The Big-O

EvilGentleman: 2nd Aug 2007 - 20:24 GMT

The Olympic Stadium is one of the most beautiful of Montreal's vast collection of White Elephants. Originally expected to cost 134 million dollars, it wound up costing 1.61 billion dollars, or about 1200% of its original budget.

Interesting moments in the stadium's life, as swiped from the wiki article Olympic Stadium (Montreal)
- 1976 - central stadium of the Montreal Olympics. Only half-finished at the time.
- 1977 - Was poorly set up for a Pink Floyd concert, causing Roger Waters to spit on a fan, and swear at others who had set off fireworks. David Gilmour walked off the stage in disgust. This separation of fans and band at this particular concert inspired The Wall.
- 1988 - Tower and retractable roof finally in place, 12 years after the close of the Olympics. Roof is prone to tearing in winds.
- 1991 - a 55 ton concrete slab collapses in the stadium.
- 1992 - Retractable roof replaced with permanent roof.
- 1992 - Metallica and Guns 'n Roses play to a packed house. Metallica singer James Hetfield gets his arm badly burned by pyrotechnics during the first part of the show. Then Guns 'n Roses come on stage, but Axl Rose storms off because the sound was not set up the way he felt it should be. The ensuing riot injures dozens, and disappoints millions.
- 1999 - Roof collapses, but subsequntly repaired.
- 2006 - Fire marshall closes stadium for winter, due to worries about the roof and snow.
- 2006 - New roof considered once again.
- 2006 - Stadium finally paid for, 30 years after the Olympics.

But no matter how much of a waste you may think this stadium is, it was a bargain compared to the "new" Montreal airport at Mirabel.
Montréal-Mirabel International Airport

Cinic: 2nd Aug 2007 - 20:53 GMT

He he, thanks EG, ahhhh, the big-o, mirabel, now the new metro, oh ya not to mention acadie interchange, falling overpasses in laval, even with all its problems I still love you Montreal!

EvilGentleman: 2nd Aug 2007 - 23:34 GMT

I agree. I love no other city more than Montreal, despite its many flaws. Although Chicago is a pretty close second place in my heart, followed by The Big Apple.

Cinic: 3rd Aug 2007 - 13:45 GMT

Chicago! That is one city I want to see. Looks beautiful. I think if I could speak Dutch, Amsterdam might be tied with Montreal.