More than 700 tonnes of sand were spread across the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on August 12, 2026, as officials prepared the former Formula One venue for an upcoming beach volleyball tournament in Montreal.
The massive load of sand was dumped onto the racing surface on Île Notre‑Dame, part of Parc Jean‑Drapeau, transforming the asphalt track into a temporary volleyball arena. Workers moved the material onto the circuit in a single operation, covering the grandstands and pit lane with a thick layer suitable for competition. The operation was recorded at 15:24 EDT, marking the official start of the venue conversion.
The conversion follows a plan to repurpose the historic motorsport facility for the city’s summer sports program. By turning the circuit into a sand court, organizers aim to provide a high‑profile setting for athletes and spectators while making use of the island’s existing infrastructure.
The beach volleyball event, scheduled later this summer, will be the first major tournament to be held on the island’s iconic track. The sand‑filled venue is expected to attract participants from across the region and to showcase Montreal’s ability to adapt existing venues for diverse sporting uses.
The undertaking required coordination between municipal crews and event planners to ensure the sand was spread evenly and that the temporary surface met competition standards. Once the tournament concludes, the sand will be removed and the circuit will be restored to its traditional racing configuration for future motorsport events.
The project highlights the flexibility of Parc Jean‑Drapeau’s facilities, demonstrating how a single location can host both high‑speed auto races and a sand‑based Olympic‑style sport within the same season.