Save the Montreal Pipe
Big O, Location : Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Designed as an entrance for torch-bearing athletes for the ʻ76 Olympics, The Big O is a tunnel with perfectly tight transitioned walls that open up into one of the best “natural” miniramps on earth. It took the initiative of local skaters to make the spot what it is today. Itʼs got a good vibe. One of the more fun things to ever skate.
Skaters fight to save ‘legendary’ Big O pipe
For skaters, the concrete tunnel next to the Olympic Stadium isn’t just some place to hang out - it’s a valuable part of the city’s heritage.
Considered one of the best places in the world to perform, skaters from around the globe make pilgrimages to Montreal to skate on the pipe.
The pipe also happens to be on the site where the new 18,000-seat Montreal Impact soccer stadium is to be built, however.
Even though a spokesperson for Saputo Inc., the dairy products firm building the stadium, said construction plans have not been completed, local skaters are getting ready to mount a campaign to save the pipe.
Officials from the Impact could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The skaters are preparing a presentation for as-yet-unscheduled public hearings on the new stadium in the fall to convince city officials of the importance of saving the pipe.
The skaters plan to ask municipal officials to move the pipe to another spot in the Olympic Park, although the city has already told them there isn’t room in the budget for such a project, said Marc Tison, 33, a skateboarder who has been skating on the pipe for more than 20 years.
Otherwise, boarders may try to raise money to move the pipe themselves.
“It’s a wicked place for skateboarders,” Tison said.
“It’s by far the best place to skateboard in all of Quebec.” [...]
-ALANA COATES, The Gazette
Published: Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Sources :
- savethepipe.blogspot.com : Blog dedicated to the Big-O
- The Canada Gazette : article about the legendary spot
- backwardfive.com : a blog by Eric F.
August 18th, 2006 at 8:50 am
whaaaatt. that place is so fun to skate. why get rid of it!
August 18th, 2006 at 7:50 pm
IVE been there keep it fuck