Legault keen on tennis stadium roof
François Legault is keen on the idea of spending millions on a roof for the Jarry Park stadium for an event that lasts one week in the year.
François Legault is keen on the idea of spending millions on a roof for the Jarry Park stadium for an event that lasts one week in the year.
CE 14:12 on 2019-08-12 Permalink
I went to a match last week. Having never been inside the stadium before I didn’t know what to expect but it was a nice, relaxing experience. Even though the match was delayed a bit because of some showers, I feel like a roof would have made it less of a summer experience. You get quite the view from there and I can’t imagine the stadium having the same ambiance if the matches were played under a roof.
But what I really don’t understand is why the government should have to help with this. The reason given for wanting a roof is that it will increase revenue from television. So shouldn’t the roof be able to pay for itself from this revenue? Is Soccer Canada going to pay the government back or share this increased revenue?
Jack 16:16 on 2019-08-12 Permalink
No, 70 Million dollars for swells to enjoy tennis for 5 days a year. I dont see a lot of kids swinging rackets in Park Ex or Villeray.
Tim S 20:20 on 2019-08-12 Permalink
Since we started signing our kid up for the Tennis Montreal lessons I’ve actually been surprised by the efforts they make to make tennis accessible. I think we paid something like 60$ for 8 weeks of lessons, 3 lessons a week, and as far as I can tell the families seem to be from a variety of social groups. Of course, it helps that I’m home in summer to take her, and part of the funding probably comes from donations that might have been better directed elsewhere, but still, pop into the indoor courts at the stade on a Saturday morning and you might be surprised. I was.
This doesn’t mean I think taxpayers should pay for the roof, mind.
JaneyB 11:44 on 2019-08-13 Permalink
@CE – I agree with you. The open stadium is an old-fashioned summer experience eg: the sights, the sounds, the temperature and yes, sometimes the rain. Also, why should the public purse subsidize a private company? Sometimes I think companies just float that ridiculous idea to see if it will work. Unfortunately, sometimes it does.
david100 14:07 on 2019-08-14 Permalink
If he’s looking for a legacy, he need look no further than the Ville Marie downtown, which he should cap.