Montreal baseball fans are getting excited after hearing architecture firm Provencher Roy has created a series of designs for a potential stadium downtown.
The designs were commissioned by Montreal businessman Stephen Bronfman.
The firm is working on two different models, after Bronfman rejected the initial design; one has a permanent roof and the other doesn’t have one at all.
Analysts explain the stadium models are a sign that Bronfman is pushing hard to bring the Expos back to Montreal.
“The fact that Provencher has been approached to put these plans together…shows us that the work is being done behind closed doors,” 98.5 FM sports analyst Jérémy Filosa said.
“We’ve heard all kinds of rumours: ‘yeah, people are working, they’re going in the right direction.’ Now, we see something concrete.”
Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said last year that Montreal and Mexico City were his two personal frontrunners for a baseball expansion.
READ MORE: Montreal baseball investors have met MLB conditions: source
Montreal Mayor and self-proclaimed Expos fan, Denis Coderre, has been pushing to bring the team back — 13 years after they played their last game at the Olympic Stadium.
This August, he offered to host a Major League game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at the Big O as Hurricane Irma ravaged Florida.
READ MORE: MLB politely refuses Montreal’s offer to host games as Hurricane Irma nears Florida
The dream of bringing a Major League Baseball team back to the city has been incorporated in the city’s 375th celebrations with an exhibition of team gear and memorabilia at City Hall.
READ MORE: Baseball exhibit opens in Montreal City Hall
The recent induction of Expos great Tim Raines into the baseball Hall of Fame also added to the excitement around the idea of bringing the team home.
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