ST-LAZARE RECOGNIZES CYCLO-TOUR FOUNDER
Bédard Park plaque for Michel Gauthier fitting, mayor says
For almost a quarter century, StLazare’s Cyclo-Tour has been the town’s unofficial kickoff to a season of active summer fun, with participants cycling or running a marked route through town. But although the popular event has become well known, the name of its founder isn’t.
Now, with the unveiling of a new commemorative plaque at Bédard Park on Sunday and a change to the official name of the event to the Cyclo-Tour + Michel Gauthier, the town of St-Lazare hopes to ensure his legacy won’t be forgotten. In addition to founding the Cyclo-Tour, Gauthier was recognized for over a decade of service as an active volunteer in the community.
Gauthier, who died three years ago, dreamed of creating a family friendly sports event that would rally the community and bring people together. His idea became the Cyclo-Tour, now held every year on the first Sunday in June. The event is open to cyclists and joggers of all ages.
According to St-Lazare events and communications co-ordinator Rachel Gauthier-Langlois, the non-competitive activity is intended to promote healthy living by encouraging people to become more active.
“It’s a way to start the summer off right,” she said.
The event on Sunday drew about 540 participants. Cyclists could have followed a 15-km or 23-km route, while those who opted to walk, jog or run could have taken a one-km or five-km route.
Mayor Robert Grimaudo said that Bédard Park was a fitting location to recognize Gauthier’s contributions to the community.
“Our hope is that he stays in our hearts and our town, and that his memory is honoured here, in Bédard Park — a central location for recreational activity, and one to which Mr. Gauthier contributed tremendously,” the mayor stated.
In 2014, the municipal council decided to create a Toponymy Advisory Committee officially mandated to formalize a procedure to decide names of streets, municipal infrastructures, housing developments, celebrations and events. One of the objectives of the policy was to provide a framework to pay tribute to citizens who have made an extraordinary contribution to the town’s development, history and culture.
The plaque recognizing Gauthier is one of three in St-Lazare. The others honour Bryan Liew, who coached and mentored athletes at Westwood Junior and the Hudson/St-Lazare Running and Athletics Club, and Ivor McLeod, one of the key players in the town’s development. The town named the Westwood Junior running track after Liew and renamed Dunes Lake Parc Ivor McLeod.
More information on the toponymy policy, as well as the procedure to suggest names of local people deserving of recognition, is on the town’s website at ville.saintlazare.qc.ca/toponymie.