A retractable roof could transform the stadium into a multi-functional venue instead of a one-sport courtGETTY IMAGES
Tennis Canada is "pushing forward with plans" to add a retractable roof to Uniprix Stadium in Montreal, according to CTV NEWS. The NGB wants "all levels of government to help finance" the C$70M project, saying that rain delays during big tournaments like the Rogers Cup "costs them in television revenue." Tennis Canada said that the stadium is "underused and that putting on a roof would allow it to be accessed for three seasons instead of one." Tennis Canada Senior VP Eugene Lapierre said, "The Grand Slam events are going with roofs. Masters events -- there's one in Beijing, there's one in Madrid, one planned in Rome. So we're trying to follow.” Tennis Canada "will be lobbying the municipal, provincial and federal governments to get it done." But for many, the "idea of a retractable roof brings back memories of the troubled Olympic Stadium." Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation Quebec Dir Carl Vallee said, "We've been burned before, and burned really bad. I think there's a natural skepticism to look at these projects and wonder if they're even going to respect the budget in the first place." The hope is the roof would "transform Uniprix Stadium into a multi-functional venue instead of a one-sport court" (CTVNEWS.ca, 2/27).
