New Quebec City farmers market aims to be 'most beautiful in North America'

Quebec City has a new arena, and soon it will have a brand new farmers market beside it. The announcement was made this week by Mayor Rgis Labeaume and the current organization that runs le March du Vieux Port thefarmersmarket at the Old Port.

The Pavillion ducommercebuildingwill be renovated and expanded to allow the farmers market to move in by the spring of 2018. It will include 20 permanent kiosks, about 100 stalls for seasonal food growers and 30 boutique spaces offering various products including prepared food. The design includesterraces and play centres for children outside the building.

"It will be a hit,"Labeaumesaid. He alsonotedthat natural light has to be a key feature of the new market.The architectural plans include a glass roof. The working title of the new market is "le GrandMarch."

ArthurCauchon, president of theCooprative des horticulteurs de Qubec, the organization that oversees the March du Vieux Port,said the new facility will rivalthe best markets on the continent.

"We're aiming to be the most beautiful market in North America," Cauchon said.

The price tagis estimated to be between$20 millionand$23 million, but the contract has not yetbeen awarded.

Some merchants upset with move

Daniel Tremblay, general manager of the market, saidthey hope the new location in the Limoilouneighbourhoodwill attract more people from the suburbs.He saidthe extra parking space is another bonus for customers and merchants.

"The big majority of our producers are with us, and they're surely going to move to the newplace,"Tremblaysaid.

But he notedthatthemoveto Limoilou,away from the tourist track downtown and Old Quebec, ishard for some people toaccept.

Marcel Bergeron,a maple syrup vendor at the market, isn't on board with the move.

"I find it idiotic because in every country in the world the market is in the downtown," he said.

Jean Rousseau, head of a citizens group in Old Quebec and alsohead of a coalition pushing to keep the market in the Old Port open,said the current location is great for tourists, people who take the ferry from Lvisand those living in Old Quebec.

"The farmers market is one of the attractions that tourists adore, so we believe there is room for a market here."

Tremblay said the city may consider keeping a smallersatellite market space in Old Quebec. He said the city isalso thinkingof ways to help tourists get to the new market, because he believes visitors will want to make it part of their plans.