Premier François Legault is on a mission to change public perception of the Montreal Olympic Stadium from a symbol of failure to a point of pride. He’s well aware of the significant costs involved in refurbishing the iconic site to its former glory.
In July, the Société de développement et de mise en valeur du Parc olympique, previously known as Régie des installations olympiques, declared a need to replace the technical ring of the mammoth structure. This would pave the way for the installation of a novel roof.
This significant undertaking will inevitably inflate a project’s budget that is already of considerable complexity and has experienced numerous delays over the years. Such news has reignited a contentious debate over the necessity and worthiness of replacing the stadium’s dated roof, which is increasingly showing signs of wear and tear.
Legault, speaking candidly at a press conference coinciding with the release of a book on hockey legend Mike Bossy, asserted the need for a new installation. He lamented, “My challenge with the Olympic Stadium is to morph it from a negative emblem into a positive one.”
The Premier also underscored the site’s historic importance, remarking that the stadium and its notable leaning tower have positioned Montreal on the world stage. He added, “Many foreign visitors, particularly French ones, are eager to see the Olympic Stadium during their trip to Montreal. It necessitates a roof, and we are currently evaluating various possibilities.”
The present roof has long exceeded its lifespan. An announcement by the Liberal government under Philippe Couillard in 2017 slated its replacement, predicting a total cost between $200-250 million and completion of the work by 2022.
However, citing the project’s complexity, the timeline was shifted to 2024. Yet, this deadline also seems unlikely to be met, with no revised date currently on the table.
While the installation of a new roof will unquestionably require a sizable budget, Premier Legault remains resolute. He concludes, “Yes, the venture will be high-priced, but I firmly believe the Olympic Stadium necessitates a roof.”
