Olympic Tower funicular revamp expected to boost tourism

The Big O'sfunicular needsan update and Montrealis looking to Toronto for inspiration.

TheRgiedes installationsolympiques(RIO) has launched a call for tenders to update theaging structure.

The stadium itself was completed for the 1976 Olympic Games, but the funicular wasn't opened until 1987.

The project is expected to cost a few million dollars and double the amount of visitors the site receives over a five-year period.

• Montreal's Olympic Stadium needs $220Mfacelift, government report says
• DesjardinsGroup will open new office in Olympic Stadium tower

The president of RIO, Michel Labrecque, said that leveraging new technology would improve the experience for visitors.

"The funicular needs to be a different experience going up and down it," Labrecque said. "We could use modern technology to incorporate projections, narration and more."

Labrecqueadded that other funiculars around the world are incorporating creative technologies to take their experience beyond just having touristsascendand descend.

He said these creative approaches are being used in South Africa, Spain, and even in Toronto.

EdgeWalk, the 2011 update to the CN Tower, allows thrill-seeking tourists to stand on the ledge of the Tower's main pod.

The creative additionhelped boost revenue for the CN Tower by 10 per cent.

Quebecersfinally paid off their $1.5-billion debtfrom the 1976 Summer Games in 2006.The Olympic Stadium is expected to need $220 million in repairs over the next decade.