The former canvas covering that once draped Montreal’s Olympic Stadium has been largely shredded, with a small fraction—about 15 percent—set aside for reuse projects, officials confirmed on Friday morning.
The removal forms part of a broader programme to renovate and repurpose the aging venue. The iconic fabric, installed for the 1976 Games, has been taken down in stages over recent months as work progresses on the stadium’s structural and aesthetic upgrades.
City representatives overseeing the renovation said the decision to shred the majority of the material was driven by its condition after decades of exposure to the elements. The remaining portion will be preserved for future applications, although specific details of the intended projects have not been disclosed.
The process of dismantling the fabric was carried out by contracted workers following safety and environmental guidelines. The shredded material will be disposed of in accordance with municipal waste management protocols, while the retained 15 percent will be stored for later use.
The stadium’s ongoing transformation aims to extend its functional lifespan and adapt the facility for a variety of events beyond its original sporting purpose. The removal of the canvas is one of several steps intended to modernise the complex while retaining elements of its historic character.
Stakeholders noted that the retained fabric segment could support community or artistic initiatives, reflecting a broader trend of repurposing legacy materials from large‑scale venues. No further statements were provided regarding timelines for the next phases of the renovation.
The work on the Olympic Stadium continues under the city’s long‑term plan to revitalize the site, with additional upgrades to seating, lighting and accessibility scheduled for later in the year.