2 August 2013
Quebec City, Québec
On August 2, 2013, the Prime Minister announced $8.2 million in financial support for the redevelopment of Gilmour Hill, to make it open year-round and for the construction of a multi-purpose interpretive trail providing a safe path for pedestrians and cyclists.
Gilmour Hill is an historical access path and its year-round opening will help to reduce peak-season traffic flow for Quebec City residents. The multi-purpose interpretive trail will add value for the Park and users and will help to preserve the heritage and historical character of Gilmour Hill.
Gilmour Hill is a 1.1-kilometre steeply sloped path running through National Battlefields type Park between Champlain Boulevard and Quebec's Upper typeTown. It was built in the 1910s and was not designed to be used in winter.
The Government of Canada undertook a series of studies to evaluate the feasibility of the redevelopment, its environmental impacts, and the costs of the project. Those studies were used to define the components of the project, while showcasing the historical significance of National Battlefields type Park and preserving the heritage character of Gilmour Hill.
The National Battlefields Commission (NBC) will be responsible for managing the redevelopment funds. The Gilmour Hill redevelopment project is expected to begin in Spring 2014, with the trail construction scheduled to begin in Spring 2015. The year-round opening of Gilmour Hill is scheduled for late 2014, and the trail is scheduled to open in 2015.
In addition to the Government of Canada’s financial support, the City of Québec will cover the maintenance costs of Gilmour Hill. Hill maintenance will be the subject of an agreement between the City of Québec and the NBC, which will specify the terms, conditions and obligations of the parties. This agreement must be approved by the Government of Quebec.
The National Battlefields Commission (NBC) was established in 1908 under the National Battlefields at Québec Act. The NBC administers National Battlefields type Park, which comprises the Plains of Abraham and Des Braves type Park. National Battlefields type Park is the largest urban park in Quebec and is one of the most prestigious parks in the world.
The NBC preserves this historic Canadian legacy for future generations and develops it so that the public fully benefits from these treasures and Canadians learn more about the major events in Canadian history associated with this important site
The support for opening Gilmour Hill on a year-round basis is just one of many actions undertaken by the Government of Canada to upgrade national historic sites, such as the reconstruction of Manège militaire de la Grande Allée de Québec, so as to enable Canadians and visitors from around the world to gain an understanding and appreciation of our shared Canadian history.
