The leaders of Université Laval wish to welcome the first users of the future tennis complex in 2025 or, at the latest, in 2026.
Presented in the March 2021 budget of the Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, the assistance of 20 million from the Quebec government, through an envelope from the Secretariat of the Capitale-Nationale, for the construction of a tennis stadium including eight indoor and as many outdoor pitches was again confirmed today at the PEPS.
The other 20 million to complete the project, which will cost twice as much, will come from Laval University.
“We hope to open our doors in 2025 or at the latest in 2026,” said the director of the Sports Activities Service (SAS) at Laval University Julie Dionne. Are we going to do a two-tier opening? That remains to be determined. The financial package is not complete, but we will bet on a self-financing model. Philanthropy and infrastructure naming are ways being considered. Today’s announcement keeps the project alive and puts pressure on us to deliver the goods. »
“Our facilities are aging and always filled to capacity,” added Dionne. We wanted to ensure a lasting structure. If we had wanted a dome, it would have been done a long time ago. »
The exact site is yet to be determined and a few options are on the table. Technical constraints encourage
the University to evaluate some options.
Democratize sport
The PEPS tennis center will have two parts. On the one hand, it will be the scene of national and international tournaments and, on the other hand, it will welcome regional customers.
“Quebec will be able to present tournaments of the type that we see in Granby and Gatineau and it will be an extremely important place for the development of tennis, underlined Minister Girard. Quebecers playing in the NCAA come home in the summer to take part in Tennis Canada events. Rouge et Or players can also train there. »
“It is also very important to democratize sport, to continue the Minister of Finance. In this regard, the National Center in Montreal welcomes the elite, but it is also accessible to citizens every day. We are looking for the same thing in Quebec. »
Long planned
A fan of tennis himself, the Minister of Finance mentioned that the project for a tennis stadium in Quebec has been in the cards for a long time.
“Six weeks after taking power [le 1er octobre 2018], our government was approached, said the one whose family hosted young people who attended the National Center in Montreal. From our first economic update, the government’s contribution was envisaged. We realized that there was a lack of infrastructure for tennis in Quebec and we decided to go ahead. We had a desire to democratize sport. »
The Deputy Premier, Minister of Public Affairs and Minister responsible for the Capitale-
National Geneviève Guilbault abounded in the same direction.
“The demand was stronger than the supply and we wanted the sport to be accessible,” she said. The costs are higher in a private club and the prices will be more attractive. Summer camps and various activities may be offered at the PEPS. »
Laval University rector Sophie D’Amours was beaming.
“It’s a great gift for Université Laval, the region and young people,” she said. We want the center to be accessible. We hope to present the Center as soon as possible. I want to thank the instigators of the project, Louis Têtu and Louise Couture, who presented the idea to us. »
While it is clear that the PEPS wants to host WTA or ATP tournaments in the future and Challenger 125-type events, Dionne assures that the new complex will not compete with the National Center in Montreal.
“The best prospects will continue to go to Montreal,” she said. We are leading the project in close collaboration with Tennis Canada, especially on the technical aspects. »
