I wonder how many Verdunites recognize this building ? It is the École du Cirque (Circus School) at the foot of Demarchais Boulevard, next to the Marina. The address is 5190 LaSalle Boul. This building was formerly the Guy Gagnon Arena. According to a currant article in the Messager, the school has revewed it's lease till 2017 and will occupy Studio A whereas Studio B will be at the disposal of the City of Verdun. I am not familiar with the history of this building as I left Verdun in the mid 50s but no doubt some MVC members will remember it when it was an arena.
Guy
8 comments:
I don't remember this building ,as an arena when i left Verdun.I do seem to think there was something built there,but I have never been in it.I may have seen it on a trip back to Montreal ? but I'm not sure at all. Maybe someone has a photo of the old building. I do remember at the foot of Desmarchais & Lasalle a small playground for little kids,as my sister-in-law used to bring my niece & nephew there almost daily in the late 60's(summertime of course) It was just around the corner from where they lived on 6th avenue.
HF&RV
The building is an eyesore - they should put the playground back - sorry
It's been there since perhaps the mid to late 70's. Typical small town arena with just enough room for a rink and about 10 rows of seating above rink level on one side. Pretty much essential when it was built, remember how many rinks there were in Verdun and how packed they were, the add on at the Auditorium, known as the Denis Savard Arena, pretty much takes up the slack. There is a need for a circus school, however. Kids today are just as likely to dream of one day joining Cirque du Soleil as they are to play for the Candiens, times have changed.
Ken,
Thanks for your valuable comments. I must take photos of the interior on my next visit to Verdun.
Guy
Here is some shots of the interior as a circus school. Looks like maybe only 6 rows of seats.
http://www.e-cirqueverdun.com/photo-album/piste.6.html
Good site Ken,....... the Cirque is an extremely popular event where ever it goes......
Did you know Mike & Gerry Pucci ?(I'm sure you did) Well Mike went on tour with Cirque de Soleil in Europe I believe as one of the background Musicians.........as you know most of the Pucci's were very good musicians............
On another note the fellow (whose name escapes me right now) who started the Cirque,....actually considered putting in a bid to purchase the Bleu.Blanc, Rouge----(but the Molson's beat him to it).........but his next endeavour apprently is a trip into space, When you've got billions ,what's $20 m for a ride into space....... HF&RV
Sure I remember the Puccis. Yea, Guy Laliberte is the name I think. More money than God as some might say....
Now if only British Bulldogs had become a professional sport there might be some awfully loaded Verdun folks today, heh heh.
True enough Ken , true enough....................hahahaha & your right it is Laliberte,& yes he got loaded,but in a slightly different fashion ,than we did as kids.......lol HF&RV
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