“Following our discussions with the Régie des installations olympiques (Olympic Installations Board), and looking at the feasibility of the project with them over the past few months, my family and I have decided that Olympic Park represents the best option for the future of soccer in Montreal and Quebec,” said Joey Saputo.
Originally slated to begin construction in the Technoparc in March of 2006, the project was put on hold after the RIO offered to host the new complex.
The soccer-specific complex, which will include Saputo Stadium as well as training facilities, will be the new home of the Montreal Impact. The team, which is currently playing its 13th season at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, attracted a club-record average of 11,176 fans per home game last year.
Transferring the project to Olympic Park proved to be the most advantageous option because of several key factors, such as accessibility, parking and the overall vocation of the project, Mr. Saputo explained.
“We are building a soccer complex which we want to be accessible to soccer enthusiasts in Montreal and Quebec,” pointed out Mr. Saputo. “But we also want this facility to be a tribute to soccer for future generations. The Olympic Park fits in well with our philosophy of leaving a soccer legacy to the community and with the sports vocation of the overall site.”
Mr. Saputo and his group will now continue their work with the RIO in order to finalize the plans for the new facility, as well as to put forth a precise timeline for construction. To that effect, discussions are underway with the City of Montreal, including the Mercier – Hochelaga-Maisonneuve Borough, which will be called upon to approve the project. As part of that process, the project will be the object of public hearings this fall.
“We have received outstanding support from the RIO, the City of Montreal and the borough in this project and our intention is to continue to work with them to make sure we follow all procedures,” said Saputo. “In the end, we will work with the community so that we build a facility we can all be proud of.”
While construction may begin as early as this fall, Mr. Saputo has ruled out the possibility of hosting Montreal’s share of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2007 games next year at the new complex. Montreal is one of six Canadian host cities for the event, which will take place in July of 2007.
“We have to be realistic in our approach and we want to take the time to do this right,” said Mr. Saputo.
The Quebec government, Saputo and Hydro-Québec are all founding partners of the Montreal Impact, which was re-launched in 2002 as a non-profit organization.
As originally announced on May 4, 2005, the new soccer complex will be entirely financed through private funds, at a cost of $15 million, and the Saputo family will contribute $7.5 million to the project through a private donation. The new complex will also be managed by a non-profit organization.
The Montreal Impact will play its next game Friday, July 7 at 8:00 pm at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
