Montreal West, Quebec
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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For the former electoral district, see Montreal West (electoral district).
Montreal West is a town in southwestern Quebec, Canada on the Island of Montreal. In 2002 it, along with Côte Saint-Luc and Hampstead, was merged into a borough of the City of Montreal, though 97% of the town population voted against the merger. The population later voted to demerge and Montreal West was re-established as a town on January 1, 2006.
Also known as "MoWest", Montreal West is a small, close-knit suburban community made up primarily of single family dwellings. The town is largely composed of young families, and has a total population of 5,332 (As of 2005). The town itself takes up 1.630 square kilometres. About 85% of the population of Montreal West use English as their first language.
Montreal West is notable for having Quebec's highest rated Anglophone public high school in Royal West Academy (ranked 39th overall in 2005 by the Fraser Institute). It is also home to Elizabeth Ballantyne Elementary School and Edinburgh Elementary School.
The town is also the home of Canada's oldest amateur Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, the Montreal West Operatic Society. Clay tennis courts, a curling club, and a swimming pool and an indoor ice rink are also highlights of the town. The town administration organizes a large number of community events each year designed to attract youngsters, adults and seniors alike.
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[edit] History
[edit] List of mayors
1897 - William Smithson Lingley
1898 - Charles McClatchie
1899 - B.W. Grigg
1900 - J.J. Kirkpatrick
1901 - Walter C. Flyfe
1902 - Edward J. Bedbrook
1903 - C.C. Ballantyne
1904 - Edward J. Bedbrook
1905 - William Smithson Lingley
1906 - J.J. Kirkpatrick
1908 - Edward J. Bedbrook
1909–1910 - C.J. Davies
1911–1927 - James Ballantyne
1927–1935 - Harry Aird
1935–1943 - James R. Pearson
1943–1948 - Robert Hope Ross
1948–1954 - George W. Hodgson
1954–1963 - Forest Norman Wiggins
1963–1965 - Everett Charles Fitzpatrick
1965–1973 - Robert Arthur McQueen
1973–1977 - Alistair Reekie
1977–1989 - Roy D. Locke
1989–2002 - John A. Simms
2002–2006 - None*
2006–present - Campbell Stuart
- In 2002, Montreal West merged with Cote St. Luc and Hampstead to become the borough of Côte-Saint-Luc–Hampstead–Montreal West.
- In 2006, The borough of Côte-Saint-Luc–Hampstead–Montreal West demerged and was re-established as Montreal West.
[edit] Important yearly events
[edit] Canada Day
Canada Day is the largest community event of the year in Montreal West. Residents organize a parade route that mainly runs down the main street of Westminster and ends at Strathern Park. Floats represented in the parade include organizations and clubs located in town, as well as some created personally by residents.
In some years, there have been water fights between sidelined residents and members of the parade (mainly the swimming pool float). Water fights during these years have seen water balloons and super soaker water guns, as well as the odd hose drawn from a house. Organizers have tried to minimize these activities in recent years so as not to detract from the parade itself, with varying success.
Following the parade, residents converge on Strathern Park for a giant picnic/BBQ. Many children's games and activities go on at the park, as well as in the nearby Percival park. The final event of the evening is the fireworks, which take place around 10pm at Hodgson Field.
[edit] Fête Nationale du Québec
On St-Jean-Baptiste Day (translated as John the Baptist Day) there is a picnic at Davies Park, which usually includes a group of French singers. Just after dusk, a large bonfire is held in the centre of the park.
[edit] Garbage Bowl
The Garbage Bowl is a yearly tradition where men from Montreal West separate into two teams and play a football game in the frigid weather each January 1st. Since 1950, the teams have suited up in pajamas with proceeds from donations, food, and commemorative pins going to charity.
[edit] Associations
- Art Etc.
- Montreal West Scout Group
- Montreal West Girl Guides Group
- Montreal West 50 Plus Travel Club
- Montreal West Horticultural Society
- Montreal West Operatic Society
[edit] Places of interest
[edit] Schools
- Royal West Academy High School
- 189 Easton, 514-489-8454
- Elizabeth Ballantyne Elementary School
- 314 Northview, 514-484-1006
- Edinburgh Elementary School
- 500 Hudson, 514-486-0981
[edit] Public buildings
- Montreal West Town Hall
- 50 Westminster South, 514-481-8125
- Montreal West Legion Memorial Rink
- 220 Bedbrook Avenue, 514-489-8448
- John A. Simms Community Centre
- 8 Westminster South, 514-484-6186
- Montreal West Civic Recreation Association (C.R.A.)
- 220 Bedbrook Avenue, 514-485-8598
- Montreal West Swimming Pool
- 220 Bedbrook, 514-489-6472
- Montreal West Historical Museum
- 10 Westminster North
- Montreal West Public Works
- 250 Bedbrook, 514-485-8597
- Montreal Fire Station No. 77 (Former Montreal West Fire Station)
- 114 Westminster North, 514-280-7877
[edit] Establishments of interest
- Montreal West Curling Club
- 17 Ainslie Road, 514-486-5831
- 4 Sheets of Ice
- Montreal West Tennis Club
- 250 Bedbrook, 514-489-4644
- 4 Clay Courts
- Mini-Cout Depanneur
- 56 Westminster North, 514-487-3307
- Patisserie de la Gare
- 24 Westminster North, 514-484-7565
- Quality Fruit Bowl
- 34 Westminster North, 514-481-4411
- Ski-Exchange
- 54 Westminster North, 514-486-2849
- Diz Boarding Shop
- 48 Westminster North, 514-486-9123
- Budning Pharmacy
- 40 Westminster North, 514-481-5665
- Avenue Video Westminster
- 14C Westminster North, 514-487-7337
- Westminster Hot Dog (aka Chien Chaud)
- 59 Westminster North , 514-488-7036
- Westminster Bistro
- 49 Westminster North, 514-484-0513
- Bonders Bookstore
- 52 Westminster North, 514-484-7131
- Montreal West Medi-Centre
- 31 Westminster North, 514-481-5155
- Marché Westminster
- 33 Westminster North, 514-369-6888
- Westminster Esso Service Center
- 1 Westminster North, 514-489-4342
- Westminster Cleaners
- 94 Westminster North, 514-488-6220
- Montreal West Informer
- 10 Westminster North, 514-487-4879
[edit] Libraries
- Montreal West Children's Library
- 314 Northview Street, 514-484-7194
- Royal West Academy Library
- 189 Easton
- Montreal West Adult Library
- 45 Westminster, 514-481-7441
[edit] Churches
- Montreal West United Church
- 88 Ballantyne North, 514-482-3210 *www.mwuc.org
- St. Philip's Church (Anglican)
- 3400 Connaught, 514-481-4871
- Montreal West Presbyterian Church
- 160 Ballantyne North, 514-484-7913
- Overcomers Assembly (Pentecostal Church)
- 88 Ballantyne North, 514-969-2270
[edit] Parks
- Dave Reid Park
- Named after Mr. Dave Reid, who was superintendent of the Legion Memorial Rink from its opening in 1966 until his death in 1980
- End of Bedbrook
- 1 Small Jungle Gym
- Davies Park
- Previously named Edgar Davies Park. Named for George and Edgar Davies who operated Davies Brothers, a grocery store located at 56 Westminster for many years. They were very active in the community during this time. Also previously called South Park
- Westminster South/Ainslie
- 1 Recreational, 2 Outdoor Rinks in Winter
- 1 Chalet
- George Booth Park
- Named for Fire Chief George Booth who died while performing his duties at a fire in 1975
- Bedbrook/Curzon
- 1 Baseball Diamond
- 1 Jungle Gym
- Hodgson Park
- Named after MR. G.W. Hodgson, Mayor of Montreal West 1948-54
- Bedbrook/Nelson,
- 1 Basketball court
- 1 Soccer/Football Field
- 1 Recreational & 1 Hockey Outdoor Rinks in Winter
- 1 Swimming Pool
- 1 Jogging Track
- John A. Simms Park
- Named after former mayor
- Avon/Westminster
- Kirkpatrick Park
- Named for two former mayors. Previously named Easton Park
- End of Easton
- 1 Jungle Gym
- Memorial Park
- Westminster/Ainslie
- Percival Park
- End of Percival
- 2 Baseball Diamonds
- Home field of the Montreal West Mudhens, mosquito and pee-wee level
- Near the home of Andrew Knowles, a multi-talented local
- R.D. Paul Park
- Garden/Brock (Closed)
- Named after Mr. R.D. Paul who built many of the homes in this section of town. He lived in this area and ran a contracting business which is now run by his son-in-law. Many members of his family still live in this area.
- Ronald Park
- Named after adjacent street
- Ronald/Brock South
- Roy D. Locke Park
- Ballantyne/Sherbrooke Ouest
- 1 Small Jungle Gym
- Rugby Park
- Named after adjacent street
- Rubgy/Radcliffe
- 1 Jungle Gym
- 1 Children's Swimming Pool
- Sheraton Park
- Named after adjacent street
- Cote St. Luc Rd/Sheraton
- Strathearn Park
- Named after adjacent street, used to be called North park
- Strathearn/Parkside
- 2 Jungle Gyms
- 1 Children's Swimming Pool
- Toe Blake Park
- Named after the Montreal Canadiens star hockey player and coach who lived in the house to the South of the western section of the park
- Banstead/Sheraton
- ???? Park
- Brock/Northview
[edit] Parks with unknown locations
- Ballantyne Park
[edit] External links
- Montreal West Informer
- Montreal West Operatic Society
- Montreal West Children's Library
- Elizabeth Ballantyne School
- Royal West Academy
- Montreal West United Church
- St. Philip's Church
- Montreal West Scout Group
- Montreal West Curling Club
- Cote St. Luc-Hamstead-MTL West Borough Site
- Edinburgh School
- Diz Boarding Shop
- Bonders Bookstore
- Montreal West United Church
- Overcomers Assembly
- Montreal West Scout Group (largest in Quebec)
- Montreal West Business Directory @ iconvillage.com
| Municipalities of the Island of Montreal |  |
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Baie-d'Urfé - Beaconsfield - Côte-Saint-Luc - Dollard-Des Ormeaux - Dorval - Hampstead - Kirkland - L'Île-Dorval - Montreal - Montréal-Est - Montreal West - Mount Royal - Pointe-Claire - Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue - Senneville - Westmount |
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