Buckingham to shine at the Excelor Gala

Mélissa Gélinas

The non-profit organization (NPO) Corporation plein air de la Lièvre de Buckingham has been selected as a finalist in the Tourism Initiative category presented by Tourisme Outaouais for the 29th edition of the Excelor Gala, which will be held on November 15 at the Hilton & Casino du Lac Leamy from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“When we learned that we were finalists, we were extremely proud, because we have faced many challenges this year,” said Élodie Cyr, coordinator at Corporation plein air de la Lièvre. “This is a great recognition for all the work we have done,” she continued.

According to Buckingham City Councilor Edmond Leclerc, the Corporation is a source of pride for Buckingham.

The Excelor Gala

Presented by Enbridge Gas Québec in collaboration with the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce (GCC), the Excelor Gala is a unique event in the Outaouais region where nearly 1,000 people gather each year to promote local businesses by celebrating and honoring their success and contribution to the region's economic development.

Corporation plein air de la Lièvre

In March 2009, a group of Buckingham residents wanted to boost the range of outdoor activities available in the Basse-Lièvre region and created the Corporation plein air de la Lièvre. Recognizing the recreational and tourism potential of the Lièvre River, several financial partners, including Evolugen, Caisses Desjardins, and the City of Gatineau, quickly joined forces with the organization to launch a project whose mission is to provide access to high-quality outdoor activities in a safe environment.

Thus, in 2012, the Centre nautique de la Lièvre, located in Landing Park at 241 Buckingham Avenue, was created, offering a wide range of activities and events on the Lièvre River, including kayak, pedal boat, paddleboard, and canoe rentals, and more.

In 2019, the non-profit organization expanded its entertainment offerings by taking over operations of the Les Renards Blancs trail network, which offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on more than 25 kilometers of marked and maintained trails. It is a “self-service” site where people of all levels can enjoy these activities freely.

During the same year, the municipality of L'Ange-Gardien acquired the Champboisé regional park, a site of more than 165 acres of forest located on the banks of the Lièvre River. The Corporation then developed a partnership with the municipality to organize outdoor activities over 5 kilometers during all four seasons. “During the summer and fall, we offer yoga and walks with interpretations of the flora and fauna,” says Ms. Cyr. “For winter, we offer equipment rentals, cross-country skiing lessons, and more,” she continues. People can also visit in person. “They can show their Gatineau Access Card, which offers discounts, but it’s not mandatory,” she explains. “For water sports rentals, it’s best to book online because of high demand,” she adds. Prices vary from one activity to another, and some are offered free of charge.

For ticket reservations and more information about the Excelor Gala, contact the CCG.