Closure at LaSalle ecocentre

Citing a situation that is “beyond its control,” the City of Montreal announced Friday it is temporarily closing the LaSalle ecocentre for an “indefinite” period of time.

The city said the decision comes as a result of operational difficulties experienced by supplier Matrec, which is struggling with a shortage of drivers. The city turned to Matrec after its original contractor Mélimax was barred from working for the government for five years after allegations of waste dumping. The insurance company that provided a performance bond to Mélimax initially chose Conteneurs Rouville, a firm belonging to the wife of Mélimax’s owner, to carry on with the contract before switching to Matrec.

The LaSalle facility is one of seven municipal ecocentres on Montreal Island where the public can leave large recyclable items, construction debris and dangerous household products.

The LaSalle centre is the second of Montreal’s ecocentres to be temporarily shut in the past two weeks just as renovation season and spring cleanup begins. Just over a week ago, the city announced it was temporarily closing the St-Laurent ecocentre.

The city then reduced operating hours at the LaSalle centre before Friday’s decision to temporarily close the facility.

The city is encouraging residents to bring their large recyclable items and renovation debris to the five remaining ecocentres. However, the city also announced it is reducing the operating hours at those centres. They will be open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“The city of Montreal is making every effort possible to reduce the impact on services offered to citizens,” the city said in a statement.