The Ontario Provincial Planners Institute honoured Cornwall's Renaissance Group during its convention in September, recognizing the dedication and teamwork in its revitalization program for the City's Le Village community. The 1999 Excellence in Planning Award, chosen by peers in the planning profession, was presented in the communications/public relations/education category.

The project, spearheaded by former alderman Chuck Charlebois, is an effort to lay the foundation for enhancements in the residential, commercial, and institutional sectors of the City's east end community. Tremendous support has been provided by residents, merchants, and property owners of the area. Graduate students from McGill University, directed by internationally renowned Professor Avi Friedman, have been studying and researching the demographics, building inventory, and infrastructure of the area for the past year, and have prepared a report recommending areas of improvement. Physical improvements will begin to identified properties in the coming months, as designed by the architectural team.

"This is a grassroots project" explained Charlebois, "and its encouraging to our volunteers, design team, investors, and the entire Renaissance organization to receive such a highly recognized award. Needless to say, the year 2000 should be an exciting one for this community".