Verdun beach finds a new home behind Verdun Auditorium

After much back-and-forth on the issue of the placement of Verdun's new beach, a final destination has been found: The St. Lawrence River's shore behind the Verdun Auditorium.

The new location was announced on Monday.

Borough mayor Jean-Franois Parenteau drew criticism for initially preferring the site behind the Natatorium.Many believed a beach at that location would endanger wildlife in the area.

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In August,environmental scientist ChristopherAmyotsaid a beach at that site could cancel out many of the benefits of the area's ecosystem and destroy the habitat for a number of animals including ducks, herons and brown snakes.

He also said theborough's practice last winter of using the area asa massive snow dumping grounddoesn't help strengthen the case forlocating the beach there.

The Verdun beach is one of many projects slated for completion in2017, in time for Montreal's375thanniversary.