After over two years since the closure of the brewery it once housed, a historic former water treatment plant in Gatineau, Quebec, remains empty and deteriorated, lacking definite plans for its future.
Situated on rue Montcalm, this early 20th-century structure was the former location of Brasseurs du Temps, a pioneer in the craft brewing scene of the region upon its establishment in 2009.
Following the brewery’s closure in November 2023 due to economic difficulties stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the condition of the municipal heritage building has worsened significantly, necessitating a substantial investment to restore its functionality, as stated by the City of Gatineau.
The deliberations regarding the fate of the building, along with the municipality’s financial capability to address any necessary renovations, coincide with the ongoing 2026 budget discussions of the city.
Councillor Steve Moran of Hull-Wright remarked, “[It’s] not in great shape,” alluding to issues such as roof and heating problems that existed before the brewery’s departure.
The city reported that due to the building’s aging pipes, water has intermittently leaked into the basement, with leaks corresponding to the water level of the nearby Brewery Creek. Furthermore, recent damage was incurred when a pipe burst in the ceiling of the building.
Significant in Hull’s History
Erected between 1902 and 1905, the building on rue Montcalm is renowned for its architectural style from the early 20th century and its historical significance, according to a statement on city heritage.
The property was originally owned by Philemon Wright, a prominent lumber magnate, who initially established whisky distilleries and later inaugurated a brewery to cater to the needs of soldiers and laborers enlisted for constructing the Rideau Canal.
The original brewery inspired the naming of the creek adjacent to it.
Additionally, the facility was one among several initiatives developed during that era to enhance the drinking water supply in major cities in Quebec. It supplied Hull with potable water until 1971, as per the heritage statement.
“To be honest, the city doesn’t have the money right now to be able to do [the work].– Hull-Wright Councillor Steve Moran
Moran emphasized, “It’s one of the key components of Hull’s history. Our industrial heritage is embedded there. Therefore, it requires investment.”
He added, “To be honest, the city doesn’t have the financial resources at present to undertake that. We are facing constraints, we have a deficit in infrastructure … so the question remains, who will foot the bill?”
The city is considering potential “partners” who could assist in covering these expenses, contingent upon a comprehensive assessment of the building’s requirements, Moran further explained.
The Gatineau council is slated to receive a detailed presentation on the former plant, along with other unoccupied city-owned structures, at an unspecified future date, as announced by the city.