# Historic La Sapinière Hotel Destroyed in Suspicious Fire The abandoned Val-David landmark burned down amid ongoing legal expropriation disputes. - **Source:** [La Presse](https://www.lapresse.ca) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9fdd2762-74bc-4c9f-9443-6e3b386dbd1c ## Landmark Hotel Destroyed The former La Sapinière hotel in Val-David was completely destroyed by a fire that broke out late Sunday night. Municipal authorities have officially labeled the blaze as suspicious, prompting the Sûreté du Québec to take over the investigation. Firefighters were unable to save the structure, which was slated for future demolition. ## Longstanding Legal Conflict The property has been a source of intense local controversy since its 2013 closure. Businesswoman Diane Beaudry purchased the site in 2014 for a spa project, which was later blocked by the city's 2020 decision to expropriate the land for a school. Legal battles over the property's valuation and compensation remain ongoing. ## Expropriation Financial Stakes A Superior Court ruling last year mandated that Val-David expropriate the entire estate. Current estimates suggest the public cost for this acquisition could reach 30 million dollars. The fire occurs while the city and the former owner are still negotiating the final land value and associated indemnities for the site. ## Environmental Hazard Concerns The building contained significant amounts of asbestos, complicating firefighting efforts. Authorities allowed the structure to burn to prevent contaminated runoff from reaching the adjacent lake. A retention ditch was excavated to contain water used by the thirty firefighters on site, while environmental experts monitor the local air and water quality. ## Public Health Assessment Municipal officials stated that the long-term risk to residents from asbestos exposure is considered very low. They noted that asbestos-related illnesses typically result from intense, prolonged professional exposure. However, the public has been advised to avoid the area due to potential respiratory irritation caused by smoke and lingering airborne particles. ## Political Leadership Vacuum The incident follows the recent resignation of Mayor Jean-Claude Rocheleau, who was deeply involved in the La Sapinière file. Citing health concerns, the former mayor described politics as an extreme sport. His departure adds a layer of uncertainty to the municipality's ability to navigate the complex legal and financial aftermath. ## School Project Uncertainty The city originally planned to build a fifteen-classroom school to accommodate population growth in the Laurentides region, which now exceeds 700,000 residents. Despite the fire, the project remains stalled as the municipality has not yet secured the necessary funding from the Quebec government to begin the actual construction phase. ## Future Site Implications The fire complicates the planned demolition schedule, which previously targeted secondary buildings for this autumn and the main structure for next spring at a cost of 3 million dollars. It remains unclear how the destruction of the main building will impact the ongoing legal proceedings and the final expropriation costs. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/regional/2026-11-09/val-david/le-domaine-de-la-sapiniere-ravage-lors-d-un-incendie-suspect.php?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=fil&utm_campaign=actualites — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._