Frommer's Review
Centerpiece of the 1976 Olympic Games and looking not unlike a giant stapler, Montréal's controversial Olympic Stadium provides only moderate interest for visitors. The main event is the 175m (574-ft.) inclined tower, which leans at a 45-degree angle and does duty as an observation deck, with a funicular that whisks passengers to the top in 95 seconds. On a clear day, the deck bestows an expansive view over Montréal and into the neighboring Laurentian mountains, but at C$14 (US$12/£6), the admission price is as steep as the tower. It's worth a trip only if you've bought a combination ticket with the other attractions in this area.
The complex also includes a stadium that seats up to 56,000 for rock concerts and the like, and was home to the Montréal Expos baseball team before it relocated to Washington, D.C. in 2005. A Sports Centre houses five swimming pools open for public swims and classes, including a pool that's 15m deep (49 ft.) for scuba diving. Thirty-minute guided tours that describe the 1976 Olympic Games and current center are available daily for a fee.
The roof doesn't retract anymore -- it never retracted well anyway. That's one reason that what was first known as "The Big O" was scorned as "The Big Woe" and then "The Big Owe" after cost overruns led to heavy increases in taxes. Plans for its future have run from total demolition to adding thousands of seats.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
