the FRAS premises is restricted by a fence, visitors pass through the municipal park access road before parking and walking to the organization's site to commit mischief.

During the interview, she mentioned the kindness of the Ville de Salaberry-de-Valleyfield staff throughout the proceedings. In recent weeks, however, a climate of confrontation has prevailed between the organization and the mayor of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Miguel Lemieux.

On July 30, the FRAS Board of Directors decided to close the gate at the site entrance. FRAS installed the barrier at its own expense. The decision was prompted by the organization's desire to get things moving, and to provoke action from the municipal administration. Most importantly, the decision was communicated to FRAS's partners: CISSSMO, and the cities of Coteau-du-Lac and Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.

Following a meeting held on Thursday August 15 with city representatives, a temporary decision was taken.

“For the next three weeks, a removable barrier has been installed in front of the road leading to our premises, and a security guard has been posted on site from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to direct visitors to the Île-des-Patriotes park. In the evening, after 8pm, the gate at the entrance to Île Dondaine is closed. During this time, talks are scheduled with the city to try and find a permanent solution. We really hope that the situation will be resolved once and for all, as the safety of site users, our employees and visitors is at stake,” concludes Ms. Asselin.