Parc Jean-Drapeau - Reopening of the Aquatic Complex and release of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve summer schedule

MONTRÉAL, April 10, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - With the arrival of spring comes the return of Parc Jean-Drapeau's hallmark activities. Visitors of the Parc can expect a diverse cultural and sports program this summer, with a wide array of music concerts, sporting events and exhibitions at the Stewart Museum and the Biosphere, Environment Museum.  Not to mention sunbathing at Jean-Doré Beach and the Aquatic Complex, bike riding on Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and entertaining outings at the Casino de Montréal and La Ronde, where people of all ages are invited to come and enjoy the summer season at the Parc.

Reopening of the Aquatic Complex

This summer, as announced by the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau (SPJD) in 2017, the Aquatic Complex's three swimming pools will again be accessible to the public and athletes, as of May 19. Now that the major excavation work conducted alongside the pools is finished, bathing, swimming and diving enthusiasts will be able to come for a refreshing dip and have fun in the water, while enjoying the recent renovations of the Aquatic Complex. 

In an effort to make it even more comfortable for users, new areas of shade where people can cool off will be set up between the pools. The installation of triangular stretched shade sails will provide swimmers with protection from the sun. The shady areas will also have vegetation with the addition of potted flowers and shrubs, creating a friendly ambiance and tropical setting.    

Inside the Aquatic Complex, the steel lockers in the men's and women's changing rooms will be totally replaced by new lockers made of sturdier and more durable materials (HDPE plastic – recycled materials), which meet hygiene standards.  

Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve's Summer Schedule

Through the coordination efforts of Parc Jean-Drapeau's staff and its promoters, Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve will be open to sports enthusiasts on 151 out of 219 days this summer. It should be noted that the major summer events at Parc Jean-Drapeau have been moved to the alternate site on Île Notre-Dame, because of the construction work being done in the south sector of Île Sainte-Hélène as part of the Enhancement and Development plan (PAMV).  As it was in 2017, the transferring of these events forces the SPJD to implement certain measures to ensure the safety of users of its facilities, and one of the measures is the occasional closure of the Circuit during the summer. Cyclists, walkers and inline skaters will be pleased to note, however, that the activities will get back to normal for the summer of 2019.

Meanwhile, the SPJD is continuing its collaboration with the parity advisory committee for the use of Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve for sporting purposes, and is currently working on adding various facilities and establishing a code of conduct for all users of the Circuit, along with bringing tangible solutions to the cohabitation of sports practitioners, walkers and vehicles on the track.   

The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve will open officially on Saturday April 14. The bike path linking the South Shore and Parc Jean-Drapeau/Montréal, and the path leading to the de la Concorde bridge, which are regularly used by cyclists, will remain open all summer long, except for the usual few days in June when the Canadian Grand Prix is being held.   

The provisional 2018 schedule for Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is available at parcjeandrapeau.com.

About Parc Jean-Drapeau

Steps away from home, Parc Jean-Drapeau offers a wide range of recreation-tourist attractions   that make it a unique place in Canada. Easily accessible by subway, the use of public transit to get to the Parc is highly recommended to enhance the overall experience of your visit to the Parc.    

To learn more, about the construction work, events and activities going on at Parc Jean-Drapeau, visit the parcjeandrapeau.com or follow us on social media @parcjeandrapeau.

SOURCE SOCIETE DU PARC JEAN-DRAPEAU

Geneviève Boyer, Communications Manager, 514 872-7322, [email protected]