National Assembly Medals awarded to Laval's Le Sablon board veterans

Two executive board members of Centre du Sablon – who were key players during the Chomedey-based sports and recreation centre’s greatest years of progress – last week were awarded one of the highest honors the Quebec government bequeaths on its most worthy citizens: the Quebec National Assembly Medal.

Board veterans
During a ceremony held on Sept. 12 in the centre’s previously neglected rear yard – which Sablon President Brian Tracey and Treasurer Liisa Shafer helped transform into an ecologically-landscaped parkland – the two were presented with the National Assembly Medal by Chomedey Liberal MNA Guy Ouellette. Tracey and Shafer have been active for the past 15 years as volunteers on the Sablon board.
Attending the ceremony (which took place under a large tent because of an early evening downpour) were Mayor Gilles Vaillancourt, Chomedey councillor and vice-president of the Laval executive committee Basile Angelopoulos, L’Àbord à Plouffe councillor Ginette Legault Bernier, as well as Sablon staff and many members and friends of the Tracey and Shafer families.
A good number of employees and regional managers from the TD Bank were also on hand, cheering enthusiastically for Tracey, who works for TD. As a partner in Centre du Sablon’s success, TD, according to a Sablon senior manager, sent observers to report on what it believes is a good example of an innovative, cooperative community project made possible with TD Bank’s assistance.

Premier’s greetings
Before presenting the heavy, gold-colored medallions to Tracey and Shafer, Ouellette said he would be making formal declarations about the presentation on Sept. 27 and 29 in the National Assembly. At the same time, he read from letters sent by Premier Jean Charest, wishing both Shafer and Tracey all the best and acknowledging the excellent work they’ve done for the centre.
“The commitment that Liisa Shafer and Brian Tracey have shown has allowed Centre du Sablon to fulfill its mission, while helping citizens to actively take part in the development of the Laval community,” Vaillancourt said in an address.
Recalling Sablon’s beginnings – from 1965 to the early 1990s it was the Chomedey branch of the YM-YWHA – the mayor pointed out how Centre du Sablon first got its start when the facility itself was ceded to Laval. The city in turn decided to try out an idea which was relatively novel at the time – placing Sablon’s management in the hands of a community corporation which would operate at arm’s length. Since then, Sablon has prospered.

Trust paid off
“I remember one day Brian came to see me and said, ‘Mr. Mayor, put your trust in us and you will never regret it,’ and of course we have never regretted it,” he mayor said. “Of course, he comes to see us regularly to obtain new credits, but each time it’s for projects whose aim is to improve things at the centre, better adapted to people’s needs, and thus to make it better.
“And each time he arrives, he says, ‘I’m asking for money, but I also bring it in,’” Vaillancourt added. “I would say that Brian and Liisa are exceptional people. Every time I come here it’s to help open a new service or to see what new improvements and renovations have been made. This is a facility that is very important here in the middle of this district.”



‘The best’: Angelopoulos
Angelopoulos said, “I’ve been truly, truly privileged to have colleagues such as Brian and Liisa charting the course of the Centre du Sablon, one of the city’s most unique community centres. Thanks to their tireless work, thanks to their total devotion to the cause, Centre du Sablon has become, like I said, one of, if not the best.
“I truly believe that it’s the best, but you’ll probably think that I’m a little biased,” he continued. “But it is an extraordinary centre that has come a long way, and it’s done so because of the perseverance, because of the talent, because of who Brian and Liisa are in giving so much of their time, and so much of their energy.”