A gathering place in Plantagenet is now known as the Serge R. Lalonde Community Hall.
On Sunday, May 5, the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet unveiled the new name of the Plantagenet Community Hall after Serge R. Lalonde, a community icon who has given so much of his time and energy to the community of Plantagenet and the Township.
“People like Mr. Lalonde are rare gems. It goes without saying that such a lifelong achievement should be recognized with an equally grand gesture,” Alfred and Plantagenet Mayor Yves Laviolette said.
A petition bearing over 400 signatures from community members was submitted to the township council in November 2023 by Alain Lapensée and council adopted a resolution to rename the hall.
Lalonde was the founder of Imprimerie Serge Printing and Bingo. In addition to having been a pioneer as a printing service provider in the township for more than 36 years, Lalonde also distinguished himself through his volunteer work. As a founding member and multi-term president of the Plantagenet Lions Club, he organized numerous New Year’s Eve parties, spaghetti suppers and loaned equipment to people with mobility issues for almost 30 years.
Lalonde was a founding member of the Plantagenet Knights of Columbus, an election volunteer and president of the Plantagenet Centennial in 1977. That year, he organized the largest Saint-Jean-Baptiste parade between Ottawa and Montréal.
He also completed five terms as Township councillor, 42 years as a Plantagenet volunteer firefighter, and 20 years as a school trustee.
Serge R. Lalonde is now in his 90th year.
