Approximately 30 people were in attendance for the Patro’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, August 26. During the meeting, the organization presented it’s annual Activity and Financial report, in which the impacts of the 2019 floods were notably highlighted.

According to Gélineault Dionne, the president of the board of Directors, even though the organization saw major damages to its buildings they was able to receive a 75% return on its insurance, which allowed for the repairs of site. Though most of the repairs to the buildings at the Patro in Fort-Coulonge have been completed, work will continue through the fall of 2020.

''We are ensured for 10 million in case a kid gets hurt and we are insured for 1 million for our buildings, we didn't get a million, but we got something close to $650,000'' said Gélineault Dionne.

The Patro's Ladoucer Pavillion after finishing repair the damage from the Major floods in 2019

As for the new director general of the Patro, who recently took over for Frère Marc Frappier, Suzanne Dazé commented on the state of the Patro, which faced the major floods in 2019 and now the COVID-19 Pandemic. She added that despite the struggles of the previous year, the Patro intends to recover its deficit by reaching out more to the community.

''It was a challenge taking over the position, I started with floods and then with the Pandemic adding on after, it was certainly a challenge, but I have a vision for beautifying and reaching out to more people, but I am really happy to have a good team behind me,'' said Dazé. ''I am positive that it will be a better year.''

For 2019, the Patro was forced to cancel major portions of its revenue stream, operating at limited capacity for its day camp and tourism attractions as reported in the 2019-20 annual financial report, running a deficit for 2020 of $76,543.

The Ladouceur Pavilion at the Patro two month after the major floods in 2019