Ha! Ha! Pyramid

The pyramid in 2008

The neighbourhood of Grande-Baie suffered heavy damage from the flood of 1996. Ten people died and between 12,000 to 16,000 residents were displaced. Some 500 to 800 buildings were destroyed, more than 1,200 damaged, and damage estimates ranged from CA$300–700 million.[3][4][5]

The project was therefore seen as a form of therapy to help residents recover from the traumatic events of the flood,[6] and to revitalise the area by adding a new tourist and artistic attraction. A group of local citizens formed The Restoration Committee of Ha! Ha!, put forward the idea for a new art installation, and requested help from local artist Jean-Jules Soucy.[7] Soucy submitted a contemporary design that would express both "originality and a sense of humor".[6]

The project called for the full restoration of the Ha! Ha! River, on whose banks the project is situated, and the construction of a new public park in the area where a bridge once stood, which would contain the 21 metres (69 ft) high pyramid and an area for public performances.[6]

The project was estimated to cost $2 million, and was completed in several stages. The Ha! Ha! park was completed in 1998 for a total of $1.3 million, and was officially inaugurated during the 2000 Festival of Lac-Saint-Jean. Financing was achieved through a public-private partnership, including a fund-raising campaign that netted $300,000. Finally, in 2005, a public square was completed next to the project at a cost of $35,000.[6]

The pyramid is a 21-metre (69 ft) high aluminum structure covered in 3,000 yield signs with standard reflective coating.[1][8] The design of the signs were noted by Soucy to be similar to the Greek delta (Δ).[9] The signs are meant to encourage people to help one another, as the French word for "yield", céder, is pronounced the same as s'aider, meaning "to help each other".[10]

A central staircase provides access to an observation deck which allows views of the Haha portion of the surrounding Saguenay River valley.[1] On the pyramid's interior walls there are a number of plaques dedicated to local families engraved with the names of those who were directly affected by the flood.

In 2007 the pyramid was one of three finalists for the "new development prize" from Les Arts et la Ville, a nonprofit organisation that supports the artistic and cultural life of smaller municipalities.[11]

The Canadian yield sign