Montreal in 19 neighbourhoods: A series 9 MERCIER EAST

WHERE BLUE COLLAR, WHITE COLLAR AND GREEN SPACES MEET:

In 1870, Hochelaga started as a small village that housed no more than 1,000 people. The Hudon cotton factory opened in 1874, followed by the expansion of the Canadian Northern Railway (later known as the Canadian Pacific Railway). These developments encouraged both industrial and urban development. Some factories started closing and moving east to an area referred to as Tétreaultville by many locals. These days, new housing projects (mainly condominiums), parks, community gardens, public spaces and a wide variety of restaurants, cafés and boutiques are helping to revitalize the areas in transition.

1. Maison de la culture Mercier

Often referred to as the “small Place des Arts of Montreal,” the Maison de la culture Mercier was inaugurated in 1989, much to the delight of the area’s residents. In addition to a varied program of arts and culture aimed at all ages, the building also houses the well-stocked neighbourhood library.

2. Centre Tétreaultville

The Centre Tétreaultville is aimed at anyone who is 16 or older and wants to complete their high school education, and prepare for CÉGEP or professional training. It makes it possible for people from all walks of life, including single parents, to get the education they need. The centre is surrounded by a peaceful green space and has a gym, library, computer lab and student lounge.

3. La Belle Province

Famous for its hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries and poutine, the popular fast-food franchise first opened in the late ‘60s in downtown Montreal. When that restaurant subsequently burned down, one of its employees, Peter Kivetos, took the reigns shortly after and reopened a branch in Mercier, on Sherbrooke St. E.

4. Jardin Communautaire BP Tétreaultville

There are many community gardens in the city, and quite a few of them are in Mercier—HochelagaMaisonneuve. Free of charge for residents, the city provides the soil, a watering station, cabana or tool box, tables, fencing, sand and paint so that residents can grow their own fruits and vegetables, and foster a sense of community in the process. The BP Tétreaultville garden has 60 lots.

5. Hochelaga St.

The name Hochelaga comes from a First Nations village made up of St. Lawrence Iroquoians, first encountered by Jacques Cartier in 1535. The village, which was located downtown, west of the current Mercier—Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, vanished sometime between Cartier’s visit and Samuel de Champlain’s. These days, Hochelaga is home to an interesting mix of new condominium projects, traditional apartments with their distinctive spiral staircases, restaurants, cafés, bars, and more.

6. Collège Mont-Royal

A private French-language co-ed high school, Collège Mont-Royal offers education with a human approach, specifically tailored to suit the needs of its individual students. Founded in 1947 as one of the first private secular colleges in the province (then known as l’Institut Alie), it now offers specialized arts, swimming, figure skating and enriched programs of study.

7. Promenade Bellerive Park

A 54-acre urban park with a beautiful shoreline, Promenade Bellerive Park includes sports and recreational facilities. A little further east is ClémentJetté Park, which has a recently renovated arena and the Annie-Pelletier indoor pool.