en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Quebec government has approved the installation of a permanent roof for Montreal's Olympic Stadium, along with plans to renovate the venue's interior. Built for the 1976 Summer Olympics, the stadium has long been plagued by maintenance and cost issues, earning it the nickname "The Big Owe."
Designed by French architect Roger Taillibert, the stadium's retractable roof has faced structural and maintenance difficulties since its construction. Worker strikes, harsh winters, and ongoing upkeep of the retractable roof have all hindered construction and driven up costs for the Olympic Stadium. Support beams have also cracked, ultimately prompting the Montreal Expos of Major League Baseball to relocate from the venue. Some have called for the building's demolition, and a competition was even held to repurpose the roof materials.
Following the approval of $870 million CAD for a permanent roof, the Quebec government recently announced plans to renovate the stadium's interior. Demolishing the 56,000-seat stadium is estimated to cost $2 billion CAD. During a previous roof replacement, only 15% of the materials were retained, with most of the canvas sent to landfills. The cost of the interior renovation has not yet been disclosed. This month's announcement coincides with the 50th anniversary of the opening of the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
Joelle Brodeur, Executive Director of the Olympic Park, stated that the renovation will reconfigure the stands and improve concession areas. The lower-level seating will be redesigned to bring spectators closer to the playing field. Renderings of the interior renovation by Populous, used for client presentations, were published in June by *La Presse*. These renderings show the concrete interior structure intact and a new enclosed roof for game days and cultural events, highlighting the venue's flexibility for sports and entertainment activities.
In a nod to adaptive reuse, the stadium's observation tower was converted into offices for Desjardins Group in 2020. The tower will remain closed until the stadium's completion in 2027. Ongoing negotiations could see the city's Major League Soccer team, CF Montréal, play at the stadium. Outside of the soccer season, the venue hopes to become a regular stop for touring concerts.
Sarah Justine Leduc-Villeneuve of Tourisme Montréal expressed hope that the venue could host major stars like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Céline Dion. Following last week's announcement, CF Montréal stated: "We commend the work done so far by the Quebec government and the Olympic Park. We will now take the time to review the project details and continue discussions with stakeholders to assess the club's next steps." The team added that a modernized stadium is a key component for the continued growth and development of professional soccer in Montreal and across Quebec.
