Rumours of The Pioneer becoming luxury condos divide Pointe-Claire Village

The quaint stretch of shops, cafs and ice cream parlours known as Pointe-Claire Village has become the site of rumours and controversy over the possible conversion of The Pioneer restaurant-barinto luxury condos.

With a wood-panelling facade and plastic patio sets peppering its exterior, The Pioneer is considered an eyesore by some localsbut a treasure byothers.

The two sides are now in conflict over whispers that a dramatic change to the small commercial strip is imminent.

On May 24,DeakinRealty posted an artist sketch to its Facebook page advertising a new luxury condo development in the area.

It would include 15 condos, threetownhouses and four commercial storefronts.

Jay Deakin, owner of DeakinRealty, toldCBCthat his companyis excited about "the sales for the eventual project at this site," but added, "our firm had no involvement in the sale [or] purchase of The Pioneer property."

Calls to the developer,Koebra Developments, were not returned.

The City ofPointe-ClairetoldCBCthat discussions are being heldover the future of the sitebut that at this stage they remain confidential.

Michel Forest, who is with thePointe-ClaireHistorical Society, said the city hasn't received any demolition requests for The Pioneer.

Residents have already responded to therumourswith an online petition against demolishing the building.

"This decision would ruin the face of the village," the petition states.

As of Wednesday evening, it had collectedalmost 500 signatures.

Pointe-Claireresident TracyMcBeanhas been in the area for 35 years and said she's "very upset" over the idea that The Pioneer may be turned into condos.

"To me, that's a historical building, over 100 years old, right in the centre of our quaint little village," she said.

But some are happy at the idea of losing the dark resto-barin favour of more residences.

"I'm thrilled," said a former city councillor for Pointe-Claire, Rob Geller.

"To say we don't want to touch it and leave it as an eyesore would be worse than anything else,"

He said the area needs more people living in close proximity to its shops for it to thrive.

Heritage interest

Adding an extra layer of complication to the controversy is that the building is listed as being of"heritage interest."

The building was a hotel dating back to the 1880s, according to the city of Pointe-Claire website. The current building was built in 1901 after afire razed most of the village.

It became The Pioneer in 1979, then was known as Clydesbefore changingits name back to The Pioneer in 2011.

Support for keeping old building

If the rumours that the building has been sold to developers aren't true,residentPaul Parfettsaid heis prepared to buy the property to ensure it doesn't become condos.

He said he was "shocked" at the idea of it changing.

"I would do everything I can to prevent this from happening," Parfett said.

He said the owner told him the sale has not been finalized.

"I know the owner does not want it demolished," he said.