The Sainte-Martine convent has undergone changes since the departure of the SNJM’s. The exterior walls have been kept so as to remain faithful to the municipality’s cultural heritage.
The work began in April and already (by September) 11 of the 21 units have been rented at prices ranging from 650$ to 850$ a month.
The Ste-Martine Convent has become "Résidences Laberge"
De gauche à droite : Gilles Bigras, attaché de presse du député Stéphane Billette, Léo Myre, ancien maire de la Municipalité de Sainte-Martine, Claudette Laberge, mère de Patrick Lapointe, François Candau, maire actuel de Sainte-Martine, et Patrick Lapointe, président de la compagnie Desautels Immobilier.
Vue sur le clocher voisin
La Vierge est toujours là
The building has been renamed “Résidences Laberge” in honour of Claudette Laberge, the mother of Patrick Lapointe, president of Désautels Immobilier, the investor for the renovation work.
Mrs. Laberge has always been a citizen of Sainte-Martine and now lives in the former convent which is intended for retired and semi-retired people. A common room will be added so that the building can be fully complete.
(Information taken from Le Soleil newspaper, September 24, 2012)
Someone who recently visited the Résidence noted that a new resident, originally from Chateauguay, expressed his joy at living in tranquility and in the beauty of nature. Quite a change for him...
The visitor herself recognized the elevator and the staircase!