La iconic glass observation tower La Spirale at La Ronde, which has been a beloved attraction for over five decades and welcomed more than 8 million riders, is set to be dismantled in the coming month. The decision to remove La Spirale was announced by La Ronde due to the ride reaching the end of its operational life, with the required restoration costs amounting to tens of millions of dollars and posing safety concerns.
Sophie Emond, the General Manager of La Ronde, expressed that while it was a challenging choice, there was no alternative but to retire La Spirale, which has been out of operation since 2018 due to technical issues and the lack of available replacement parts.
Originally constructed for Expo 67, an iconic world fair celebrating Canada’s centennial, La Spirale provided riders with a unique experience of slowly ascending to a height of 100 meters, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Montreal’s skyline, the river, and the surrounding grounds. The two-story glass gondola would rotate three times at its peak, providing riders with a floating perspective of the city.
With its 125-meter red mast towering over the Port of Montreal Tower, La Spirale has been a prominent feature of the park, serving as a symbol of Expo-era Montreal. However, following the dismantling of the ride, the space will be repurposed into a tranquil shaded area for park visitors to enjoy.
The closure of La Spirale marks the third Expo 67 ride to bid farewell at La Ronde, following the closures of La Pitoune log flume in 2017 and Le Minirail in 2022, underlining the evolving landscape of the amusement park.
