The cost of $2 billion mentioned by the Legault government to demolish the Montreal Olympic Stadium seems high when compared to the bill to dismantle other buildings of this type in Canada, the United States and elsewhere in the world. Here are 10 recent examples.
Northlands Coliseum, Edmonton, Canada
Demolition coming in 2025: $35 million
(in current CAN dollars)
Photo: Google Street View
The former Edmonton Oilers arena in the National Hockey League (NHL) will be demolished in 2025, almost 8 years after officially closing. The foundation of the stadium is made of reinforced concrete. The presence of dangerous substances, such as asbestos, means that the City cannot implode the building, making demolition more difficult and more expensive.
RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
Demolition in 2023: $32 million
(in current CAN dollars)
PHOTO: Archive photo
This 59-year-old stadium has seen several professional teams settle there: the Redskins (now the Commanders), from the NFL, the Diplomats, from the NASL, as well as the former Montreal Expos team, the Nationals, among others. 2005 and 2007. It was located 3 km east of the Capitol.
Silverdome, Detroit, MI
Demolition in 2017: $12.9 million
(in current CAN dollars)
PHOTO: Archive photo
Former stadium of the NFL’s Detroit Lions, it was replaced, in 2021, by a robotic fulfillment center from the Amazon company which employs around 1,200 people.
Yankee Stadium, new York
Demolition in 2010: $47.3 million
(in current CAN dollars)
PHOTO: Archive photo
The former New York Yankees Stadium, which had a reinforced concrete structure and parts of steel and brick, was built in 1923. Demolition of the stadium was completed in 2010 and cost US$25 million . Due to municipal regulations and the proximity of other buildings, the demolition was carried out without explosives. The place has been redeveloped into a park.
Texas Stadium, Irving, TX.
Demolition in 2010: $11.4 million
(in current CAN dollars)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
This stadium located in the suburbs of Dallas was the home of the Cowboys, in the NFL, for 38 seasons before its demolition in 2010. The location was recognized for its half-open roof, chosen after a work stoppage for the construction of a retractable roof : the structure could not support the weight of such a roof. The demolition cost only $6M and was carried out by implosion with dynamite.
RCA Dome, Indianapolis
Demolition in 2008: $24.9 million
(in current CAN dollars)
The NFL’s Indianapolis Colts stadium was demolished by implosion to accommodate the expansion of the convention center next door. The 350,000 square foot stadium had a large canvas of Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric. The structure was made of steel.
Seattle Kingdome, Seattle WA
Demolition in 2000: $21.6 million
(in current CAN dollars)
Photo: Controlled Demolition Inc. website.
The demolition of this stadium caused a mini-earthquake measuring 2.3 on the Richter scale. The tension ring, located at the base of the dome, maintained 8.8 million pounds of tension to hold the pillars in place. It should be noted that in the case of the Montreal Olympic Stadium, the ring is located at the top, for the same reasons.
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Demolition in 2010: $18.9 million
(in current CAN dollars)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The demolition of the stadium was complex. The new MetLife Stadium, which had just been completed at the time of the demolition, was located next door. Thus, the stadium was not demolished by implosion, but rather by dismantling the structure from top to bottom. The structure was made of reinforced concrete and steel.
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia
Demolition in 2019: $41.3 million
(in current CAN dollars)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
This stadium has hosted three different sports: rugby, soccer and Australian rugby. His last event was a Michael Bublé concert. It was replaced by the Sydney Football Stadium of the same name, at a cost of AUS$828M, or $855M in current Canadian dollars, including, among other things, the demolition of the old stadium.
Boleyn ground, London, England
Demolition in 2016: $6.5 million
(in current CAN dollars)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
“This project required […] the demolition of the iconic 35,000-seat Premier League stadium, including the removal of asbestos and all foundations and obstructions,” says the company which carried out the work. Part of the stadium was first demolished for the film Final Score, a 2018 film starring Pierce Brosnan and Dave Bautista. Once the dismantling was completed, a real estate developer built 842 luxury apartments on the site.