The Quebec and Montreal governments, along with the Alouettes football team, have announced more than $29 million for the expansion of the Percival Molson Stadium. The announcement comes just days after the city said it will have to reduce expenditures in its budget this year as it seeks to cut $155 million from its budget.
Expansion
The city of Montreal is chipping in $4 million. The provincial government is spending the bulk of the money, with a little more than $19 million. Another $6 million is coming from owner Robert Wetenhall and the Alouettes football team.
The expansion of the stadium, which buttresses Mount Royal, will expand the number of seats to 25,000 seats from 20,200 seats, and is expected to be completed by 2010. There will be 18 private boxes in addition to the extra seats.
The video board will become a permanent installation.
Construction is slated to start in November.
The team plays an average of nine games at home per season.
City cut backs
The city announced it is seeking to cut $155 million from its budget last Wednesday due to the economic downturn.
It has frozen the salaries of elected members of government, is seeking to reduce payroll by two per cent, and is seeking to reduce outside expenditures by 30 per cent.
Reactions
When asked by CTV Montreal at the press conference, the mayor said they can't stop everything because they are experiencing financial difficulties.
A small group of protestors, the Milton-Parc Citizen's committee protested outside of the announcement. They are concerned that public transit is not getting money, while the stadium is.
