This craze some dream of a real urban camping in Montreal.
"I like to go camping, because I do not like to sleep at home is boring," says Ilyes, 6 years. His family took the opportunity to go camping for the first time.
On the site, there is little space between tents, cars stop outside but nothing to discourage campers. Nathalie, who brought his two daughters love the decor. "The Lachine Canal, already it's beautiful. And contrast with the workshops behind that are very urban, it is beautiful! "If she exclaims.
But it is especially the proximity that appeals to many. Many campers have come by public transport, like Hassan and his family.
"I think if this place had turned into a real campsite, there would be a queue for that," said the father. That we did not need to leave the island for camping, with access to the river would be perfect! "
It is not the only one to dream. Urban camping promoter Vincent Léger multiplies steps since 2011 that Montreal has its campsite, like Brooklyn or Berlin. For him, the Old Port, facing the river, would be the ideal site.
"Montreal is a city with good water quality, a good air quality, he says. There is no reason why we should not be able to make a design that would not cost a fortune, and that could bring new revenues, create jobs. This is not rocket science. "
He must meet the City on Monday to talk about his new project, which includes floating swimming pools on the river for swimming.
Sites studied by the City
According to the mayor of the borough of Sud-Ouest, Benoit Dorais, the idea of an urban site is interesting and sites are under consideration, including in the borough of Ville-Marie, where the Old located Port, and the Southwest. "Our district is very supportive of that. The mayor of Montreal seen in a very favorable too, provided that it is well supported. There is much work that remains, but we are optimistic, "he said.
The city would like to take its 375th anniversary in 2017, to develop it sustainably, says Mr. Dorais.
The city sees it rather as a tourist potential. "This is to attract customers who currently do not travel to Montreal, fetch this tourist niche that exists everywhere in large cities, as in Europe. There are also people from across Quebec that could stop there and will spend in shops around, "he pleads.
However, there was a major challenge: currently, the grounds of the Old Port are managed by the federal government, through the Canada Lands Company. Mayor Denis Coderre has repeatedly indicated a desire to resume the management of these assets, but the case is far from settled.
The canal is itself a Parks Canada site, which prefers to hold off activities of urban camping rather than developing infrastructure.
