Unlike many of their contemporaries, CF Montreal and the Montreal Alouettes do not share a stadium. A reality that will not change in the near future.
Last Friday, during the press conference that formalized the purchase of the Alouettes by Pierre Karl Péladeau, the latter was called upon to comment on several issues. One of the most pressing issues for the Sparrows is to equip themselves with a modern stadium worthy of CFL activities. The club has played at the Percival-Molson stadium since 1997, but the enclosure was created in 1915.
“It’s not the most modern. It is certainly one of the oldest,” noted Mr. Péladeau regarding the Percival-Molson stadium.
When the businessman was asked if he might see a new stadium with CF Montreal as a roommate, he replied that “it’s not impossible. If it were possible to do so, we would do so with great enthusiasm”.
He tempered by mentioning that it was however “premature” to discuss the possibility of this project, but still to have “a lot of esteem for Joey Saputo and his family”.
If the question was asked to Mr. Péladeau, it is because it is practically a formality in Canada to see the formations of the CFL sharing their stadium with a professional soccer team. In fact, the other two Canadian MLS clubs and three Canadian Premier League teams share a stadium with a CFL team.
Of the four remaining CFL teams, three of them do not have a professional soccer team playing in their city. The only organization that is an exception to the rule is that of Montreal.
A not optimal position for the CFM
For its part, the CFM has been playing at Saputo Stadium since its opening in 2008. However, despite the fact that the stadium is owned by Groupe Saputo, it was built on land belonging to the Régie des installations Olympiques (RIO), ceded by emphyteutic lease for a period of forty years.
In theory, for the next 25 years, the tenant — in this case, the CFM — must pay annual and other taxes. So any improvement at Saputo Stadium would be synonymous with a tax increase.
At the beginning of March, the president of the CFM, Gabriel Gervais, revealed to BPM Sports that the Montreal club was planning, in particular, to build a new stadium. A marriage between the Alouettes and the CFM therefore seemed likely.
Tuesday evening during the launch of the CFM season, Mr. Gervais also said that he would “listen to all possibilities for a partnership of this kind”. He then also calmed things down.
We thank Mr. Péladeau for his comments and we will assess the situation when it arises. But for now it’s premature to talk regarding a common stadium between CF Montreal and the Alouettes. We haven’t gotten there.
Gabriel Gervais, President of CF Montreal
There is therefore nothing concrete regarding the idea of a common stadium for the two clubs. But with two parts open, it is possible that it will go a long way.
