Former Doréa Institute buildings to be demolished

The various buildings that made up the former Doréa Institute in the municipality of Franklin have almost all been demolished. "The demolition is essentially complete," François Gagnon, Director General for Franklin, told the Journal Saint-François-The Gleaner. "There's only one building left and it should be demolished very soon." Gagnon recalled that the municipal council adopted a resolution in September 2016 giving Les Immeubles Dandurand Inc., the owner at the time, a year to complete demolition of the various buildings for reasons of safety. On numerous occasions, the site has been a curiosity for thrill seekers and even ghost hunters. Two fires happened to break out in former buildings on the site in July 2017 and October 2017. Since then, the property has been sold to new developers according to the Director General for Franklin. Projects for development are being studied but Gagnon indicated that part of the property is zoned agricultural which could require an application for rezoning to the Commission de protection du territoire agricole (CPTAQ). The Doréa Insitute was originally established during the 50s through the efforts of two priests, Albini Girouard and Roger Roy to provide a home for children who have since been dubbed "Duplessis Orphans". During the 80s, the site became a home for adults living with an intellectual disability under the administration of the Services de Réadaptation du Sud-Ouest (SRSO). The site was officially closed in 1995 when it was left derelict and became prey to every kind of trespasser. (Translated by Cathleen Johnston)