Paul Sauvé Arena
Encyclopedia
The Paul Sauvé Arena was an indoor arena located in Montreal
, Quebec
, specifically in Rosemont. It had a capacity of 4,000. It was built in 1960 and demolished in 1996. The arena was named after Paul Sauvé
(March 24, 1907 – January 2, 1960), a Quebec Premier with the Union Nationale.
The arena hosted some of the most important events in modern Quebec political history. It was the site of the Parti Québécois
election victory celebrations on November 15, 1976 and on April 13, 1981. Additionally, it was the site of two of the most important moments of the 1980 referendum. On May 14, 1980 Pierre Trudeau
delivered his "first among equals" speech that was his major contribution to the campaign battle, and René Lévesque
delivered his passionate consession speech on May 20, 1980.
The Paul Sauvé Arena was, most popularly, the home to Quebec professional wrestling. In the mid-1960s, Johnny Rougeau and partner Bob Langevin created "Les As de la Lutte" (Wrestling Aces) and made the arena its main venue for wrestling shows, which ran from 1965 to 1975. The arena was also home to a founding franchise in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
. The Rosemont National played two seasons (from 1969 to 1971, finishing 8th and 9th) before moving to Laval. In the late 1960s the Montreal Canadiens lacrosse team played in the arena. Finally, boxing was always a big draw, and the arena saw many memorable fights.
On a more prestigious note, it also hosted preliminary volleyball
matches at the 1976 Summer Olympics
. Before decay, costs and low attendances doomed the arena, it was used for curling hall, and later a bingo hall, a gymnasium, a bowling alley, and trade shows.
45°33′43"N 73°34′46"W
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, specifically in Rosemont. It had a capacity of 4,000. It was built in 1960 and demolished in 1996. The arena was named after Paul Sauvé
Paul Sauvé
Joseph-Mignault-Paul Sauvé was a Quebec lawyer, World War II veteran and politician. He was the first Quebec Premier to be born in the 20th century.-Life:...
(March 24, 1907 – January 2, 1960), a Quebec Premier with the Union Nationale.
The arena hosted some of the most important events in modern Quebec political history. It was the site of the Parti Québécois
Parti Québécois
The Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
election victory celebrations on November 15, 1976 and on April 13, 1981. Additionally, it was the site of two of the most important moments of the 1980 referendum. On May 14, 1980 Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
delivered his "first among equals" speech that was his major contribution to the campaign battle, and René Lévesque
René Lévesque
René Lévesque was a reporter, a minister of the government of Quebec, , the founder of the Parti Québécois political party and the 23rd Premier of Quebec...
delivered his passionate consession speech on May 20, 1980.
The Paul Sauvé Arena was, most popularly, the home to Quebec professional wrestling. In the mid-1960s, Johnny Rougeau and partner Bob Langevin created "Les As de la Lutte" (Wrestling Aces) and made the arena its main venue for wrestling shows, which ran from 1965 to 1975. The arena was also home to a founding franchise in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
. The Rosemont National played two seasons (from 1969 to 1971, finishing 8th and 9th) before moving to Laval. In the late 1960s the Montreal Canadiens lacrosse team played in the arena. Finally, boxing was always a big draw, and the arena saw many memorable fights.
On a more prestigious note, it also hosted preliminary volleyball
Volleyball at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Volleyball at the 1976 Summer Olympics was represented by two events: men's team and women's team.-Medal table:-Medal summary:-External links:*...
matches at the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
. Before decay, costs and low attendances doomed the arena, it was used for curling hall, and later a bingo hall, a gymnasium, a bowling alley, and trade shows.
Reference
- 1976 Summer Olympics official report. pp. 134-7.
45°33′43"N 73°34′46"W