Canada's Olympic Games seeks new venue after Montreal Olympic Park fire
Fire damage at Montreal's Olympic Park has extended pool closures, forcing Canada Swimming to relocate its Olympic trials venue next month.
The Olympic Park complex will be closed for four to six months to repair damage caused by last month's fire, it was announced in a statement on Wednesday.
Swimming Canada released a statement regarding the closure extension. “We are working on contingency plans to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.
“Our top priority is to maintain the Montreal-area trial on its original May 13-19 dates,” the organization wrote. “We will provide further information as soon as possible.”
A fire broke out at the base of the Olympic Stadium tower on March 21, causing what the CBC described as “significant damage.” The initial closure of the facility, including the pool, was scheduled to last until April 2nd. However, the damage proved to be even more severe, with heavy smoke infiltration and flooding affecting all 14 floors of the tower and offices. The fire caused no structural damage to the building and no injuries were reported.
The facility is regularly used by more than 4,000 people, including 250 to 350 Olympic and Paralympic athletes who use it as a training base. Swimming Canada's Paralympic program is based here and trains elsewhere.
Swimming Canada will host the Speedo Canadian Open next week at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Center, which will host the 2021 trials. The trial is scheduled for May 13th to May 19th.
