Magog-Orford Youth Hostel to Close After Offer to Purchase/Rent Presbytere St-Patrice is Rejected
MAGOG, QC - The Magog-Orford youth hostel will be forced to close its doors on October 15th after its offer to continue operating out of the Presbytere St-Patrice was refused by the Diocese of Sherbrooke.Director Josée Roy confirmed the hostel submitted a thorough offer on September 2nd, following three months of business planning, securing potential financing, obtaining building work submissions, and gathering community support letters.
Despite this effort, Roy received notification three days later that the offer was rejected, along with all other proposals received. “We were told that our offer had been analyzed and refused, and that no other offer received had been accepted,” Roy stated.The hostel’s current agreement with the Presbytere factory ends October 15th, and the Diocese has confirmed the hostel must vacate the premises by that date. roy expressed confusion, noting the owners are seeking both sales and rental proposals. She added that most communication has been in writing, with some calls from priest Éric Vaillancourt.
“Since the letter putting an end to our contract received in January, there have been several discussions with our board of directors, but the reason for the end of the contract has never been said clearly,” Roy lamented.
The hostel currently pays $72,000 annually in rent. Roy questioned the rationale for the closure, stating, “There is no accepted offer, but we are still asked to leave. There might potentially be something behind all that is not told. Is there another project on the table?”
The Magog-Orford youth hostel welcomes over 5,000 travelers each year and Roy expressed concern about the impact of the closure on the community. “There business goes well, the Magogoise community appreciates us… Now where are they going to go?”
Currently, the organization has been unable to find a suitable alternative location due to building size and zoning restrictions. “We don’t have a plan B. We are preparing at the end of the inn in October,” Roy confirmed.
The Platform has reached out to the Saint-Patrice parish factory for comment and is awaiting a response.