Judokas with their coach Antoine Valois-Fortier (far left) were among the first to return “home”.

INS QUÉBEC REOPENS ITS COMPLEXE:
A LONG-AWAITED RETURN AFTER 11 MONTHS OF ABSENCE

After an 11-month closure caused by a fire at the base of the Olympic Park Tower, the Institut national du sport du Québec (INS Québec) is finally able to welcome back athletes and sports specialists to its Olympic Park Complex. As of Monday (February 24), training groups whose facilities are located inside the INS Québec Complexe are back in their training environment, while aquatic sports will return to their premises as of March 3.

A homecoming for athletes

“This homecoming is a deeply significant moment for our entire community. The INS Québec Complexe is much more than a training facility: it’s a living environment designed for high performance, where athletes can train, receive care and interact with their support teams in an optimal environment. The resilience they have shown throughout this period, along with the exceptional commitment of our partners and employees, is truly inspiring.

Marc Desjardins, President and CEO of INS Québec

For almost a year, Complexe users and INS Québec staff had to cope with the relocation of their activities, a reality that called for considerable adaptability and sustained collaboration, particularly in preparation for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games last summer.

A challenge turned into an opportunity

Despite the challenges raised by the closure, this period was also an opportunity to rethink some spaces and improve facilities and equipment. These adjustments will optimize the experience of athletes and sports specialists, thus consolidating INS Québec’s mission to offer a world-class environment.

Throughout these months of transition, INS Québec has maintained a steady dialogue with the training groups to minimize impacts and ensure their return under the best possible conditions. Everyone’s commitment and understanding were essential to get through this period and prepare for this long-awaited reintegration.

Essential collaborative work

INS Québec would like to thank the teams at the Olympic Park, as well as the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Education, who played a key role in the rehabilitation of the facilities. Thanks to this collaboration, all the sports arenas are fully functional and ready to welcome athletes, Complexe users and Institut staff in a safe and healthy environment.

Reminder

INS Québec was forced to close its Complex on March 21, 2024, due to a fire that broke out during the night at the foot of the Montréal Tower, near the entrance to the Olympic Park Sports Centre. The entire 14,000 m2 INS Québec Complexe was affected by the fire, forcing the temporary relocation of the Institut’s high-performance training groups and its sports science and sports medicine services.