Salaberry-de-Valleyfield - A downtown reinvented by light in 3 stages
To the left of the picture, the Souffle set is attached to the floor lamp.
A downtown area transformed by light
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Customer | City of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield |
| Agent | Leblanc Illuminations-Canada |
| Project duration | 3 years (2022–2024) |
| Total budget | $250,000 (including the MEIE's contribution) |
| Scope | Downtown — Main Shopping Districts |
| Number of streetlights | About 190 streetlights have been upgraded |
| New decorations | 140 new sets + 70 renovated existing structures |
| Technology | Warm LED , cool white, and gold accent LED lights |
Background and Objective
Following a public call for bids launched in 2022, Leblanc Illuminations-Canada was selected by the City of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield to design, manufacture, and install a new lighting system intended to transform the heart of the city. The mission went far beyond a simple seasonal embellishment: the goal was to restore the downtown area’s appeal, stimulate commercial activity along its streets, and use light to create a renewed connection between residents and their shared space.
The project is fully aligned with the municipal action plan for revitalizing the downtown area, announced in the spring of 2022, and receives financial support from the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy. It brings the City’s strategic ambition to “increase the area’s appeal and citizens’ sense of belonging” to life, giving it a tangible, visible, and memorable expression.
The project entrusted to Leblanc Illuminations included the custom design of the decorative concept, the adaptation and enhancement of existing structures, as well as the manufacture and delivery of all components, accompanied by detailed installation instructions. Installation, seasonal dismantling, and storage remained the responsibility of the municipal public works teams, in a spirit of partnership that was both efficient and cost-effective.
Creative Vision: An Identity Born of the Wind
To capture the luminous spirit of Valleyfield, Leblanc Illuminations drew direct inspiration from the town’s unique character: the wind. This brisk, persistent breeze, which sweeps across Saint-François Bay and quietly shapes the daily lives of Valleyfield’s residents, serves as the central theme of a decorative concept of rare coherence. Fluid spirals, dynamic curves, suspended strands of light… each motif seems frozen in the moment of a gust of wind, poised between grace and vitality.
The light palette, subtly balanced between warm and cool whites, reveals the depth of each structure through delicate contrasts. Golden tones, gradually introduced throughout the design phases, bring a precious warmth that transcends the harshness of winter. Crafted from anodized aluminum treated to resist corrosion, the structures combine understated sturdiness with refined craftsmanship, embodying a lasting and refined elegance.
Reversibility has been established as a design principle: the triangles salvaged from the old installations convey a dual meaning depending on the season. Pointing downward in winter, they symbolize the force of the wind; raised toward the sky when the warm weather returns, they sketch the serene silhouette of a fir tree. This subtlety reflects the depth of the creative work and ensures that the decorations maintain a natural and harmonious presence throughout the year.
A three-phase rollout
PHASE 1 2022 — Awakening — Renewal and Revitalization
• Unveiling of 140 new decorative lights on streetlights, installed along the main streets of downtown: Alexandre, Grande-Île, Maden, Victoria, Du Centenaire, and Champlain streets.
• Installation of 50 new pole mounted decorations designs from the Souffle collection, the visual hallmarks of this first season.
• Careful refurbishment of 70 existing structures, which were restored and reinforced to accommodate the new designs while maintaining perfect aesthetic continuity.
• 45 reversible triangular structures—both small and large—set up along Alexandre, Grande-Île, and Jacques-Cartier streets, the result of an exemplary circular economy initiative.
• A 3-meter-tall three-dimensional installation has appeared at the corner of Victoria and Nicholson Streets, illuminated by lights that alternate between warm white, cool white, and golden hues.
• Magical lighting of Delpha-Sauvé Park and its entrances, adorned with festoon .
• Enhancing Victoria Street with tree lighting
PHASE 2 2023 — Fulfillment — Expansion of the lighting concept
• The addition of 25 new pole mounted decorations the Merry collection, expanding the decorative range with an extra touch of elegance.
• Installation of a large, golden, animated 3D Amaya Christmas tree, situated in the center of a median strip, serving as a true beacon of light for the winter season, accompanied by 3D reindeer decorations and sparkling golden snowflakes.
• Installation of 20 pole mounted decorations featuring a multicolored floral theme, marking the first time decorative displays have been featured beyond the winter season.
PHASE 3 2024 — The Fulfillment — Staging
• Installation of 25 additional pole mounted decorations , ensuring visual consistency throughout the downtown area.
• Installation in Delpha-Sauvé Park of a freestanding 3D sleigh, an immersive photo spot that has become a must-see attraction for families and visitors.
Environmental Responsibility and Innovation
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this project embodies a genuine commitment to ethical standards that Leblanc Illuminations has successfully integrated into every stage of its development. Here, sustainability is not just lip service: it is tangibly reflected in the choice of materials, the manufacturing processes, and every design decision.
Resource optimization: The old municipal structures were not discarded, but carefully restored, reinforced, and then reinterpreted to accommodate new designs. This approach extends their lifespan while significantly reducing waste generation.
Material innovation: Some of the daytime decorative elements were created using translucent recycled materials, including water bottles repurposed through robot-assisted 3D printing, thereby giving everyday objects a creative new lease on life.
Preserving existing structures: aluminum structures that were still functional were retained and modernized with new cladding, thereby avoiding unnecessary replacements and making the most of the resources already invested.
Energy efficiency: All of the lighting systems utilize LED technology, which is recognized for its low energy consumption and durability, making it a naturally responsible and sustainable solution.
Delivery, installation, and durability
The success of an urban lighting project depends as much on its design as on its implementation. Recognizing this, Leblanc Illuminations delivered the lighting fixtures at the start of fall, along with clear and easy-to-follow installation instructions, enabling municipal crews to install them easily and safely without requiring any special technical expertise.
The structures are designed to withstand the harsh Quebec winters while minimizing the risk of damage. This “ready-to-install” approach, combined with the durability of the materials used, ensures long-lasting performance season after season and turns every initial investment into a lasting asset for years to come.
Conclusion - Reach and Lasting Impact
In just three seasons, the project has achieved what few urban initiatives manage to do: permanently transform perceptions of the downtown area and the way residents engage with it. In Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, the downtown has established itself as a winter destination in its own right—lively, welcoming, and distinctive.
Once quieter in the evenings, the main shopping streets have become vibrant, well-lit hubs that encourage people to linger and help sustain the vitality of local shops and restaurants. Iconic installations such as the Amaya 3D Christmas tree, the giant gift, and the freestanding sleigh have established themselves as strong visual landmarks, eagerly anticipated by families and widely shared throughout the seasons. Thanks to pole mounted decorations and reversible designs, this decorative presence extends well beyond winter, contributing to a strong identity year-round.
By drawing on Valleyfield’s unique identity—the wind, the bay, and the character of the place—the project has also strengthened residents’ sense of belonging. Ultimately, it demonstrates that it is possible to combine aesthetic ambition, sustainability, and budgetary discipline through an approach based on the reuse, refurbishment, and reinterpretation of existing structures.
In Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, lighting has made a lasting impact. Contact our team to discuss your project and discover how a custom lighting strategy can enhance your downtown or public space.
Project Gallery
Photo credit: Viviane Hervieux
For urban lighting projects that combine custom design and concepts with sustainability and efficiency, Leblanc Illuminations-Canada is your trusted partner. Contact us to plan your project.
Source
INFOSuroit.com — “140 New Light Decorations in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield,” published on December 1, 2022.