The Montreal Alouettes are playing their home games under security risks, at least according to an infrastructure review by McGill University.
In a presentation to the school's board of governors in October. details of which were first published this week in the Montreal Gazette.Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation Jeffrey Phillips said the artificial turf at Percival Molson Stadium needs to be replaced after 13 years of use.
“The field is now showing its age and the seams are coming apart, creating a hazard for athletes who could trip and be injured,” the report said.
Phillips also said CFL games at the facility had to be suspended at times to allow for emergency repairs to the field surface. Given that the warranty has expired, replacing the turf will cost $1.75 million.
The new turf was part of an estimated $50 million renovation of the school's entire athletic infrastructure. This was part of McGill's recent decision to cut more than half of its varsity and club sports teams ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Redbirds football team, which plays on the problematic field, was not affected by either program.
Percival Molson Memorial Stadium was built in 1915 and has served as the Alouettes' primary home field since 1998 and has hosted every playoff game since 2014. Although the facility has undergone renovations over the years, including the installation of a new video board on the north side in 2024, it remains outdated and problematic as a professional venue.
Former Alouettes President Mark Weightman spoke about the matter. 3DownNation in September 2023 that the team considered three options for improving their living situation: renovating an existing facility, returning to its previous home at the Olympic Stadium, or building a new stadium. Team owner Pierre Karl Peladeau also acknowledged that a new venue needs to be consideredalthough he hasn't made any commitments yet, one way or the other.
McGill told the newspaper that no decisions have been made on whether any renovations will be done as they continue to face budget constraints. If the condition of the deteriorating turf falls below CFL standards, Péladeau and Alouette could expedite replacement.
