Final Phase of the Place des Arts Hub Development Project

The Governments of Canada and Quebec and the City of Montreal Unveil the Esplanade Clark Concept

MONTREAL, April 30, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal, Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security, and Minister responsible for the Montreal area and David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, today unveiled the design concept for the future Esplanade Clark, to be located in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles. For this presentation, they were accompanied by Jacques Primeau, Chair of the Quartier des spectacles Board of Directors.

Complement to the Place des Festivals

Located to the west of Clark Street, between St. Catherine Street and De Maisonneuve Boulevard, Esplanade Clark will be a 5,000 m² public space. In the summer, it will serve as an urban terrace with user-friendly outdoor urban furniture and food stands. From November to March, it will be home to a refrigerated outdoor skating rink. The atmosphere of this public space— located at St. Lawrence / St. Catherine crossroad area—will differ from, yet complement, that of the Place des Festivals with a lively but intimate design. Urban furniture, with a focus on relaxation, will be created as part of a design competition.

West of the Esplanade, a multi-purpose pavilion will house a restaurant, an "urban chalet" with changing rooms and a leisure space, and multi-purpose rooms. To give the space a warm, user-friendly atmosphere, the architectural concept includes the use of wood for the structure and the interior of part of the building. In addition, there will be a grass-covered surface where mobile stages can be set up for various events. The project, which will cost $67.1 million, also involves rebuilding Clark Street, resurfacing to improve universal accessibility in the Place des Arts sector, and construction an access building to the Place des Festivals' underground mechanical room.

Quotes

"The future Esplanade Clark will become a welcoming and very lively meeting place, all year round. It will complete the development of the Place des Arts hub, a cultural sector that is already very vibrant and greatly appreciated by Montrealers and the many visitors to the city. There will be many great reasons to take advantage of this beautiful space in the heart of our city, together with family or friends. Depending on the season, it will be a place to take a minute to stop and relax, socialize, surf the Web, go skating, see a show or share a good meal. It will reflect the character of Montreal: a place that is always vibrant and alive."

Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal

"Since the very beginning, the Government of Quebec has been a key partner in the Quartier des spectacles project, which has taken shape in just a decade or so. Our support for this fourth phase of the work reflects our ongoing commitment to the cultural, tourism and economic development of our city and of Quebec."

Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security, and Minister responsible for the Montreal region

"Investing in Canada's cultural infrastructure is key to preserving memories of our past experiences and important places in this country's history, while encouraging visitors to explore and understand the world around them. The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize that strategic investment in public infrastructure, such as funding for cultural projects like the Quartier des spectacles, helps build vibrant communities, while creating jobs that help grow the middle class."

David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and MP for Lasalle‑Émard-Verdun, on behalf of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi

"This commitment by the City of Montreal reflects the determination of public authorities to make the Quartier des spectacles one of the city's must-see destinations. Because of its multi-purpose and versatile nature, the Esplanade Clark will be able to host activities throughout the year. In the winter, the skating rink will allow people to get out and enjoy the cold weather, and will attract new visitors. With its user-friendly design suited to cultural events, this new space will revitalize the summer festival experience for audiences."

Jacques Primeau, Chair of the Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles Board of Directors

The creation of Esplanade Clark completes a string of developments in recent years associated with the Place des Arts hub which began in 2008 . These include the Place des Festivals, the Promenade des Artistes and the Parterre. The building of Esplanade Clark will be carried out under the Building Canada Fund−Quebec, Major Projects Component, and will extend from the fall of 2017 until late fall 2019.

Related links

To learn more about the Major Infrastructure component of the Building Canada Fund, go to http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/bcf-fcc-eng.html.

For more information on the Building Canada Fund–Quebec Program, go to http://www.mamot.gouv.qc.ca/infrastructures/programmes-daide-financiere/fonds-chantiers-canada-quebec-fccq/

To find out more about Esplanade Clark, click here; for an illustration, click here.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

Sources: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149; Marie-Ève Pelletier, Director of Communications and Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Montreal Region, 418-691-2050; Noémie Brière-Marquez, Press Secretary, Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee, City of Montreal, 514-243-1268; Information: Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected], Twitter: @INFC_fra, Website: Infrastructure Canada; Pierre-Luc Lévesque, Communications Directorate, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, and Ministry of Public Security, 418-691-2015, extension 3746