Quebec Lodge lives on

A steering committee “to preserve and re-imagine” Quebec Lodge, the diocese of Quebec’s camp whose sale was put on hold after an outpouring of support for its continued operation, has reported some positive developments in its work.

The committee said in a letter to supporters in September that it was successful in its short-term fundraising “so that we would have the resources to meet our part of the agreement with the diocese.” The committee has done “major clean-up work” and provided new furnishings prior to making it available for the rental season. The camp was occupied at market rent for much of the summer, providing income for the preservation project.

The committee is focusing on programs and facilities needed for the camp’s renewal. “Our goal is to offer once again an outstanding camp experience and to provide programs and facilities that a variety of outside groups will find attractive enough to contract with us to use.”

The committee is also looking at “supplementary uses” of the camp property that could generate additional revenues to support the camp and the diocese.

Citing “serious financial problems,” Quebec’s diocesan executive council voted last January to close the camp and to sell the property, which is situated on the shores of Massawippi in the Eastern Townships.

However, after an outpouring of support for the camp, it was given a reprieve and the committee was given a year to come up with a new and viable plan for the property.