Sainte-Cécile-de-Milton is preparing for a series of major projects that will transform the life of the community. From scenic hiking trails to new recreational facilities, the community is growing to meet the needs of its residents and create an even brighter future. Discover the details of these forthcoming projects that will highlight the charm of this Haute-Yamaska region.
Cycle connection between -Sainte-Cécile–de-Milton and -Granby
One of the most ambitious projects is the creation of a bicycle connection between Granby and Sainte-Cécile. After years of effort, the community was able to obtain a feasibility agreement with the City of Granby. This cycle connection connects the two places and thus offers a healthy and ecological alternative for daily transport. “It’s a project that comes up a lot in our public consultations, it’s a request from citizens, particularly as there are a lot of people working from here in Granby. In addition, it is about the whole aspect of active mobility, healthy living habits, reduction of greenhouse gases, etc. It is also part of the desire to make the tourist treasures of Sainte-Cécile accessible,” said the mayor of the municipality, Paul Sarrazin.
The route of this cycle path is intended to start from the community center and run along rue Touchette up to the 1st row, then continue via the Chemin Dale and the 11th row before connecting to the path on rue Saint-Hubert in Granby. With a length of around 20 kilometers round trip, this route promises to become an essential route for cyclists in the region.
The project, estimated to cost approximately $8 million, is already benefiting from guaranteed $4 million in financial support from the federal government. The municipality is also preparing to present the route to concerned citizens and approach the provincial government.
A new urban garage
Another major project is the construction of a new municipal garage. The current building, which is around 40 years old, no longer meets the growing needs of the community. The new structure, measuring an imposing 120 feet long and 50 feet wide, will allow the community to maintain their machinery and equipment while preparing for snow removal.
The cost of this project is estimated at 1.8 to 2 million dollars. The construction site is scheduled to start next year, marking an important step in the modernization of the infrastructure.
A new ice rink with a roof
Ice skating enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the community is planning to renovate its rink. Improvements include redesigning the skating surface and replacing stripes. The big news will be a roof over the rink, paving the way for a variety of activities throughout the year, particularly day camps and shows.
The ice rink is also made available to citizens for community events. This project is planned for 2025.
Milton Trails
Finally, the municipality of Sainte-Cécile-de-Milton has launched a project called “Sentiers Milton”. This initiative aims to promote active transportation among residents by establishing neighborhood routes.
The story of Les Sentiers Milton began when elected officials decided to join the Active Neighborhoods initiative to encourage active mobility. In addition, there is a “bicycle signature”, the installation of bicycle racks, the exterior design of the community center and the preparation of future projects to connect the residential areas, in particular by widening the platforms for cyclists.
With this in mind, Mr. Sarrazin’s team reached out to the members of the Fabrique de la Paroisse catholique Sainte-Cécile, urging them to give up right of way over part of their land to allow the population access to the forested area behind the Fabrique, which also leads through the Gosselin family lands. “We saw this beautiful area with beautiful centuries-old trees and really wondered how something could be built here. This gave rise to the idea of the Milton Trails (…). “We want to make this forest area accessible so that the population can discover the hidden treasures of Sainte-Cécile,” said the mayor.