The City of Montreal broke out its chequebook Wednesday, approving two contracts worth $17 million to bring Formula E to downtown streets this summer.
The first race of its kind in Montreal, the Formula E is meant to be one of the marquee events of the 375th anniversary celebrations next summer, but the event is drawing criticism from the opposition.
Mayor Denis Coderre has been advocating for the cutting-edge Formula E and its electric cars zooming through the city's Gay Village and the outskirts of Old Montreal at speeds up to 220 km/h.
The world-class event is held in nine other cities, including London, Paris and Mexico City.
The race won’t come cheap: the two contracts approved Wednesday are for concrete and metal barriers along the track and for fences
The fence contract is for six years, even though Montreal only has the race guaranteed for next year.
The opposition is worried that bill will only grow. Projet Montreal Leader Valerie Plante said these costs are just the start, because there's still security for the event, a garage for the cars, and footbridges for residents to their homes.
Under the terms of the agreement, Montreal will also improve the streets that will be used as the race track, spending $4.5 million to do so.
Plante said Formula E isn't fully priced out yet and the mayor should be telling Montrealers up front about the total cost, rather than announcing it bit by bit.
The race takes place the weekend of July 29 and 30, 2017.
