On June 19, 1992, the official inauguration of the Montreal Biodôme took place. Thirty years later, looking back at the beginnings of an institution that enjoyed immediate success.
In the summer of 1989, Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa announced a major project: the transformation of the Olympic velodrome into a Biodôme.
“This is the perfect kind of investment,” said Robert Bourassa of future Biodôme de Montréal. On the show First edition On August 18, 1989, journalist Ruth Loiselle summarizes the main lines of the project, combining economic development and environmental protection.
” Bicycles will make way for thousands of animals and plants to live in their rebuilt habitat. “
Following this news, cyclists said they were disappointed to lose this training ground built for the Summer Olympics in 1976. The Fédération québécoise des sports cyclists asked the government for an alternative solution, which it refused. According to André Vallerand, minister responsible for the file, the velodrome has continued to accumulate deficits in recent years.
The project is moving forward. Its realization was organized by Pierre Bourque, director of the Botanical Garden and future mayor of Montreal. In less than three years, the Biodôme was inaugurated on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the Quebec metropolis.
In this report broadcast on Montreal ce night on June 15, 1992, journalist Gilles Payette presented details of this unique place, a few days before its opening. Biodôme is “the only place in the world where you can go, in seconds, from a temperate climate to a climate in warm countries”.
Four reconstructed ecosystems coexist there: the North and South Poles, the Gulf of St. Louis. Lawrence, the Laurentian Forest and the Tropical Rainforest. The natural habitat of plants and animals has been re -created so that they can adapt to their new environment. The well -being of these species represents a major challenge for the professionals working there.
A success since it opened
750,000 visitors come to Biodôme in the first three months. On September 25, 1992, at Montreal ce night, Gilles Payette provides a report on this success. The area is fast becoming one of the busiest places in Canada.
“It’s wonderful”, “amazing”, “very friendly” … the tourists are full of praise.
Guests still have some reservations. We are sorry that we cannot observe all the animals. Beavers, for example, sleep during the day and remain hidden. The environment of the polar world still needs to be improved and the variety of fish is lacking in St. Louis. Lawrence basin. The Biodôme team promises to make a correction.
Thirty years later, the “living” museum continues to attract people and remains one of the most visited places in the metropolis.
Biodôme closed its doors in 2018 for major renovations and reopened two years later, in 2020.
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
