The emphyteutic lease, for an initial 40-year term, plans for construction of a 13,000-seat soccer stadium on the corner of Sherbrooke and Viau Streets. The Saputo Stadium will be able to accommodate up to 17,000 seats when needed, and will not only be the site of all Impact home games but will also welcome other soccer events, whether on a regional, provincial, national or international level. Upon termination of the lease, the facilities will be handed over to the RIO.
“We are very pleased with this agreement, which is not only great news for the Impact, but for all soccer fans in Quebec”, declared the Montreal Impact President Joey Saputo. “Since discussions first began, the RIO demonstrated their openness towards this project. I’d like to thank RIO management as well as Françoise Gauthier, the Minister of Tourism, for their support and collaboration throughout the process.”
For his part, Mr. Gilles Lépine, President of the RIO, recalled the organization’s mission to ensure development of the Olympic Park is complementary to the existing facilities. “In relinquishing part of our grounds, we are welcoming the presence of other sports teams to our area. We are proud of this agreement and excited about the future Saputo soccer complex. It surely will become a gathering spot for all soccer enthusiasts.”
The new complex, specifically designed for soccer, will be managed by a non-profit organization. In its first stage it will consist of the Saputo Stadium and a training field.
Construction of the project is estimated at $15 million, and will be entirely privately funded. Half of the amount, $7.5 million, will be advanced by the Saputo family in the form of a personal donation.
Mr. Saputo and his group will continue to work closely with the RIO to finalize plans of the new facilities and draw up a precise timeline for construction.
The Impact played in front of a total of 161,762 fans during the 2006 regular season, for an average of 11,554 spectators at every home game.
The Impact kick off their final season at the Claude-Robillard Centre on May 20, 2007, marking the club’s 14th home opener in team history.
Soccer fans will get their fill this year with nine FIFA World Cup U-20 matches coming to the Olympic Stadium starting on June 30.
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Information
Patrick Vallée
Montreal Impact
514 328-3668, Ext. 27
Sylvie Bastien
Olympic Park
514 252-4605
