New roof or demolition? Debate surrounding the Big O continues
There was still a lot of reaction one day after Quebec announced it was planning to spend $870 million for a new roof and technical ring at the Olympic Stadium.
The decision to renovate is being applauded by many.
"They decide to take a decision, and I have to say thank you for that. That needs some guts," said PQ MNA Pascal Bérubé on Tuesday.
"It's still a symbol of Montreal and of Quebec, so I think it's the least worse decision that has been taken," Quebec Solidaire co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois said.
Not everyone is happy with the project.
"The moment that they start trying to justify it on economic grounds and that this is a good sound business decision, merely just highlights exactly why that thing is called the Big O and not as a sign of endearment," said Moshe Lander, an economics professor at Concordia University.
"It's a joke and they're merely playing into that joke."
The province said there are economic benefits to doing the work, but Lander doesn't buy it. He said the stadium won't have a full-time tenant like a sports team.
"The moment they put dollar one in, that's the end of the Expos because there's no way that Montreal is going to have two 50,000 seats, stadiums 10 kilometres away from each other in the Peel Basin and out there and try and maintain both of those," Lander said.
The East End Chamber of Commerce says the Big O's roof was hurting economic development.
"There would be no promoter that is interested to come when we tell them that within a five-day period, if there is three centimetres of snow, we will cancel your events," said Jean-Denis Charest, president of the East End Chamber of Commerce.
Lander said Quebec should demolish the stadium and fill the space with housing. Officials say demolition would be a delicate process with the Metro tunnel below the stadium. It would also cost $2 billion.
"The thing that they're saying is impeding the ability to knock down the stadium could be actually be a main attraction, which is you've got a Metro station directly underneath there," Lander said.
"Imagine being able to put 5,000 units of housing on that space and connecting it to the Metro underneath."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
The Indian couple killed in a wrong-way police chase crash on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.