The forestry activity revival project at the Davidson site: “Only two millions missing” – Bruno St-Cyr
The forestry activity revival project at the Davidson site: “Only two millions missing” – Bruno St-Cyr
CHIP 101.9 received an invitation from Davidson sawmill owner Bruno Saint-Cyr to meet him on Monday where he wanted to “set the record straight” and to talk about his project to create a cogeneration plant, which aims to revive the activities at the Davidson sawmill. The site has been shut down for several years now.
« Avec la pâte, on pourra faire fonctionner la centrale et surtout, on pourra relancer les activités de la scierie » — “With pulp, we will be able to operate the plant and, above all, we will be able to restart the activities of the sawmill,” explained Bruno St-Cyr.
Some people have criticized him for giving little information on the progress of the project and not delivering results. Bruno St-Cyr maintains that he had to work this way to make sure his project progresses.
During the meeting, Bruno St-Cyr gave CHIP 101.9 access to certain business documents, such as agreements with certain financial partners. He also showed a contract with Hydro-Québec to the CHIP 101.9 journalists, to show the sale of electricity that would be made following the construction of a cogeneration plant.
Some of the contracts with his business partners are about to end, but St-Cyr believes that he can extend the start date. “Our deadline is this Thursday, January 31st, but we know that we can extend the limit. […] To meet our commitments, we need 2 millions”, he said.
Equipment out of service?
Bruno St-Cyr said he wanted to try to give a real portrait of the situation of the revival project at the Davidson sawmill. He says that with the exception of a few upgrades, the plant is still operational and the equipment, such as the machinery that allows the wood to dry, is functional and in good condition.
St-Cyr said that some people have spread the rumour that the facilities were no longer able to function. According to him, it is not. “There are some updates to be done, but nothing major, on the contrary, the quality of our equipment and location is a strength for us,” said Bruno St-Cyr. He says this is the closest site to its natural resource and the only one that can be operational for 12 months. “Right now, I have everything in place, except for the 2 millions,” said St-Cyr.
In summary, Bruno Saint-Cyr states that the only condition he is currently lacking to move forward in the project is a sum of $2 millions. That money would then go ahead with this project estimated at more than $60 millions. Bruno Saint-Cyr also emphasized on the undeniable quality of the resource, an aspect often forgotten when talking about the revival of the Pontiac forestry industry.
A report will be presented following this meeting.
