The Montreal Olympic Stadium, a landmark from the 1976 Summer Games, is set to undergo a major renovation as Quebec unveils a new $870 million investment to replace its aging roof and technical ring. The stadium, which has been plagued by structural issues for decades, is now at the end of its useful life, prompting the need for a complete overhaul. The original roof, designed to be retractable, has suffered over 20,000 tears since its construction in 1976, forcing repeated repairs and ultimately leading to its permanent fixation in 1998. The new roof will be a fixed structure made of steel and elastomer, with an estimated lifespan of 50 years, marking a definitive shift away from the original retractable design. The Montreal Olympic Stadium was built for the 1976 Games, with the Organizing Committee initially estimating the cost of the facilities at 190 million dollars. The stadium itself was budgeted at 71 million dollars, but the project faced numerous challenges, including strikes, corruption, and delays. When the Games opened in 1976, the stadium had no roof, and the construction of the 165-meter-high leaning tower, which was meant to support the retractable roof, was not yet complete. It would take an additional twelve years to finish the tower, and by the time the roof was finally installed, it had already begun to show signs of failure. Over the years, the retractable roof proved to be a problematic design. The fabric, which was intended to be durable, aged prematurely due to exposure to ultraviolet rays, temperature fluctuations, and weather conditions. This led to a series of tears, with over 7,500 repairs made since the stadium's construction. In 1999, a snow collapse caused a large hole in the roof, further highlighting its fragility. Despite these issues, the retractable roof remained in place until 2017, when the government decided to dismantle it. By 2024, the roof had been torn in more than 20,000 places, raising concerns about the stadium's safety and future viability. The new $870 million project, officially announced on February 4, 2024, by Premier François Legault, includes a fixed roof made of steel and elastomer, supported by a combination of the stadium's mast and existing structures. The roof will feature a translucent glass border to allow natural light into the stadium. The technical ring, which houses essential infrastructure, will also be replaced with a steel tube coated in a curved material to match the stadium's aesthetic. The removal of the old roof and its supporting structures required up to 300 workers, and the project marks the second major financial commitment by Quebec taxpayers for the stadium, following a debt that took 30 years to clear. Additional investments for the stadium, such as upgrades to sound and electrical systems, are also in the works, potentially increasing the overall cost.