While many Montrealers would like to take a bulldozer to it, a study commissioned by the "Régie des installations olympiques" wants to give the Olympic Stadium a heritage designation.
With the future of the Olympic Stadium still raising questions 40-years after its construction, the study's findings show the Olympic Park and the site on which the Stadium is built are heritage-worthy because of their historical, architectural, urban and emblematic values.
"This study serves as a framework for understanding our decisions regarding the maintenance of these facilities," said Michel Labrecque, President and CEO of Parc Olympique. "It is a guide that will enable us and our successors to give better meaning to short, medium and long-term planning in order to preserve the spirit of the place."
The study suggests Montrealers are ambivalent to the Olympic Stadium. However, the park and especially the Stadium and its tower have become tourist attractions and symbols of Montreal despite the controversy that surrounded their completion and budget.
The study was led by France Vanlaethem, professor emeritus at the School of Design at UQAM.
As an aside, the stadium hosts the World Gymnastics Championships next week, with 500 of the world's top gymnasts from 80 countries.
More information is available on the Parc Olympique website (French only).