Plan B (1)

Hello to all,

Since yesterday, I have been looking in the Remax Quebec site for commercial rentals. They seem pretty expensive. There is a nice one corner of Beaubien and Drolet. But they ask 4800$ per month. The rest is between 1500 and 2000$ per month.

Another solution would be to rent time in an existing dojo, gym or dance school until we find a more affordable rental.

Does anyone know how much was the rent on St-Zotique or have the slightest idea it was?

Happy New year to all.

Eric

Update(4) on Disaster: Montreal Karate Club has gone up in smoke.

Hello fellow Karatekas,

Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year. 2009 will definitely be a year of new beginnings with some valuable traditions.

Update:

The Dojo is unsalvageable, basically all our equipment is no longer useful. Sensei does have a few things that are still good, mostly some personal items. The Dojo is barricaded and we are unable to enter, no matter though, nothing is pressing. The teacher will return from Japan on the 12th as planned. In the meantime, we will organize ourselves to have options for Sensei upon his return, we need to have alternative venues to start over again, there may be a possibility that we will not be able to return to St. Zotique in the future. Of course the best case scenario would be to go back but we need to have a plan “B” just in case. If any of you have any ideas, please forward them to me and I will be meeting with several senior students to have a plan of action presented to the Teacher upon his return.

I spoke with Sensei this morning and he is fine, of course concerned, but in relatively good spirits. He wanted to extend his best wishes for the New Year to all, and his gratitude. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to write me or call me.

Have a great day, and Happy New Year,

George

Previous updates here, here, here and here.

Update(3) on Disaster: Montreal Karate Club has gone up in smoke.

Ok thank Steve (Steve Humenay has offered his van to move Sensei's stuff), we have not yet gotten the go ahead from the landlord, I will be contacting everyone in the next little while to get together to discuss where we are and what can we do to help, if only a small group is assembled, I will keep everyone informed of what we are doing just the same.

Have a great day everyone,

George

Previous updates here, here and here.

Update(2) on Disaster: Montreal Karate Club has gone up in smoke.

First, a nice word from one of our Norway friends.

Le 08-12-27, à 06:33, Yngvar Åge Nilsen a écrit :

Dear all karate friends

I was shocked when I recieved the news about the fire in honbu dojo in Montreal. I don’t know what to say or how to express my feelings as it is sad news.

Visiting the dojo several times and meeting many of the great students to Watanabe sensei I am shure this case will be taken care of to the best for Watanabe, Shorinryu and all his students.

My best wishes to all of you and thanks for all the information. Hope to see you againe next year.

Regards from Ylla


Then some news from our dear Sensei who spoke by phone with our dear friend Hai.

Very dear friends,

I just spoke to Sensei: he is still very shocked and has difficulty to sleep.For I unsuccessfully tried to reach him yesterday, Sensei told me he called some of you to find out who tried to call him !I told him that the dojo phone number has been forwarded to Georges 's cell phone and Sensei was pleased to know that.

I also mentionned to him that we may be able to have a look inside the school sometime next week but that this still has to be confirmed since the whole thing is still under investigation.

At least Sensei is with his family; they are preparing the coming of the New Year following the japanese tradition.Sensei was at his Sensei's dojo yesterday for the last training of the year.

This is it for the time being.
Take care.Very truly yours,

HAI

P.S. Sensei stays at his brother in law 's place (Mr Ohuchida)
P.P.S. Please find attached the latest version of the list of names I have updated thanks to Serge Lemieux (updates are in green-dec27th2008 version)


Last but not least news: The dojo phone number will be forwarded to Georges 's cell phone on monday 29.

Previous updates here and here.

Disaster: Montreal Karate Club has gone up in smoke.

Guys;

Don't know how to tell you that very sad sad sad news. But the dojo burnt down today. Total loss. We were shopping on St-Hubert and by coincidence, we walked up to St-Zotique . Clelia told me there was a big fire near the dojo. Nooooo! It is the dojo that is burning. So far, I can't believe it. Watanabe's life, 40 years of MKC, has gone up in smoke.

A policeman told me that Bruno had talked with him. He also told me that they will barricade everything. Leave a phone number when someone wants to visit the place. Those who wanted to go train on Jan 1st will have to meet to discuss the matter. I should be there. Don"t think I am going to Quebec City for the New Year. Let's keep in touch and try to reach all the black belts. I don't have any phone numbers, though. I leave a note on the blog, the Facebook page and so on.

Check the LCN news. There are two videos as well:

http://lcn.canoe.ca/lcn/infos/faitsdivers/archives/2008/12/20081223-104346.html

Dans 24heures:

http://www.24hmontreal.canoe.ca/24hmontreal/actualites/archives/2008/12/20081223-144446.html

From The Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/Another+fire+Rosemont+area+Montreal/1108510/story.html

I saw a video on RDI news but can't find it on the web. It was taken at the beginning of the fire and you can see those big flames gettitng out by the office window. I bet it is that damn little ventilator that caused a short-circuit. Anyway, something happened in Sensei's office.

(update) I found it. It is in the noon RDI broadcast. After the Telus ad, it is the third news at about the 2:00 mark. Chilling. Acccording to this report, a woman saw the front window exploded and then the flames. And I edited the news video before they erase them.

Fire at the Montreal Karate Club
envoyé par Montreal_Karate_Club

(update) Go to this post for the first update on the situation. To this post for the second update. To this one for the third update. The fourth update is here.

Sigh!!!!
Eric