Plan to cut down 1,000 trees for Parc Jean-Drapeau amphitheatre a 'tree massacre,' says city opposition

Parc Jean-Drapeau is losing some green space to make room for a 65,000-seatamphitheatre something the official opposition at city hall is calling a "tree massacre."

The project is on le Sainte-Hlne's south sector and will let event promoters welcome more people to their large festivals such asthe Osheaga music and arts festival which previously had an attendance capacity of 40,000.

To build the ampitheatre 1,061 trees are being cut down.

"It's a massacre," said Projet Montralleader Valrie Plante.

"We have decided to cut 1,000 trees. Healthy trees, mature trees. And we are cutting them to make room for a concrete amphitheatre that will essentially be used by a few private promoters."

According to the Parc Jean-Drapeau website, for any tree that is cut down another will be planted elsewhere in the park. It also says that cut trees will be put to good use.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre defended the project Thursday, saying construction was taking place on an exceptional spot for big events.

• Osheaga 2017: The Weeknd, Muse, Lorde top eclectic lineup

"When we have Osheaga or Week-ends du monde or other events, having the facilities that will accommodate these large-scale events is something extraordinary," Coderre said.

He said calling the construction "a massacre" was just the Opposition trying to get attention.

The city added that the site will be available to any promoter organizing a large-scale event in that location.

"The site will become a four seasonevent location,"said spokesperson forMontreal's executivecommittee NomieBrire-Marquez.

The project is expected to cost $73.4 million, more than half of which is coming from the city.

Preparation work is already being done at the site with construction slated to begin in May and continue until December 2018. The new site is expected toopen in the summer of 2019.

The city said because of noise and dust caused by construction, the park's pools will be closed this summer, and possibly into 2018.

The Parc Jean-Drapeau Aquatic Complex is advising people to swim at Jean-DorBeach instead. The beach opens June 21.

• Parc Jean-Drapeau redevelopment plans tap 'spirit of Expo 67'