A contemporary look for a long-established forest park. The name, Opeongo, derives from the Anishnaabe word opeauwingauk (sandy narrows); it refers to Canada’s Indigenous people and their deep love for nature. The Opeongo Pavilion is located in Parc du Mont-Orford, a true gem amid lakes, mountains, and forest, an hour drive from Montréal. The park is run by the SÉPAQ (Société des établissements de plein air du Québec), which is responsible for Québec’s extensive park network.

In the early 2010s, SÉPAQ went through major changes, favoring contemporary rather than traditional approaches for its new buildings. Several firms were hired, among them the firm of Anne Carrier architecture, which was mandated to design three new service buildings for the Parc du Mont-Orford: Le Bonnallie, Opeongo, and Le Cerisier. Creating a distinctive architectural signature for the park was an exciting challenge for the architectural team. However, they would need to win over visitors accustomed to traditional chalet-style visitor centers.