Major new park in Avalon Encore proposed to be named for legendary east-end leader

Stephen is proud to propose naming a new and noteworthy community park in Avalon Encore in honour of long time east-end leader, the Honourable Don Boudria, P.C.

“From his time on Cumberland Town Council, Queen’s Park, Parliament Hill and in Cabinet, Mr. Boudria has been a tireless champion for our community,” says Councillor Blais. “The Don Boudria story is uniquely Canadian – from humble beginnings to lofty heights as a result of hard work, integrity and persistence.”

Minto hopes to break ground on Don Boudria Park in 2019 and will be the largest of three parks in the Avalon Encore development. The new park represents an investment of roughly $1.8 million in the community.

“Sarsfield, Cumberland Township and the east-end of Ottawa has been near and dear to my heart, which is why it was a profound honour and privilege to show up to work every day on its behalf,” says Don Boudria. “I want to commend Councillor Stephen Blais for his unwavering commitment to our community and humbly say thank you for this honour.”

The park concept is still being refined but the City intends to include the following amenities in Don Boudria Park:

• Little League Intermediate (50/70) Baseball diamond (with lighting)
• Multi-Purpose Court with permanent rink boards
• Puddle Rink
• Naturalized Area
• Fenced 1-acre Dog Park
• Play structures (Junior, Senior and swings)
• Community Gathering area
• Games tables
• Hexagonal shade structure
• Pathway loop
• Open Space
• Parking

Since taking office in 2011, Councillor Blais has made park development a priority with the fast tracking of a dozen new parks, construction and expansion of new recreational facilities and the development of a comprehensive pathway network through Avalon.

A Public Meeting on the park concept is being planned for May.

The Honourable Don Boudria, P.C.

The Honourable Don Boudria was born in Hull, Quebec in 1949. Not long after, the family returned to Sarsfield where Don still resides to this day. A proud resident of the former Township of Cumberland, Don Boudria served his community as Councillor (1976-1981), Member of the Provincial Parliament for Prescott-Russell (1981-1984) and Member of Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell (1984-2006).

During his storied parliamentary career, he was Minister for International Cooperation, Minister responsible for La Francophonie, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Receiver General for Canada as well as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. He also served as Chief Government Whip. In total, he was elected ten consecutive times, and at all three levels of Government.

He and his wife Mary Ann have two children, Daniel and Julie, and 5 grandchildren. He served as a member of the Cumberland Township recreational committee and was founding vice-president of the Sarsfield Optimist Club, founding member of the Sarsfield Knights of Columbus, founding president of the Cumberland Township Non-profit Housing Corporation. He is the sponsor of the annual Honourable Don Boudria scholarship for studying Canadian history at the University of Ottawa.