Old Chicoutimi Pulper Museum and Park – National Historic Site

“I particularly remember visiting the old Chicoutimi Pulper, now converted into a museum, event venue, and walking park. I remember many visits throughout the year as I enjoyed walking in the park every few years when I returned to my hometown to visit family. After a renovation in 2002, the site appears to have changed little and remained abandoned for many years. In addition to the building that houses the museum, another building located on the river was converted into an event venue. The park at the back contains other buildings from the ruins of the pulping plant, from which hazardous debris has been cleared, allowing pedestrians to enter and explore open walls of old industrial stone.

I certainly tend to view this site as an example of quality, since it was a cherished place from my childhood, but the fact that it excites me so much may not be a risk. Efforts to revitalize the derelict site were minimal but did give the place a new dimension. The museum tells us the history of the city and the pulp mill itself. The venue is host for school dances and music festivals. The hiking park is frequented often by dog owners and families. The history of the ruins combined with the beautiful scenery of the landscape creates a magical, negotiated balance between the past and the present.

To me, this website evokes quality because it provides peace. The place is quiet and rarely crowded except for events. Even when hosting an event, the location provides the opportunity to rest and relax away from the crowds. The sound of the waterfall provides a sound of permanent calm. In addition to this tranquility, this place offers learning opportunities and free walks. The walk through the ruins is safe, but hikers are willing to take a small risk and explore the industrial ruins slightly off the main trail. The level of danger posed by the controlled planning and exploration of this place is a feeling I can’t forget, and to me, it’s a sign of quality. The revival of abandoned and dangerous facilities is a means of transportation, part of nature, part of the design that allows people to experiment off the main roads, combined with learning opportunities through the museum and also as paths with small panels explaining What we discover along the way.” (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2024, p.73).

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