Montreal's Olympic Stadium debt finally paid off

[junctionist]

Could Montreal host the summer games again to put it to good use? Former hosts are often able to host subsequent Olympics relatively economically.

 

[AlbertC]

 

[SubHuman]

That's just about replacing the roof.
The last time I was there (forgotten the exact year, about 15 or so years ago) the inside of the stadium was very outdated. It was a 1970s style multi-purpose concrete ring that made SkyDome's seating arrangement look good by comparison.
https://en.cfmontreal.com/news/bleu-blanc-noir-mosaic-wednesday-night
Since there appears to be little to no hope for the return of Major League Baseball, the best idea would probably be to rebuild the seating, or at least the lower level, to be more appropriate for a soccer and CFL configuration.

 

[jje1000]

That's just about replacing the roof.
The last time I was there (forgotten the exact year, about 15 or so years ago) the inside of the stadium was very outdated. It was a 1970s style multi-purpose concrete ring that made SkyDome's seating arrangement look good by comparison.
https://en.cfmontreal.com/news/bleu-blanc-noir-mosaic-wednesday-night
Since there appears to be little to no hope for the return of Major League Baseball, the best idea would probably be to rebuild the seating, or at least the lower level, to be more appropriate for a soccer and CFL configuration.

But they already have Molson and Saputo Stadium right? I think the issue is that there simply is no real purpose for the Olympic Stadium beyond being an oversized event venue. As it's now always indoors the atmosphere will always be gloomy.

As a thought exercise I sort of wonder if it's possible to build a free-standing arena within the existing structure? Or perhaps they might do something like the Astrodome plans and remove all the seating and make it into a mixed-used structure?

https://www.archpaper.com/2024/11/gensler-unveils-redevelopment-plan-houston-astrodome/

 

[SubHuman]

But they already have Molson and Saputo Stadium right? I think the issue is that there simply is no real purpose for the Olympic Stadium beyond being an oversized event venue. As it's now always indoors the atmosphere will always be gloomy...

Supposedly the new roof "will feature a transparent base to allow natural light in", so slightly less gloomy for events during daytime. And most are at night anyway.
As before, it could be used for CFL, MLS, and national team soccer matches from November through April, or any time of year for stadium concerts and games expected to draw a larger crowd than those two smaller outdoor stadiums.

As a thought exercise I sort of wonder if it's possible to build a free-standing arena within the existing structure?..

That would be like the O2 Arena in London, built under the Millennium Dome.