Once upon a time, like in 1976, the Olympic Stadium was the pride of Montreal – massive corruption notwithstanding.
During the late 1970s and 1980s, it was home to the Montreal Expos and Montreal Alouettes (and later Montreal Concordes and Machine). I must admit fond memories were formed during that period for me (the spirit of 1976 was still evident).
However, the park hasn’t aged all that well.
By the 1990s, it went from host to the world to a concrete monstrosity – a Mafiosi’s paradise no doubt. Within a 20-25 year span, the Big O had become a provincial joke. Presently, the stadium clings on to life housing various provincially funded “sports et loisirs” organizations and whatever else. It hosts the occasional boat and car show and the sort and is serviceable for such functions. That’s about it.
The last time it hosted a major sporting event was in November 2008 for the Grey Cup. It was a qualified mess. There were stories about how access to bathrooms were difficult and restaurants ran out of food and beer. Someone I know went to the game played between the Alouettes and Stampeders and was thoroughly embarrassed. One person he knew was entertaining business partners from Calgary and the impression was underwhelming to say the least.
Now they want to play soccer there. The Montreal Impact has to host a soccer game during Champions League (hopefully in the future in the schedule will take into consideration Canadians teams may be participating.) No kidding, its own venue is outdoor and, well, in case you haven’t checked its -20c outside and filled with snow. Of course, it’s only natural to move from Saputo Stadium to the Big O; it’s right next door.
Still.
It amazes me how the Big O is still seen as a viable sporting option for franchises. Then again, what other choice do teams have? There are no major world class facilities here.
Montreal considers itself world class. No longer a major league sports town, the city hangs on to hosting various international events most people, rightly or wrongly, don’t care about.
It’s time for Montreal to stop pretending to be a top notch city and start acting like one by building a new stadium – preferably mostly with private funds. If not, we may just have to stop hosting big events until we do so.
Yes, these are not the economic times to do it. It doesn’t help that Montreal is a wealthy city to begin with. I’m not suggesting we do it now. But, it’s something that merits consideration down the road.
It would spare us the embarrassment of revealing Montreal has not progressed much since 1976.
4 Comments
January 10, 2009 at 10:07 am
As I remember , I was 14 at the time and lived in that wonderfull city , . I had the privilage of seeing the stadium built and went to couple of soccer games there during the 1976 Olympics. It is sad to hear the Stadium was not maintained for all these years . Jiust wondering if they ever finished the Tower hovering over the stadium?
January 10, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Yes they did. It’s, get this, where those awful cables are connected to hold the roof.
Yes, there is history for many people but it’s time to move on.
Thanks for the stop by.
January 12, 2009 at 6:59 pm
The Olympic stadium is well maintained, but it is a humongous concrete memorial to years gone by. That is true. This CONCACAF Champions League game is a one off and it is fantastic to have the stadium available for the Impact soccer home game. Where else could a soccer game be played in front of 30,000 people in late February in Montreal? This is something that has never happened before. Hopefully, this is just the first of many winter events for Olympic stadium. Of course, the Montreal Canadiens hockey team want the roof taken off for an outdoor game in December, 2009 – that would be the end of any other winter events at the stadium. I hope that the Canadiens dont get to do this because the Olympic stadium still has a few good years left in it and as a midwinter venue it may be especially valuable.
January 12, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Impact fan, you’re absolutely right: where are they going to play? But if we want a world class pro soccer team then it’s time we act like big boys. Furthermore, it might not be a bad idea CONCACAF plan the schedule out better.
30 000? They can probably draw more!
The O is well-maintained but it’s hopelessly outdated.
My overall point, I guess, is Montreal likes to talk it’s “world class” when it comes to sports yet we have no modern major venue.
Thanks for your comment.