Parc Jean-Drapeau: Development - Phase 1 (Amphitheatre & Calder Lane)

A Brand-New Development

Société du Parc Jean-Drapeau awarded Pomerleau the mandate to complete the new 86,000 m² development on the southern portion of Île Sainte-Hélène. 

As the general contractor, we carried out the project, including the earthwork and the water supply and sewer system work, with our own team. We also managed road traffic during the project.

More specifically, this project involved the following elements:

• Developing a natural amphitheatre with a capacity of 65,000 people.
• Expanding the central walkway
• Building three architectural public buildings anchored in concrete piles and walls
• Installing 18,000 m² of architectural pavement, 4 km of sewer and water supply system, six retaining walls and architectural concrete stairs.
• Earthwork (53,000 m³ of excavation, 38,000 m³ of backfill and 175,000 tonnes of granular backfill).
• Adding coloured concrete sidewalks (4,000 m³), architectural screen walls and street furniture.
• Installing a 250-m² reception area, a 750-m² food court and 100 m² of sanitation facilities.
• Building a power substation.

High-Traffic Site

We carried out our work while respecting the tourists, Casino de Montréal clients, ongoing events, Jean-Drapeau subway station usage and the Calder work of art in the middle of the construction site.

Major Safety Hazards

Since the work was done near water and deep trenches, the cracking and cave-in hazards were huge.

Complex Coordination

Given the broad scope of the project, we had to coordinate multiple parties under the client's management.

Unforeseen Site Issues

Due to delays caused by aqueduct closures and unmapped foundations, we instituted a recovery plan to accelerate the schedule.