It appears that the former École Christ-Roi property in Hawkesbury could remain vacant awhile longer.
In May 2020, the town signed a conditional agreement of purchase and sale with 9414-9812 Québec Inc. which was hoping to build a large retirement and assisted-living complex at the site. One of the conditions of the transaction was that the purchaser had to promise to develop the property. However, the developer has been refused financing for the project through the National Bank of Canada. The developer also could not meet one of the conditions the town had placed in the agreement by the July 14 deadline and was denied an extension by the town.
According to Mayor Paula Assaly, the agreement is now null and void and is being reviewed to ensure the town’s legal interests are protected, but the agreement will be made public once that review is complete and approved by council.
The company that had tried to purchase the property in May is not prevented from attempting to do so again, and nothing is stopping it from seeking financing from another source. However, a new agreement of purchase and sale would be required.
Assaly said she is not aware of any other parties interested in the Christ-Roi property at this time.
The Town of Hawkesbury took ownership of the former École Christ-Roi land after the school closed. The building was demolished in 2017. The town also spent approximately $400,000 to decontaminate the soil on the property.
