City's oldest stable torn down in Griffintown

The 155-year-oldGriffintown Horse Palace, known as the oldest stable in the city,was torn down this week.

After years of decline, the stable's structure was determined to be too dangerous to useand temporary stables were built to house the horses still using the facility.

• After years of uncertainty, Montreal's oldest stable to come down this week

The stable, built in 1862,is sandwiched between condo developments on the corner of Ottawa Street and De La Montagne Street close to the Lachine canal.

A local foundation that's been lobbying to save the building for years is hoping to see it rebuilt on the same site later this fall.

The Horse Palace Foundation came up with a plan to rebuild and turn the new stable into a heritage and cultural site.

Members submitted a proposalto the city last year, along with a pledge to contribute $150,000 to the project, saidthe group's vice-presidentRobertGirard.

"We've tried to save the building and it was not possible. It's way too old ... it could crumble anytime," saidGirard, adding the foundation will try to keep the property's"spirit"with the same amount of space and trees.

They hopeto save as much of the original material as possible, like bricks and beams, to be used in the rebuild.

A spokesperson for theCity of Montreal said the cityhas not yet decided whether it will help cover the total $450,000 price tag.