Sentier des cimes Laurentides – a passionate team and a project well on its way

Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré, Friday, November 12, 2021 - Ms. Kathy Poulin, outgoing mayor of the village of Val-David, and Mr. Jean Sébastien Thibault are proud to announce that they are joining Mr. Nicolas Joly, general director of the Sentier des cimes Laurentides, to contribute to the success of this exceptional project and to anchor it in the region's strengths. The construction of the tower, which will reach 40 meters in height, and the treetop walk, that extends over 1.25 km through the Laurentian Forest, are rapidly taking shape on the site of the former fish farm. The opening is scheduled for the summer of 2022.

Through their work and commitments, Ms. Poulin and Mr. Thibault have developed an excellent knowledge of the region's tourism, sports, cultural, entrepreneurial, and political precincts as well as a solid network of partners. They are excited to be working with Mr. Joly, who initiated the partnership between the German company Erlebnis Akademie AG (eak) and the MRC des Laurentides. Together, the team wants to develop the extraordinary potential of this site and work to promote the assets of the Laurentians to the local population and beyond. The environmental and inclusive mission of the project also appeals to them greatly and they will deploy it with conviction and creativity.

"Eak's investment represents an exceptional opportunity to give a second life to this site of great heritage and ecological value in the heart of our magnificent landscapes," explains the new Director of Operation, Mr. Thibault, who is known for having revitalized the famous P'tit Train du Nord trail. "With the Sentier des cimes, the site strategically located on the edge of the linear park, will once again be a sought-after destination; an educational experience for the whole family, appreciated by residents and visitors alike.

Indeed, all nature lovers, families, seniors as well as mobility impaired, will be excited to walk the trail and observation tower to access unique views, perspectives, and experiences. A maximum gradient of 6% will allow for easy movement with wheelchairs and strollers.

Ms. Poulin, the new Director of Marketing and Communications, adds, "Through the learning and activity stations located along the path of the walkway, we will provide information on the history and attractions of the region while raising awareness on major issues such as the protection of the boreal forest. In addition, local and artisanal products, such as non-timber forest products (NTFPs), will be promoted throughout the site, from the boutique to the restaurant and the horticultural layout!"

Visiting the site to appreciate the progress of the work and share their expertise, members of the management of eak, the European leader in this type of nature-based recreation facility, are extremely satisfied: "We are more than happy that after the years of preparation, we now can see the progress of the construction at the Old fish farm” stated Mr Bernd Bayerköhler, CEO of eak. “From the very first moment it was clear to us that this was the place to go, because we can realize a unique destination at a unique location. I strongly believe that Ms Poulin, Mr Thibault and Mr Joly are forming an excellent team that can raise the full potential of the sight and develop it into a first class visitor experience and one of the major attractions in the Laurentians”.

As a company committed to sustainable development, it is important for eak to do business with local companies from the beginning of the planning stage to the completion of the project. Thus, PLA architects Inc. is overseeing the conversion of the buildings and the construction of the trail, while the engineering and structural analysis services are being performed by the company LH2, two companies located in Mont-Tremblant, near the construction site. The general contractor for the construction of the trail and the large tower is the Ultimateck company of Boisbriand. And most of the wood used will be machined at the Art Massif plant in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli.

You can find more information on the Treetop Walk Laurentides.

The press release is also available for download in PDF format.

About Erlebnis Akademie AG

Erlebnis Akademie AG (eak) is one of Europe's leading providers (construction and operation) of nature-based leisure facilities with nature and environmental education elements. It was founded in 2001 in Bad Kötzting / Bavarian Forest in Germany as an AG (public limited company) and has been listed on the m:access of the Munich Stock Exchange since December 2015. In Germany, it currently operates five treetop walks: in the Bavarian Forest (2009), on Rügen including the Natural Heritage Center (2013), in the Black Forest (2014), at the Saarschleife (2016) and their latest facility on the Baltic Sea island of Usedom (2021). In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is involved in a joint venture in the treetop walks in Lipno (2012), in the Krkonoše Mountains (2017) and in the High Tatras (2017). The company maintains an eighth and ninth treetop walk in the Austrian Salzkammergut region on Grünberg Mountain in Gmunden (2018) and in Rogla, Slovenia (2019). In addition to the Treetop Walk Usedom, the Treetop Walk Alsace in France (2021) is also one of eak's newest facilities. Eak's other recreational facilities include the adventure playgrounds Adventure Forest Sommerberg and Adventure Forest Saarschleife at the Black Forest and Saarschleife sites, and the Forest Kingdom at the Bachledka site. Additional projects at home and abroad are in the planning stage.
www.treetop-walk.com/laurentides

Another important component of the Erlebnis Akademie AG is the DoNature gGmbH. This non-profit organisation is committed to the sustainable development of our living environment by combining education and experience in nature. DoNature gGmbH is responsible for environmental education at the German locations and also conducts seminars, events and team training (s.e.t.) with sustainable and nature-oriented aspects.
www.do-nature.de
www.eak-ag.de/en

Contact

Kathy Poulin
Director– Marketing & Communications
Sentiers des cimes inc.
737, rue de la Pisciculture
Saint-Fausting-Lac-Carré
Quebec J0T 1J2
Canada
819-219-0992
kpoulin@sentierdescimes.ca
www.eak-ag.de/en

Patrizia Müller
Director– Marketing & Communications
Erlebnis Akademie AG
Hafenberg 4
93444 Bak Kötzting
Germany
patrizia.mueller@eak-ag.de
www.eak-ag.de/en