Applebaum inaugurates new stage in CDN's Jean-Brillant Park

By P.A. Sévigny , August 15th, 2012

During last Friday's brief ceremony in the CDN/NDG borough's Jean Brillant Park, Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum humourously promised his audience they could come see him dance on the borough's new stage during the inaugural concert scheduled for later that evening. Visibly pleased with the borough's initiative, the mayor was also generous with his praise for the local business community who managed to convince borough officials about the need for the borough's recent investment. Aside from the ongoing need to improve the borough's cultural infrastructure along with its common areas that may suit the needs of the local communities, Applebaum said the borough's investment in such sports and culture facilities helps to promote the kind of social interaction that brings people together and contributes to the development of peaceful and appealing neighborhoods.      
 Like all of the inner-city parks of its period, Jean Brillant Park was originally meant to be a green oasis where local residents could find a bit of well-appreciated rest and relaxation amid the unrelenting noise and movement. Following last Friday's inauguration ceremony, the borough's new stage will probably redefine the park as a convenient outdoor venue which will be available for a number of local activities designed to build a spirit of both community and social solidarity. Designed by city architect Dan Hanganu, the venue's aggressive post-modern design is all about form and function that says nothing less than J'y suis, j'y rest in a setting that's going to be there for a long time. Along with its angled tin rook along with its simple ceiling structure that can handle both sound and light equipment, the  generous electrical system (75 Amps) can also provide all the infrastructure most working bands need to put on a good show. While the sheltered configuration can handle up to 70 people, the outdoor configuration can handle up to a couple of hundred people who can bring their lawn chairs if they want to listen to the music on soft summer nights. As the entire structure cost the borough less than a million dollars ($900,000 to be exact), borough officials believe it will be paying social and cultural dividends for a long time to come.n