Approximately 50 people from the Sunny Brae neighbourhood got their wish at last night’s Moncton City Council meeting.
Councillors voted 9 – 2 to change the name of René Arthur Fréchet Park to Braemar Park – with Paulette Theriault, and Pierre Boudreau as the “Nay” votes.
Pete McNeil spoke out passionately in support of the change back to Braemar, but said he was disappointed at the lack of support from Ward Councillor Theriault.
“We voted her in, we needed her support, we didn’t get it and I think that was wrong, she should have opened her ears a little more, and listened to what the people had to say,” says McNeil. “We put her in power, she came around and campaigned, and we shook her hand, and we said “we’ll vote for you,” and we needed her vote, and we didn’t get it.”
McNeil said honouring Fréchet by naming a park after him wouldn’t do him justice.
“The buildings that he designed, that is what’s going to do him justice,” says McNeil. “And I think all the Councillors saw that, and realized that was definitely a much better deal for family of the Fréchets, and I think it was a better deal for the people in Sunny Brae.”
McNeil supports the possibility of naming the park in front of Castle Manor after Fréchet.
“And I know we’re going to find a spot for Mr. Fréchet, I don’t deny wanting to see him be at Castle Manor because when you drive up Mountain Road you look at that building, and with his name on it and with his family knowing that name’s on it, I think that’s a great thing for the City because it is an icon,” says McNeil.
The name change back to Braemar Park is conditional on Fréchet being used on a new location by April 30th, 2017.
