Over the weekend, a large group of Montreal residents gathered to protest the proposed expansion of the tennis stadium at Jarry Park.
Local residents and community groups are worried that the project will lead to the loss of green spaces in their neighborhood. The plan, announced by Tennis Canada in June, aims to enhance the IGA Stadium by increasing its capacity to 15,000 seats and constructing a retractable roof. The organization believes these upgrades are necessary to continue hosting professional tours.
The multi-million dollar project will also include the addition of up to four practice courts and a main match court, as revealed by Tennis Canada’s vice-president of professional events, Valérie Tétreault.
In response to the proposed expansion, residents have raised concerns about the potential loss of mature trees and communal areas in the borough. The opposition has even taken a digital approach, with a viral rap video titled “The park belongs to us” making waves on social media platforms.
During the demonstration on Sunday, protestors carried signs criticizing Tennis Canada as they paraded through the streets of the Park Extension neighborhood. Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension Mayor Jean François Lalonde has voiced his opposition to the stadium expansion but expressed support for modernizing the facility.
Lalonde emphasized the significance of Jarry Park in the community, stating on a Facebook post, “Jarry Park occupies an important place in the life of our borough.”
A spokesperson for Tennis Canada, Marc-Antoine Farly, responded to the backlash, mentioning that the project is still in its early stages, with ongoing consultations. Farly acknowledged the importance of public demonstrations and assured the community that their concerns would be taken into consideration to develop the best possible project for everyone’s benefit.
