Summary#
On March 23, 2026, Montréal city council approved a contract with St-Denis Thompson inc. for Pôle Gadbois Sector 3, between Saint-Patrick, Hadley, Roberval and Cabot streets in the borough of Le Sud-Ouest. The decision authorizes the work and related costs; the stated goal, according to city staff, is to create recreational space and help compensate for impacts from the Turcot interchange project.
- The contract was awarded through public call for tenders 522801. St-Denis Thompson was the lowest compliant bidder among 11 bidders.
- The work includes a skate park, basketball and indoor hockey (“hockey cosom”) facilities, ping-pong tables, fitness equipment, landscaping and related infrastructure.
- Council also ordered an evaluation of the contractor’s performance.
- Work must be completed within 400 calendar days. Work is suspended from December 18 to April 19 during the 2026 and 2027 winter periods.
What it means for you#
- People using the area: The authorized project would add sports and recreation facilities under Highway 15, south of the Lachine Canal. The decision authorizes the work; it does not guarantee when the facilities will open.
- Contractor: St-Denis Thompson must meet the contract schedule. The tender documents provide a delay penalty of 0.05% of the contract price, excluding federal and Quebec sales taxes, per late day, with a minimum penalty of $1,000 per day.
- City and borough: The city awarded the construction contract. City staff say the borough of Le Sud-Ouest is to operate and maintain the park under a road-work permission from the transport ministry, renewed annually.
Money#
The decision authorizes total spending of $12,171,494.28, taxes included, and adds $3,504,606.80 to the city planning and mobility department’s operating budget, net of tax rebates.
- The contract itself is $9,111,585.36, taxes included. The total also includes $1,366,737.80 for contingencies and $1,693,171.12 for related costs.
- City staff report that the transport ministry has agreed to contribute up to $23 million to the wider Pôle Gadbois project. The materials do not set out how much of that contribution covers this contract.
What is unclear#
- The transport ministry owns a small adjoining parcel, under 5% of the work area, which the city is still acquiring. The project plans work there after the acquisition is complete.
- The ministry’s permission for the city to carry out the work is described, but the operating and maintenance permission is to be issued after construction.
- The decision does not give ongoing operating or maintenance costs. No publicly available information.
- The materials do not explain how the added budget amount relates to the ministry’s contribution for this specific contract.
Case for#
- City staff say the project is intended to create recreation space and address impacts from the Turcot interchange project.
- The contract provides several kinds of sports and fitness facilities, as well as landscaping and infrastructure.
- The city received 11 bids and selected the lowest compliant bid.
Case against#
- The decision authorizes more than $12 million in spending, including substantial contingency and related-cost budgets.
- Part of the work depends on the city completing an acquisition from the transport ministry. The materials do not say when that will happen.
- The operating and maintenance permission is not yet described as issued, and it must be renewed annually. The decision does not explain the longer-term costs or arrangements.