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
Most wanted fugitive in Canada arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The most wanted fugitive in Canada was arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Tuesday night.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Harvey Weinstein appears in court after his New York rape conviction was overturned
Harvey Weinstein was back in a New York courtroom Wednesday for his first appearance since an appeals court last week overturned his 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.
Dental care program starts accepting claims for 1 million seniors
The first seniors to register with the new federal dental care plan can now start submitting claims.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse
Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.