Over 700 tonnes of sand have been spread across the Gilles‑Villeneuve circuit at Parc Jean‑Drapeau in Montreal this month, turning the former motor‑race track into a beach volleyball venue for an upcoming tournament.
The massive sand haul arrived in August 2026 and was distributed across the 4.3‑kilometre circuit, creating multiple courts that meet international standards for the sport. City officials coordinated the delivery, using trucks to unload the material directly onto the paved surface before it was levelled and compacted.
The temporary arena is part of Montreal’s summer sports program, which seeks to repurpose existing public spaces for a variety of athletic events. By converting the racetrack, the city adds a high‑profile beach volleyball site without constructing a new facility, and the sand will be removed after the competition concludes.
Organisers of the Montreal beach volleyball tournament expect the venue to attract athletes and spectators from across the province and beyond. The event will run later this summer, with matches scheduled on the newly created courts that sit beside the St. Lawrence River.
The transformation also demonstrates the flexibility of Parc Jean‑Drapeau, which already hosts concerts, festivals and other sporting activities. After the tournament, the sand will be reclaimed for use in other municipal projects, according to city planners. The reclaimed sand is slated for use in road maintenance projects across the city.
The project underscores the municipality’s commitment to offering diverse recreational options during the warm season, leveraging existing infrastructure to support emerging sports. With more than 700 tonnes of sand now in place, the Gilles‑Villeneuve circuit is ready to host its first beach volleyball competition.