The Canadian government comes to the aid of the Montreal circuit
The Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal, which hosts the Canadian F1 Grand Prix, will soon undergo construction work. This announcement comes as a subsidy from the government is set to arrive in the circuit’s coffers. This aid will allow for the partial reconstruction of the paddock area. The work will be completed in time for […]
The Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal, which hosts the Canadian F1 Grand Prix, will soon undergo construction work. This announcement comes as a subsidy from the government is set to arrive in the circuit’s coffers. This aid will allow for the partial reconstruction of the paddock area. The work will be completed in time for the race in June.
The F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone stated last year that work was needed to ensure the facilities at the Montreal circuit met the standards of the event. His observations were in line with the opinions of several drivers and press delegates, who had also expressed their dissatisfaction with the paddocks.
« I am pleased to announce that the funds have been released and everything is confirmed, » said Raymond Bachand, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism in the Province of Quebec, regarding a two million dollar package.
« From the start, I knew that Bernie Ecclestone had made a proposal that sounded more like an obligation, so I made the decision to lend a hand to the Grand Prix, » he said in the Montreal daily La Presse.
« It is the most important tourist attraction in Quebec and Canada. »
The proposed plan will allow for the construction of new floating platforms on the pond to increase the number of available square meters. The media center will thus be relocated to allow for the construction of a new cafeteria.
The city of Montreal will also participate in this renovation work by contributing more than one million dollars to the circuit.
« There is a strong desire to help the Grand Prix, and I am convinced that we will find a solution to overcome the final obstacles, » said Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Quebec Region.
The Canadian Grand Prix will celebrate its 30th edition this year, 2008, at the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit and generates approximately 80 million dollars in revenue for the local economy.
With the disappearance of the United States Grand Prix, Canada will be the only Formula 1 event in North America.
