Lac-Mégantic: Remembering and moving forward after the rail disaster
On July 6, 2013, approximately one week after the 2013 Canadian national road championships a 74-car freight train carrying crude oil ran astray. What resulted was a fire and explosion that effectively flattened downtown Lac-Mégantic, Que. With a 1-km blast radius the explosions lead to 47 casualties. It was an event of immense tragedy for the small town. It is considered to be one of the worst rail accidents in Canadian history.
One year later, the Canadian national road championships were once again hosted by Lac-Mégantic. The scars of last year’s incident were clearly visible during the past two weekends as the entire town centre was fenced off and inaccessible to the public, while a massive reconstruction project was underway. “We are better, although it is a slow process,” said local bed-and-breakfast owner Hélène Isenciel whose business was just outside the blast. Her attitude is upbeat despite her proximity to the disaster. She was quite open to talk about it. Isenciel has said that the town is moving on as difficult as it may be. The town commemorated the event this past weekend.
The atmosphere in and around the area is eerily quiet at times as there are few restaurants or cafés that remain open. Nevertheless, locals are optimistic and it can be felt, particularly with the return of Canadian national road championships. “The Canadian championships was a good thing for the city and citizens,” said Isenciel. “It helps support the city, restaurants and lodging that are open.”
Just on the other side of the infamous train tracks, across from the former downtown, a shell of a brand-new part of the downtown has been built. The sports centre nearby was unaffected by the explosion despite being so close. It served as race headquarters for this year’s nationals. It is evident that life is moving forward after such a tragedy. Without doubt, the Canadian national road championships was a welcome happening in the town. After all, Lac-Mégantic is where Svein Tuft earned his new maple-leaf jersey that he is proudly wearing in the Tour de France this year—a first in cycling. Residents of the town that was devastated only one year ago can be proud knowing they were a part of making Canadian cycling history in 2014.
