Major downtown makeover coming to Chesterville

Not only will a $1.5 million South Nation riverfront improvement project dress up the downtown core with a boardwalk, but the most prominent structure on the shoreline, the former Ritchie Feed and Seed Inc. mill, will be revitalized by new ownership.

It’s a double dose of good news following closure five years ago of the village’s Nestle Canada plant, resulting in the loss of 300 jobs which have never been replaced.

In addition, a side project will also help with general core beautification. North Dundas council is in the process of acquiring the former Flynn Hotel, a vacant eyesore which will be torn down and the corner lot it sits on transformed into green space.

Empty and unwanted for the past three years, an old mill along the banks of the South Nation has a new owner and a new lease on life.

The mill has been acquired by the Chesterville branch of world-class Thérien Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing. The mill’s elevator will be converted into a three-storey dojo, a teaching, training and fitness facility operated by branch owner Norm Beauchamp.

Divested of almost all of its original water-powered equipment, the post and beam mill is believed to be the third such enterprise occupying the same site over more than 170 years. The village was originally called Armstrong’s Mills in recognition of saw and grist mills erected by Thomas Armstrong.

Currently located in a former Royal Canadian Legion building, the Beauchamp dojo recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in operation.

Estimating that more than 1,000 students have passed through his doors over the past decade, Beauchamp said the expanded space will permit more programs and services. The mill location will be named Thérien Martial Arts and Fitness Centre. The Thérien in the title is founder Jean who launched a National Capital Area network of martial arts schools beginning in 1968. In the early days, Beauchamp was one of his prize students.

While the structure sits on prime river frontage, uses for the building were seen as limited. With no heritage organizations or North Dundas interested in acquiring it, many local observers expected the mill to be torn down.

The storage portion of the mill complex will in fact be demolished, making room for Beauchamp to build a new home on the site where he’ll accommodate international visitors to his facility.

Estimated opening date of the new sports facility is September, 2011; the boardwalk is expected to be well advanced by late spring.