If you take the time to read the history of the North Hatley Recreational Society (NHRS), you will discover the fascinating story behind the Pleasant View Beach building.

In summary, the beach facilities located at 2070 Lake Road (chemin du Lac) originally belonged to the Pleasant View Hotel. The building was used as a dance hall, with a bar in the basement. Originally located near Manoir Hovey, it served as a golf clubhouse. In the 1960s, it was moved across the frozen lake during the winter to its present location on Lake Road.

The property changed hands several times during the 1960s. On July 14, 1967, Douglas H. Bradley purchased it from Massawippi Enterprises Inc. for $5,000 and subsequently donated it to the Municipality of North Hatley.

Deed of Sale for the Pleasant View Beach Building — 1967

BETWEEN:

IVAN W. JAMIESON, of the Town of Lennoxville, and ROBERT STAFFORD, of Austin, both in the Province of Quebec, hereinafter referred to as the “SELLERS”;

AND:

THE CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH HATLEY, represented by its Mayor, Charles L. Coleman, and its Secretary-Treasurer, B. V. Hopps, duly authorized by a resolution of the Municipal Council adopted at a meeting held on May 1, 1967, hereinafter referred to as the “PURCHASER.”

Sale of the Property

For the consideration described below, the Sellers sold, transferred and conveyed to the Purchaser, who accepted, the following property:

A boathouse and recreational building, situated on North Hatley Beach, on leased land located between the public road and Lake Massawippi.

Right of Way

The Sellers reserved a right of way between Main Street and the lakeshore, shared with other parties having similar rights, along a 40-foot-wide roadway connecting Main Road to Lake Massawippi.

Lease with the Quebec Central Railway

The Sellers also transferred to the Purchaser all rights they may have held under a lease with the Quebec Central Railway Company, in favour of Robert Harvey Lothrop, dated July 13, 1965, concerning a bathing beach and parking area.

The property covered by this sale is situated on that beach.

The Sellers also transferred all their rights under an agreement between Robert Harvey Lothrop and the Quebec Central Railway Company, also dated July 13, 1965, concerning a water pipe.

The Purchaser was granted the right to renew both the lease and the agreement with the Quebec Central Railway Company.

Docks and Equipment

The sale also included the docks and accessory equipment associated with the boathouse and recreational building.

The property was sold with legal warranty, free from mortgages, taxes and other charges, except those expressly mentioned in the deed. The Purchaser accepted the property in its existing condition.

Purchase Price: $5,000

The consideration for the sale was five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Of this amount:

$500 was paid at or before the signing of the deed;
the remaining $4,500 was to be paid in nine consecutive annual installments of $500 each;
the first installment was due one year after the signing of the deed;
subsequent installments were due on the same date each year.

The Purchaser could repay all or part of the balance in advance.

No interest was payable on the balance unless a payment was in default. In that case, interest would accrue at 6% per year.

The property remained mortgaged in favour of Douglas H. Bradley until the balance was paid in full.

Conditions Imposed on the Municipality

The deed contains several important conditions governing the use of the property.

1. The property must remain dedicated to recreational purposes

The property hereby sold shall be used solely for swimming, boating activities and recreation generally, particularly for the benefit of the young people of the Village of North Hatley.

In other words, the deed does not simply transfer the property to the Municipality as an ordinary municipal asset. It expressly assigns the property a recreational purpose, with particular emphasis on the youth of North Hatley.

2. Supervision, Lifeguards and Swimming Lessons

During the swimming season and during normal daylight hours, the Purchaser must provide:

adequate supervision;
lifeguards;
swimming instructors.

The property must remain under the control of the Purchaser, namely the Municipality.

3. No Alcohol

No alcoholic beverages shall be sold or consumed on the premises covered by this sale.

4. Restrictions on Disposition of the Property

The property could not be:

sold;
mortgaged;
leased;
given away;
or otherwise transferred by the Purchaser,

without the prior written consent of Douglas H. Bradley or his heirs or executors.

In my opinion, what this document essentially establishes

This document provides an important addition to the historical record: the beach property was not simply acquired by the Municipality for $5,000 in 1967.

The deed appears to impose specific conditions on the Municipality, including that the property be used solely for swimming, boating and recreational purposes, particularly for the benefit of North Hatley’s youth; that lifeguards and supervision be provided during the swimming season; that alcohol not be sold or consumed on the premises; and that the property could not be sold, leased, mortgaged, donated or otherwise transferred without the required written consent.

These clauses could be particularly important in understanding the current legal status of Pleasant View Beach. However, determining whether these conditions remain legally enforceable today would require reviewing the complete registered deed, the chain of title and the applicable Quebec law concerning restrictions and charges of this nature.

So why not prioritize renovating this legendary building, rich in history and memories, rather than considering its demolition?

The deed specifically restricts the sale, lease, mortgage, donation or other transfer of the property without the required written consent.

Unfortunately, it appears that demolishing the building may not be prohibited. But that does not mean it is the right thing to do.

A building that has been part of North Hatley’s history for generations deserves, at the very least, serious consideration for preservation and restoration before demolition is contemplated.

Not to mention that demolishing this building would generate more than 100 tonnes of waste that would have to be transported to a landfill, resulting in significant costs and environmental impacts. And ultimately, much of the bill would be borne by taxpayers (+ 3 millions $), including through grants funded by public money.

With that in mind, something to think about.

Terms and Conditions of Sale of the Pleasant View Beach Building to the Municipality of North Hatley in 1967