Ensemble Montréal commits to restoring free parking at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex and renovating Verdun Natatorium

Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Ensemble Montreal leader and candidate for mayor of Montreal, committed on Thursday to facilitating access to sports facilities in Ahuntsic and Verdun.

Bringing back free parking at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex

Soraya Martinez Ferrada commits to restoring free parking at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. This is a commitment that will allow families to access sports facilities, regardless of their transportation.

The return of free municipal parking at the Sports Complex will also reduce the number of visitors parked on nearby residential streets.

The financing of this measure will be covered by the surplus anticipated in the fiscal framework.

Until September 2, 2024, there were 324 free public parking spots at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. Since then, the City of Montreal has entrusted the management of the municipal parking lot of the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex to the Agence de mobilité durable de Montréal.

Ensemble Montréal is therefore committed to:

• Restore free municipal parking at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex to facilitate access to this facility for families and to reduce the number of visitors parked on nearby residential streets;
• Remove the management of the municipal parking lot of the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex from the Agence de mobilité durable de Montréal.

Bringing back Verdun Natatorium

In addition, an administration of Ensemble Montréal is committed to renovating the Verdun Natatorium, as well as to launching work before the end of its first mandate. Ensemble Montréal would also provide heating and minimal maintenance for the 1940 Art-Deco building.

Between 2018 and 2023, a series of structural assessments showed a significant weakening of the building, aggravated by deficient maintenance, in particular by the cutting off of the heating. Several organizations, including Heritage Montreal, have mobilized to ensure the conservation of the building. The Natatorium is the subject of a statement of heritage interest from the City of Montreal and it is important that it assume its responsibilities to ensure the conservation of the building.

An administration of Ensemble Montréal led by Soraya Martinez Ferrada is therefore committed to:

• Invest $40 million in the renovation of the Verdun Natatorium and launch work by the end of the mandate;
• Ensure immediate maintenance of the facility’s assets, including the resumption of heating and minimal maintenance of the structure;
• Integrate a team of experts in the preservation of built heritage in the renovation process of the facility.

Quotes:

“To make people pay to have access to the city’s sports facilities is particularly representative of the Plante-Rabouin administration. Bringing back free parking at the Claude-Robillard Complex and renovating the Verdun Natatorium, it’s a matter of fairness to citizens of all neighbourhoods, whether they are families or athletes.
— Soraya Martinez Ferrada, candidate for mayor of Montreal and leader of Ensemble Montréal

“The introduction of a tariff for this parking lot had sparked a great mobilization. Athletes and coaches need to be supported so that they can perform to the best of their ability. The measure was a brake on access for the most vulnerable families.
— Maude Théroux-Séguin, Ensemble Montreal candidate for Ahuntsic–Cartierville borough mayor

“The Natatorium was an important gathering place for the Verdun community. Unfortunately, Projet Montréal has been abandoning it since 2017. The state of the premises is deteriorating due to their inaction. So I’m proud that we’re committed to bringing it back to life.
— Geneviève Desautels, Ensemble Montreal candidate for Verdun borough mayor