Pointe-Claire’s Pioneer pub has been sold, owner Diane Marois confirmed, saying the documents were signed at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
In a statement, Marois said she is ready to “close this chapter of my life and move on.”
READ MORE: ‘It’s a landmark’: Pointe-Claire residents vow to save the Pioneer
“I do not want to dwell on what has happened to date but do hope that this is a cautionary tale for all of the villagers that have raised the loudest fuss: if you don’t value local business when you actually have the chance, you have no right to complain when it is lost,” she wrote.
“At the end of the day, this is, after all, a business, and no business can survive without customers.”
Marois told Global News that she cannot give any details about plans for the site because buyer Greg Koegl of Koebra Development Corporation still has to meet with the City of Pointe-Claire as well as face resident opposition to his development project.
READ MORE: Pointe-Claire rejects development project to replace the Pioneer
She notes that $100,000 is still needed to repair the building, which is more than 117 years old, following the recent floods.
WATCH BELOW: Flood hits Pioneer Bar
Any modifications to the site will still have to be accepted by the public and the Pointe-Claire Historical Society, after the city’s demolition committee rejected the developer’s original plans to build condos.
“We’re still at a standstill. We’re still very hopeful. There’s a lot going on in the next few months that will prove to be quite interesting,” said Tracy McBean, a resident who opposes the development.
READ MORE: Pointe-Claire decides to demolish historic Pioneer Bar, condo project on hold
Pointe-Claire Mayor John Belvedere notes that the developer is working with the city’s urban planning department to come up with something acceptable.
“Nothing has really changed on the city’s thoughts. All we’re doing is waiting for him to come back with a new project,” he told Global News.
“He still has the right to demolish but only providing that his plans get approved by the city. He’s only allowed to do what the city and the bylaws and the zones allow him to do.”
The structure originally opened as a hotel in the 19th century before becoming the Pioneer in 1979.
WATCH BELOW: Pointe-Claire residents fight to save Pioneer pub
“I’m still hoping that they’re going to restore it, the developer will back away from this and realize that this is not an issue that’s going to go away,” McBean told Global News.
“We’re going to have to do a bit more work as soon as they get in the building, but buildings in worse shape have been brought back to life. Residents just have to keep their voices strong.”
Koegl has until the first week of April to submit his plans to the city. Marois says she wishes him “all of the luck and success with whatever they plan to do.”
“Their success will, no doubt, be a success for the community so rather than fight them, I think everyone should do their best to support them,” she wrote.
READ MORE: Pointe-Claire proposes to change building code for historic village
Koegl has yet to return Global News’ request for comment.
Residents, including McBean, plan to attend the next council meeting on Jan. 15 at city hall.
WATCH BELOW: City of Pointe-Claire rejects development project to replace the Pioneer
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