An offer is on the table to return the Dionne Quints home, back to Corbeil to its original site.
Roch Legros and Russell Robinson of North Bay, presently own the former Dionne Farmstead property in Corbeil.
In an open letter to the community, they are offering to accommodate the relocation of the Dionne Homestead to the former Dionne Farmstead at no cost or fee.
The two are also pledging $10,000 of their own personal funds to help finance the move and site preparation.
“There certainly hasn’t been much interest in North Bay, as I understand the situation and the Township of East Ferris has made it clear that they cannot lead this. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, it’s very, very possible.”
It's proposed that a non-profit charitable organization be formed to raise the necessary funds to help move, situate, maintain and operate the Dionne Homestead and Museum for the future.
“It’s very simple in my mind. It’s a small building with a big heart and lots of history,” Legros explained. “I understand the concern with costs in relocating it but I don’t think it’s an issue. We can do that on a U-Haul flatbed.”
Legros says his letter is a "call for support to the community to come together and talk about what they can contribute to getting this done”.
He hopes it will engage the community in volunteer efforts that have worked so successfully in other local jurisdictions.
The building and immediate property would be endowed to the charitable organization. They propose the organization pursue all available revenue streams, and funding opportunities including private sponsorships, fundraising, and government funding.
Legros and Robinson say they aren't seeking any monetary benefit in exchange.
They also propose that the land and Dionne Homestead be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in the future; and/or a Heritage Conservation Easement be registered with the Ontario Heritage Trust to legally preserve and protect the structure in perpetuity.
“This proposal presents the most reasonable and viable option at this time given the situation, and furthermore, that re-uniting the Dionne Homestead with the Dionne family farm is a dignified and respectful testament to the historical events that occurred there,” the letter continues.
Roch Legros is the grandson of Mme. Douilda Legros, midwife, who helped deliver the Dionne Quintuplets in 1934.
Madame Legros was also the aunt of Mrs. Elzire Dionne (nee Legros), the mother of the Dionne Quints.
The Legros family, once the immediate neighbours of the Dionne's, were among Corbeil's founding families who initially settled the area.
However, if circumstances dictate that this proposal is not feasible, there is a “Plan B”.
“We wish to recommend in the strongest possible terms, that the City of North Bay consult with the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa, in the interests of conserving both the Dionne Homestead and Quintuplet Collection, and to potentially enter into negotiations with them to donate these significant artifacts.”
“It is our conviction that there could be no better place for a historical building of this significance, and the remaining artifacts, to be conserved for future generations of Canadians other than the site on which it occurred. We hope that the Nipissing region will embrace and support this proposal. We certainly require the help of the greater community. Our objective is, at the very least, to lay the foundation for the continued preservation of this local, national and international history so that future generations may learn about this remarkable yet tragic world event.”
