The roof of the Montreal Olympic Stadium has almost finished being dismantled but the planned budget does not include the costs of replacing the mechanical and electrical systems which are taking place “in parallel” and which could increase the bill.
During the site update on Tuesday, the Olympic Park team was pleased with the progress of the site.
“We respect deadlines, we respect budgets,” said Nadir Guenfoud, vice-president, modernization and replacement of the roof of the Olympic Stadium at the Olympic Park.
The stadium grounds are now exposed. Only a few cables remain that held the Birdaird roof, the third to date and at the end of its useful life, with more than 27,000 tears to its credit.
“Parallel” work
The dismantling would have cost around 20% of the budget planned for the $870M bill announced last year according to Mr. Guenfoud, who did not provide more precise figures.
When announcing the costs of replacing the roof, Quebec had not taken into account essential equipment such as the replacement of mechanical and electrical systems, our Bureau of Investigation revealed this spring.
This upgrade is taking place “in parallel”, explained Mr. Guenfoud in the press scrum.
“There are tenders that have already been issued for mechanical and electrical ventilation systems. We are planning other calls for tenders in the coming years.”
Make way for the new roof
The stadium roof replacement project is expected to last another three years.
From January, workers will dismantle the 38 sections of the technical ring to replace it with the new steel ring.
The manufacturing, assembly and installation of the new, “more robust” rigid roof will take place in 2026-2027, with a view to reopening the stadium in 2028.
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