MONTREAL - The Old Port Corporation has displayed the plans for its newest addition to Old Montreal: a sandy beach.
The beach will be built on the Clock Tower Quay, and will include benches, sand, showers and umbrellas.
But one traditional reason for going to the beach -- swimming -- will be verboten.
Officials say the current in the St. Lawrence river around the Old Port is too strong so swimming will not be allowed.
In addition the location for the beach, around the Clock Tower, is several metres above the water line.
Regardless, Claude Benoit says coming down to the sand will be an attraction for Montrealers, or for "anybody that wants to take a break, take off their shoes, sit on a nice bench and just enjoy the sun."
"There will be sand there, and showers or water features so people can get wet and, you know, can be comfortable."
Plans are not yet set in stone, but beach-goers may have to pay up to $7 for the privilege of walking in sand.
Benoit said it will likely cost $3 million to create the beach, and that it will open in 2012.
It's part of a large scale, $188 million renovation of the waterfront that is taking three years, and should be finished in time for the city of Montreal's 375th anniversary in 2015.
