Thanks to funding from the Caisse de Depot, the Train de L'Ouest project is now slated to be completed by 2020. But the plan for a new railway for West Island commuters already has its first casualty -- the Dorval Municipal Golf Course.
“There's been no preparation. The hammer came down -- you're out. It's the bullies taking over and we don't have a chance,” said Bruce Orr, the golf course’s vice-president.
The golf club sits on land leased from Aeroports de Montreal (ADM), the regional airport authority.
The ADM says it needs the land for a new distribution hub, to accommodate Trudeau Airport’s expansion, and for new rails for the Train de L'Ouest.
It says their plans shouldn't come as a surprise, since there was a consultation with the city on those plans in 2013.
But Glenn Barrette, the club’s manager, says he didn't see it coming.
He's been working there for 25 years and he's one of 12 people who will lose his job once the golf club closes.
“I was in shock. It was like all of a sudden. I mean we knew the lease was over in 2015, but we thought it would just be renewed, like it's always been,” he said.
Residents living near the golf course are also concerned about the impact of the Train de l'Ouest on their neighbourhood and quality of life.
‘I'm very surprised. I don't think it's right. I don't think they should change anything around here,” said resident Laurie McLeod.
The club opened in 1960 as an 18-hole course. It was diminished to nine holes due to airport expansions.
“There are roughly 400 members and they want to keep what's left of their greenspace. It's about more than just golf,” Orr said.
“It's a meeting place for young and old. There's so many people that I've gotten to meet -- not only from Dorval, but the entire West Island community,” he said.
The golf club's executive committee will have an emergency meeting next week to see what they can do to try to save their golf course.
