ADVERTISING EDITORIAL
Normand Ravary, a man of action
During his prolific career, Normand Ravary not only renovated, built and acquired an impressive number of houses and buildings; he accomplished a phenomenal project, the McGill Manor in Hawkesbury, implemented in two phases. His designer talent, mastery of all aspects of the field of construction, except for electricity, and his tenacity all contributed to the success of this ambitious plan. From 1995 to 2002, he worked at trans- forming the former Sacré-Cœur-de-Marie Hospital, at the corner of McGill and Bon Pasteur in Hawkesbury, into a complex of 66 rooms. Then, from 2006 to 2009, he added 91 rooms by acquiring a second building, the former Holiday Motel at the corner of Regent and McGill streets. Those who knowHawkesbury well certainly remember the two original buildings, almost reduced to the state of ruin at the time of their acquisition by the entrepreneur. The before and after shots are truly eloquent and many are surprised that this man came to imagine what could emerge from the landmarks that had been abandoned.
room. Only a visit of the premises could do justice to the magnitude of this task. His motivation Normand Ravary lost his parents in 1995. Shortly before, his mother had stayed in a residence. He then promised he would offer better to the people of his community. “I said to myself: You can’t raise a family and end your days like that. It is then and there that I decided to build a residence.” He visited every home in Prescott and Russell and questioned hundreds of residents to get their point of view, what they liked and what they didn’t like. “I build them Resorts . The residents must feel as if they are on a vacation.” Despite ap- pearances, the residence remains accessible to all budgets, says the businessman indicating that he wishes that his initiative benefits the largest number of people. “Here, everyone is on the same wavelength.” His career Normand Ravary had, like his five brothers, worked on the dairy farm in St-Bernardin before choosing the field of construction. “Farmer was not very popular with the girls,” says Normand Ravary to explain his choice. But before going into business, the young man began working under his brother, Jean- Guy. Thus, at the young age of 16, he learned the trade hands-on. He quickly became fore- man. “It’s natural for him. It’s been 25 years that I see him go and it is his nature. It looks like it is all in his head. He took his hammer and his saw and he went on with it,” reports Gisèle St-Onge, who has worked at his side since day one. Accountant and administrative assistant, she manages the residence. “I don’t need a plan. Tell me what you want and I’ll do it for you,” she says. In 1988, he creates his first company, N. Ravary Corp., a company associated with his brother’s. A year later, at the age of 25, he buys
His skills earned himmany major contracts, including the construction of the fire halls of Vankleek Hill and L’Orignal as well as the community center of Chute-à-Blondeau. The Caisse populaire of Hawkesbury entrusted him with major renovation work while the Beacon Hill Lodge residence did the same. In Clarence Creek, the elementary school and the Caisse populaire also bear his signature. At the same time, the contractor initi- ates his own projects. His sharp intuition allows him to detect the potential, even when not apparent. Several residential and commercial buildings bear his mark in Hawkesbury. The Hawkesbury Citizens Associa- tion also awarded him the Solidarity Trophy for his outstanding contribu- tions in 2009. But before, in 1998, And it is not without a certain pride that he says he started from zero. It has not always been easy, however, Normand Ravary is not someone who gives in easily. “I’ve always challenged the bank. For me, a No is a Yes . If you believe in what you do, you’ll get there.” From entrepreneur to manager Today, Normand Ravary has set aside build- ing to concentrate on the management of his residence, a full-time responsibility, with nearly 160 residents and 50 employees. “I love it. I give 100%, and we always try to improve the service. Buildings are nice, but without the service, they are nothing more than empty shells. We want a place where people feel safe, where they have good care and eat well. A place where life is good,” said Mrs. St-Onge adding that residents furnish their room with their own furniture, which gives them the feeling of being at home. Each Normand Ravary had obtained the 2nd place in the Ontario War- ranty Program for Best Entrepre- neur in Eastern Ontario.
room is equipped with underfloor heating and has its own thermostat to ensure everyone’s comfort. On the human side, residents feel secure. They have access to a wide range of activities and in the end, live better because they do not have a sense of solitude, a reality for several senior citizens. They enjoy better health be- cause they eat better and they have someone to ensure that medications are taken correctly. “I’m transparent. What people see on my website or in my advertisements, is what they find here,” concludes the owner of McGill Manor. If the professional field has changed, the philosophy of Normand Ravary remains the same. “There is just one way to work: you work well or you don’t work. It is not more expen- sive to work well and this applies to all fields of work. It was like that in construction and it is the same here. There is a way to give good care and that is the way we do it. That’s the way I am.” The staff is well trained. Similarly, employees of the residence must meet one requirement of the employer which is non-negotiable. (continued on pg 14)
The Manor On the sign, an elderly couple with an inviting smile. Normand Ravary pays hom- age to his parents whose picture is proudly depicted at the entrance of the two buildings of McGill Manor. Gaston Ravary and Hélène Lavigne did not have the chance to live at McGill Manor but would certainly be very proud of the work of their son, now at the head of this residence for seniors that is more akin to a private hotel with luxury and comfort, rather than what is generally expected of a retirement home. This is the signature of Normand Ravary, which expresses itself through the splendid woodwork, ceilings reaching dizzying heights, antique ornate wood fireplaces and the splen- dor of the bathrooms, which are akin to the splendour of an ancient Turkish bath. Not a square inch left to chance. But what is even more special, Normand Ravary is the sole architect of this colossal undertaking. “Big job sites like that, if I had contracted them out, I would have been out of business long ago.” Not only did he imagine and sketch every detail, but he made them one by one with his skillful hands, and then went out to find a thousand elements of decoration, including a magnificent grand piano, com- missioned from New York, which is in the spotlight during lively evenings in the dining
Before
The old Sacré-Cœur-de-Marie Hospital, before it was converted into a residence for the elderly. The small house of the sisters, right, was demolished.
After
all the shares and starts on his own with Les Entreprises Normand Ravary Ltée. In Prescott and Russell, insurance firms know him well and make use of his services to evaluate and carry out work after disasters. Quickly, his reputation earns him a full load of contracts, a phenomenon that will keep on growing. “I led, on average, five jobs per day.” To meet the demand, he will go on to employ about 15 workers with a fleet of five trucks.
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker