Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[Djeffery]

I guess it depends on what else they plan to do with the site. Maybe they come up with something that the tower fits. Is the stadium an integral part of the structure of the tower or can the tower still exist without the stadium under it? Funny to hear you say enough of TS lol.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

I guess it depends on what else they plan to do with the site. Maybe they come up with something that the tower fits. Is the stadium an integral part of the structure of the tower or can the tower still exist without the stadium under it? Funny to hear you say enough of TS lol.

They're integrated but not integral.

source: https://cultmtl.com/2021/08/see-some...-construction/


source: https://www.mtlblog.com/15-pictures-...uilt-1973-1976

[elly63]

Every couple of years my brother would give me a hard cover Guinness Book of Records for Christmas in the late 70s/80s. The records often stayed the same.

One that kind of stayed with me was that the Velodrome roof was the heaviest thing ever raised by jacks (4 inches or something like that). I may have that all wrong but it was something like that.

Edit: I guess the paper below does talk about the Velodrome. It took 36 jacks to move the roof on four abutments, if I read that correctly.

[elly63]

I think I've posted this here before. I looked for it recently and just stumbled upon it now while looking for proof of my post above.

1976 Montreal Olympics: Case Study of Project Management Failure
Cleveland State University

"On May 12, 1970. extensive lobbying and diplomacy by Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau paid off when Montreal was awarded the 1976 Olympic Games over strong bids from Moscow and Los Angeles.

Drapeau stated that the Games would cost a maximum of $124 million and that the history and reputation of Montreal would stand in place of a guarantee (Auf deT Maur 1976).

For the next few years, very little was done. The original plan was scrapped. Mayor Drapeau became enamored with architect Roger Taillibert's Parc des Princes in Paris."

Makes me want to see what the "original plan" was.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by elly63

I think I've posted this here before. I looked for it recently and just stumbled upon it now while looking for proof of my post above.

1976 Montreal Olympics: Case Study of Project Management Failure
Cleveland State University

"On May 12, 1970. extensive lobbying and diplomacy by Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau paid off when Montreal was awarded the 1976 Olympic Games over strong bids from Moscow and Los Angeles.

Drapeau stated that the Games would cost a maximum of $124 million and that the history and reputation of Montreal would stand in place of a guarantee (Auf deT Maur 1976).

For the next few years, very little was done. The original plan was scrapped. Mayor Drapeau became enamored with architect Roger Taillibert's Parc des Princes in Paris."

Makes me want to see what the "original plan" was.

So important timeline to know of is that in 1968 the National League baseball franchise was awarded. Near simultaneously the bids were coming together (from Toronto, Montreal, and Hamilton). A quote in a story about the bids was "Montreal's application is similar to the one presented two years ago when Montreal tried for the 1972 games ... A 50,000 seat stadium is planned for that area for 1972"

Here is a picture from when the games were awarded.

From the Calgary Herald, May 13, 1970 Page 43

[northernlights99]

Yes you could tear down the Stadium section by section and leave the section built up against the Incline tower left standing. But it would look silly.

Imagine that part of the Stadium left intact with the Incline tower standing and the rest of Olympic Stadium gone.

The Incline tower looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa but 3 times taller. Do we assume the Government wants the site to look this way ?

I mean they have to take this into consideration.

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

You can of course bring the stadium down without bringing the tower, aquatic centre or biome down. There'd be a question of how much of the parking garage you'd want to keep. The stadium was built piece by piece then tensioned in place. You can of course do it in reverse.

[jonny24]

The leaning tower of Pisa is a world famous tourist draw.

One man's "looks silly" is another's "architectural marvel".

[northernlights99]

the function of the tower is to hold up a roof, if there is no stadium there and no roof to hold up, the tower's function is disabled

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by northernlights99

the function of the tower is to hold up a roof, if there is no stadium there and no roof to hold up, the tower's function is disabled

The tower is multifunctional. As mentioned previously, it also functions as an office tour and tourist attraction in its own right. Holding up the roof is arguably secondary to both those functions at this point.

[ToxiK]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

The tower is multifunctional. As mentioned previously, it also functions as an office tour and tourist attraction in its own right. Holding up the roof is arguably secondary to both those functions at this point.

That's right. 2000 employees are working there. Saying that the function of the tower is to hold the roof of the stadium is like saying the function of the CN Tower is for communication. There is more to those structures now that the original functions.

[shreddog]

I have no idea what the future holds for the stadium, and it has certainly had a "storied" life, but damn it is still the sexiest stadium I think that has ever built!

I am so glad for the few times that I was there (sports, concerts, tourist) and if a day comes when it is no longer there, I will miss it with the fondest of memories.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by shreddog

I have no idea what the future holds for the stadium, and it has certainly had a "storied" life, but damn it is still the sexiest stadium I think that has ever built!

Could they take this vision and build on that theme "sexiest stadium ever built" or "most sci-fi stadium ever built" etc. It is a large tourist attraction but also make it a place for people to hold events there like weddings etc. The idea is to make it a destination for events like the art Deco Eatons building floors in Montreal and Toronto.

I wonder if a three phase plan would be palatable.

Phase I, complete the roof, make an agreement with CFM/Als to play early and late season games there. This also allows for more winter dates as many are not being booked now because of the roof.

Phase II, use the old English stadium model of renovating one side of the stadium stands. The idea is to make the stadium more rectilinear and smaller (30k)

Phase III, remodel the other side of the stadium. If possible, use temporary modular seating to make the seating areas smaller and closer to the action.

The idea is too spread the cost over several years, each phase being two or three years apart. It's been awhile so I could be wrong but I think that's how they used to do it in England.

In conclusion, the idea is to communicate a long term plan, change the hearts, minds and attitudes, complete the roof, complete one side of the stadium, complete the other (in less than ten years)

I think that is doable

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

So important timeline to know of is that in 1968 the National League baseball franchise was awarded. Near simultaneously the bids were coming together (from Toronto, Montreal, and Hamilton). A quote in a story about the bids was "Montreal's application is similar to the one presented two years ago when Montreal tried for the 1972 games ... A 50,000 seat stadium is planned for that area for 1972"

Hamilton wanted a major league baseball team? Wow, I had no idea.

It quite probably would not have lasted, at least not in this town, but it's neat to imagine how the local sports drama may have played out. With the city vying for the NHL too, that would have made for some interesting news stories.

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Hamilton wanted a major league baseball team? Wow, I had no idea.

It quite probably would not have lasted, at least not in this town, but it's neat to imagine how the local sports drama may have played out. With the city vying for the NHL too, that would have made for some interesting news stories.

This is the first I've heard of it. Not sure if it's accurate.

I agree that it wouldn't have lasted.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Hamilton wanted a major league baseball team? Wow, I had no idea.

It quite probably would not have lasted, at least not in this town, but it's neat to imagine how the local sports drama may have played out. With the city vying for the NHL too, that would have made for some interesting news stories.

Wanted to host the Olympics. Hence why Montreal was bidding as well.

[Acajack]

For all of the discussions on here, I don't think there is any politician with any power (or even any likely to gain power) at the moment in either Montreal or Quebec who is on the record as saying the Olympic Stadium should be demolished.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by Acajack

For all of the discussions on here, I don't think there is any politician with any power (or even any likely to gain power) at the moment in either Montreal or Quebec who is on the record as saying the Olympic Stadium should be demolished.

It is an exhaust all options option combined with a Nixon goes to China.

<<I wanted to save it, see, I was willing to spend $XXX! But having done a full evaluation, the situation is worse than we ever imagined, and will lead to an outcome no one wants even after spending that money.

<<So we have decided to make the hard choice, in the interest of taxpayers, sports fans, and commerce>>

etc, etc

[northernlights99]

There's no reason for this to turn into a soap opera, if its too complicated to put on a metal roof, then just reinforce the technical ring and leave a new roof off and have it as a Open Air stadium. Acoustics will be better for concerts and sports will be out in the fresh air.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by northernlights99

There's no reason for this to turn into a soap opera, if its too complicated to put on a metal roof, then just reinforce the technical ring and leave a new roof off and have it as a Open Air stadium. Acoustics will be better for concerts and sports will be out in the fresh air.

What sports? Als and CFM aren't moving there unless there is a roof for early/late season games. The stadium is twice as big as they need/want and has no modern amenities. So if there are no sports in the summer and no roof for winter events it's even worse than it is now.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Wanted to host the Olympics. Hence why Montreal was bidding as well.

Still something I have never heard about.

Hamilton in the 1960s and '70s was still going after more and more. After that, ambitions waned. And the 'Ambitious City' no longer deserved that label, though it was originally meant as an unflattering mark.