Montréal Olympic Park Heritage Study –
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Montréal Olympic Park Heritage Study – Updated and expanded edition ISBN 978-2-9807921-9-9 Docomomo Québec Acknowledgements A non-profit association dedicated to providing knowledge Many people were involved in the research and preparation about and preserving innovative 20th century architecture of this study. We would especially like to thank: in Québec, Docomomo Québec is one of the 69 chapters of Docomomo International, a non-governmental organization • Hélène Barrette, Communications Advisor, RIO, founded in the Netherlands in 1988 to document and • Janis Lucas, Document Management Coordinator, RIO, preserve modern architecture. The secretariat of Docomomo • Mélanie Borgognon, Attorney, RIO, Québec is located in the Pavillon de design at UQAM, with • Mario Robert, Head Archivist, and Gilles Lafontaine, which the association has a partnership agreement. Division de la gestion des documents et des archives et de l'accès à l'information, Direction du greffe, Docomomo Québec City of Montréal, Université du Québec à Montréal • Michel Lemire, Document Management and Archives Case postale 8888, succursale Centre-ville Technician, Direction générale adjointe à la qualité de Montréal, Québec, H3C 3P8 vie, Service des grands parcs, du verdissement et du mont Royal, City of Montréal. Compiled and written by France Vanlaethem Lastly, we would like to thank the CEO of the Olympic Park, (Chapter 5 in collaboration with Soraya Bassil) Michel Labrecque, for giving us full access to the Olympic [email protected] Park and for his constant support throughout our work. Research This English edition is the translation of the updated and Soraya Bassil expanded edition of Étude patrimoniale du Parc olympique Ulisses Munarim de Montréal published in May, 2019. Bessam Fallah (until April 2015) France Vanlaethem, Director of Research Jordane Zakrzewski (in 2018) Collaboration Hélène Barrette Design and production Maud La Rue Translation Versacom Cover page Upper corridor to access the spectator stands (level 400) of the Olympic Stadium. Olivier Blouin, photographer Legal Deposit – 2019 Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec Library and Archives of Canada ISBN 978-2-9807921-8-2 (printed) (Original publishing: ISBN 978-2-9807921-6-8, Docomomo Québec, Montreal) ISBN 978-2-9807921-9-9 (PDF) (Original publishing: ISBN 978-2-9807921-7-5, Docomomo Québec, Montreal) This study is available in PDF format on the BAnQ portal at banq.qc.ca. © Docomomo Québec, 2019 Montréal Olympic Park Heritage Study – Updated and expanded edition Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec and Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Title Montréal Olympic Park Heritage Study: Updated and expanded edition Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-2-9807921-8-2 (printed) (Original publishing: ISBN 978-2-9807921-6-8, Docomomo Québec, Montreal) ISBN 978-2-9807921-9-9 (PDF) (Original publishing: ISBN 978-2-9807921-7-5, Docomomo Québec, Montreal) 1. Olympic Park (Montréal, Québec). 2. Olympic Games - Structures - Conservation and Restoration - Québec (Province) - Montréal. 3. Olympic Games - Structures - Québec (Province) - Montréal - History. I. Vanlaethem, France. II. Bassil, Soraya, 1974- . III. Munarim, Ulisses, 1979-. IV. Docomomo Québec. May 15, 2019 Michel Labrecque Chief Executive Officer Régie des installations olympiques 4141 Avenue Pierre-De Coubertin Montréal, Québec H1V 3N7 Dear Mr. Labrecque: Enclosed please find the second edition of the Montréal Olympic Park Heritage Study. This new publication was inspired by the reflections prompted by the first edition produced as part of the 40th anniversary of the Montréal Olympic Games, particularly concerning the urban insertion of the facilities. Following the new research we conducted at your request on the Quartier olympique and on the La Joute fountain-sculpture, an artwork by Jean Paul Riopelle initially installed on the site during the Games, we have updated and expanded the first edition taking into account the key events that occurred since 2016. The main modification is the addition of a chapter on the history of Maisonneuve Park and its neighbourhood. This led to a revision of Chapter 1, “Montréal, ville olympique,” which briefly covered this topic, as well as to the chapter on the organizers of the Montréal Olympic Games to whom we devoted another chapter in order to preserve content logic. This heritage study, conducted according to the values-based approach, is the result of thorough research. Its methodological framework is described in the introduction. Nine chapters are devoted to the events leading up to the 1976 Summer Olympics, starting in the mid-19th century and an event in Montréal that contributed to the revival of the Olympic Games, followed by the development of the Olympic Park. Also discussed are the Park’s completion and modifications made in response to contemporary issues and its reception by the academic community and the public. These historical considerations are synthesized in the Olympic Park statement of heritage value formulated based on our work, which has been expanded in this edition by a list of the Park’s character-defining elements. Readers curious and eager to discover the heritage interest of the Park can jump to Chapter 12. We thank you for your confidence in the Docomomo Québec team. Sincerely, France Vanlaethem, Professor Emeritus, UQAM Chair, Docomomo Québec École de design Université du Québec à Montréal Case postale 8888 Succursale Centre-Ville Montréal (Québec) H3C 3P8 t 514 987 3000 #3866 f 514 987 7717 e [email protected] “ Only time, and time alone, will show whether our values were sound. ” Roger Taillibert, Construire l’avenir 1977. Docomomo Québec | Montréal Olympic Park Heritage Study 1. Introduction – 6 – Background and purpose – Methodology – Challenges – Research team and collaborations – Forty years later 2. Identification and Description of the Complex – 14 – Identifying information – Protection status – Description 3. Montréal, Olympic City – 18 – The Olympic Movement – The first Olympic bids – Sports facilities in Montréal – The winning bid 4. Maisonneuve Park – 28 – Colonizing Montréal Island – The urbanization of Maisonneuve – Maisonneuve, “Montréal’s garden” – Development of Maisonneuve Park – The Cité-Jardin du Tricentenaire – Centre sportif de l'Est 5. A Brief History of Olympic Facilities – 38 – The “modern Olympia” – Architecture and the Olympic Games – The Olympics, an urban issue – The architecture of great stadiums 6. The Organizers of the Montréal Olympic Games – 46 – The State’s role – The Olympics Organizing Committee – Choosing the architect – Roger Taillibert in Montréal 7. The Architect of the Montréal Olympic Games – 54 – An architect's training – Early projects – A versatile international agency – Museums showcase Taillibert’s talent 4 Docomomo Québec | Montréal Olympic Park Heritage Study 8. The Facilities from Start to Finish – 66 – The facilities program – The urban concept of the Olympic Park – The master plan of the complex – The architectural concept of the Olympic Park – The technical concept of the Olympic Park – The professionals involved in the project – Construction of the complex – The Stadium rings with applause 9. Integrating Art Into the Summer Olympic Games – 84 – “Remarriage of muscle and intellect” – La Joute, the fountain-sculpture – Urban furniture – The Games' logo and brand image 10. Completion and Use of the Olympic Stadium – 90 – After the Games – Completion of the facilities – A multipurpose site and a new roof – Renovation and densification of the Olympic Park 11. The Reception to the Montréal Olympic Stadium – 102 – The Canadian architectural press – The international architectural press – The daily press before the Games – The daily press after the Games – Quebecers make the Olympic Park their own – The Stadium: a controversial icon 12. Heritage Value of the Olympic Park – 115 – Historical value – Architectural value – Urban value – Iconic value – Integrity and authenticity – Character-defining elements 13. Bibliography – 129 14. Credits and Figures – 145 15. Appendices – 146 – Program – International Conference | May 12, 2016 – Program – Study Day | September 27, 2017 – The Olympic Park in Figures 5 Docomomo Québec | Montréal Olympic Park Heritage Study 1. Introduction – This publication is the second updated and expanded edition of the Étude patrimoniale du Parc olympique de Montréal drafted by Docomomo Québec in 2016 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Montréal Olympic Games, at the request of the Régie des installations olympiques (RIO) [Olympic Installations Board]. Located in Montréal east, five kilometres from downtown, in the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, the Olympic Park is bounded by Pie-IX Boulevard, Sherbrooke Street, Viau Street and Pierre-De Coubertin Avenue. Covering 4 hectares, this location is home to various sports and cultural facilities managed by different public and private entities. RIO is responsible for the Olympic Stadium, the Sports Centre housed under the Montréal Tower and the vast underground parking surrounding these facilities and whose stepped flat roof forms the Esplanade. To the east of the Park are the former Olympic Velodrome, now Biodôme de Montréal, the Centre Pierre-Charbonneau, the Maurice-Richard Arena and the Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan, all properties of the City of Montréal, as well as the Viau metro station operated by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and the Stade Saputo, named after its owner,