Montreal’s ‘Big Owe’ to go up in lights

MONTREAL – The Olympic Park wants to shine a light on what some consider the city’s biggest white elephant.

The Montreal Tower hangs at a 45 degree angle above the Olympic Stadium and has affectionately been called “The Big Owe” after taxpayers paid $770 million to build it.

“It’s a money waster,” one Montrealer told Global News.

“Something that remains of the past ambitions of the city,” said another.

Officials would like to change the perception that it is an antiquated expensive waste of space and they’re hoping that in a few months time, visitors will see the stadium in a better light.

The CEO of the Olympic Park acknowledges that it has an image problem and that many Montrealers have view it in a negative light – but he sees it differently.

“The stadium and the tower are an international symbol for our city,” said David Heurtel. “It’s our Eiffel Tower or Empire State Building.”

Global News compares the high – and low – lights of the two iconic towers. Take a look here. 

He is determined to flip the script on how the park is perceived, starting with a $5 million project that will see the Olympic Tower up in lights.

On special occasions, like St. Patrick’s Day or when the Habs win a game, the tower will be lit up – and the plans don’t stop there.

“We’re looking at a restaurant and in the observatory, interactive technology,” said Heurtel.

The announcement comes as the stadium is in the throes of considerable construction woes. Many Montrealers were hoping that the stadium would one day soon get a new roof. In 1999, the previous one famously collapsed – but the estimated costs are high for that at $300 million.

Gallery: Is the Olympic Stadium falling apart? Take a look here. 

“People forget that the stadium gets 4 million visitors a year – it’s a major tourist draw,” Heurtel noted.

But the question after years of problems and millions of dollars is whether “The Big Owe” will finally make money?

Claude Montmarquette, an analyst from the Center for Interuniversity Research and Analysis of Organizations (CIRANO) is sceptical: “It will always lose money . . . let’s be frank about it.”

Still, Montmarquette acknowledged that it’s better to put the money into the renovations because tearing it down would cost more at $700 million dollars.

Not to mention the fact that with a roof, the stadium could host 40 major events a year instead of the 15 it currently does.

“Right now the fiscal situation in Quebec is not one that will support this project,” Montmarquette said.

As for the lights, workers will start putting lights up in the spring and the project will be finished by the end of the year.