Grandmaitre Family at Petrie IslandThe Grandmaitre family is well known in the Eastview (Vanier) area of Ottawa. In 1962 Donat Grandmaitre purchased Petrie Island, intending to operate a sand extraction business, and at the same time have a vacation spot for the family. You can click on the photos below to see a larger version.
They built several family cottage on the north side of the island, facing the main Ottawa River channel. The one above is now the interpretive center for Friends of Petrie Island. Spring ice floes caused damage to the cottage.
The second cottage was located about 100 meters to the east of the first cottage, just west of the traffic circle in the parking lot. The photos below are dated 1962.
They also had access to the beach which was largely natural. It was also built up from sand that was extracted from the island. Pierre and Yves Grandmaitre have many fond memories of summers spent at Petrie Island in the 1960's. Even though the family sold the island to the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton in 1983, the Grandmaitre's remain involved in the island. Yves operates the Petrie Island Bait and Tackle Shop, renting boats and ice fishing huts to local enthusiasts.
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