Jarry Park Stadium

Origins and Construction

The story of Jarry Park Stadium begins with the decline of Montreal's previous primary baseball venue, Delorimier Stadium, home to the minor league Montreal Royals. In early 1960, the Los Angeles Dodgers ended their affiliation with the Royals, prompting a search for a new ballpark to attract potential owners for the franchise. Negotiations to use the aging Delorimier Stadium failed, leading a group to look at the open spaces of Jarry Park as an alternate site. A 3,000-seat stadium was constructed and formally opened in August 1960 to meet this need. Despite the new facility being built, the Royals franchise relocated to Syracuse, New York that same year, leaving the small stadium underused for nearly a decade until the arrival of Major League Baseball.

When Montreal was awarded a Major League Baseball expansion franchise in 1967, the city faced an immediate challenge to provide a suitable home. The original condition for the franchise was that a domed stadium be ready by 1972, but plans stalled due to costs and site issues. Delorimier Stadium was deemed unsuitable for expansion, and the city balked at renovating the Expo 67 Autostade. With the threat of the league awarding the franchise to Buffalo, Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau intervened in August 1968, persuading National League President Warren Giles to visit Jarry Park. Giles approved the site due to its proximity to a highway and a commuter railway, setting the stage for a major renovation to bring the park up to major league standards.

The original 1960 structure was drastically expanded to serve as a temporary home for the new Montreal Expos. Unroofed extensions were added from the original stands down the left and right field lines, and a large bleacher section was constructed in left field. A new scoreboard was installed behind the right field fence. This renovation increased the stadium's capacity to 28,500 spectators, though it remained the smallest venue in the majors. The work was completed in time for the Expos' inaugural 1969 season, with the understanding it would be a short term solution for a maximum of four years while a permanent domed stadium was built.

Design and Notable Features

Jarry Park Stadium was a famously rudimentary ballpark, a reflection of its intended temporary status. The facilities were austere, with clubhouses located behind the stands along the left field line. The stadium's north northwest orientation, from home plate to second base, created a unique and problematic sun angle for early and late season games. The setting sun would shine directly into the faces of the first baseman and right handed batters, a issue so severe that game starts were sometimes delayed until sunset. The park was completely exposed to the elements, offering fans no protection from Montreal's often chilly and wet spring and fall weather.

Wind was another significant factor, as a large gap between the left field bleachers and the third base grandstand created a wind tunnel that buffeted infielders. These harsh conditions contributed to the field being ranked among the worst in the majors and led to frequent postponements. The posted dimensions were 420 feet to left centre and right centre, with straightaway centre field actually measuring 417 feet. Beyond the right field fence and scoreboard lay one of the stadium's most memorable features, a public swimming pool that was part of the existing city park. This swimming pool became part of baseball lore, as home run balls would occasionally land in it, creating 'splash hits' decades before the concept became famous at parks like San Francisco's Oracle Park.

The most famous instance occurred on July 16, 1969, when Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Willie Stargell hit a monumental 495 foot home run into the pool, leading locals to dub it 'Willie's pool'. Another notable splash hit was hit by San Diego's Willie McCovey on May 5, 1976. The idea of incorporating a pool into a ballpark design was later replicated at Chase Field in Phoenix, which opened in 1998. The pool was a unique and memorable quirk of the ballpark's inner city park setting, blending professional sport with public recreation in a way rarely seen.

Home of the Montreal Expos

The Montreal Expos, named after the successful Expo 67 world's fair, began play as part of Major League Baseball's 1969 expansion, becoming the first franchise located outside the United States. Owned by Charles Bronfman and managed by Gene Mauch, the team took the field at Jarry Park Stadium on April 14, 1969, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 8 7 in the first major league regular season game played in Canada. Despite the stadium's small size and makeshift nature, the Expos drew an impressive 1.2 million fans in that inaugural season. The team's on field performance was less stellar, finishing with a record of 52 wins and 110 losses.

Over the ensuing seasons, the Expos gradually improved, winning over 70 games in 1970, 1971, and 1972, and coming close to a .500 winning percentage in 1973 and 1974. The most popular player of the Jarry Park era was Rusty Staub, nicknamed 'Le Grand Orange' for his red hair and affable personality. Other notable Expos who played at Jarry included Maury Wills, Ken Singleton, and Ron Hunt, who set a modern season record by being hit by a pitch 50 times in 1971. Future Hall of Famers also made their mark, with catcher Gary Carter debuting in 1974 and hitting his first major league home run there, and outfielder Andre Dawson beginning his career at the park.

The Expos' stay at Jarry Park was repeatedly extended due to delays in constructing their permanent home. Strikes and cost overruns pushed back the original 1972 completion date for a domed stadium. After Montreal won the bid to host the 1976 Summer Olympics, the baseball and Olympic stadium projects merged into the planned Olympic Stadium. Continued construction delays forced the Expos to seek permission from MLB to remain at Jarry Park season by season. They ultimately played eight full seasons there, finally moving to the still unfinished Olympic Stadium for the 1977 season after a last minute lease agreement was secured.

Memorable Games and Events

Beyond the Expos' regular season games, Jarry Park Stadium hosted several significant baseball moments. On October 2, 1972, Expos pitcher Bill Stoneman threw the first major league no hitter outside the United States, blanking the New York Mets 7 0 in the first game of a doubleheader. The stadium also witnessed bookend appearances by the legendary Willie Mays, who played his final game as a San Francisco Giant at Jarry on May 9, 1972, and returned over a year later to play the final regular season game of his career as a Met. The largest crowd in the stadium's history, 34,331 fans, packed the park on September 15, 1973, to see the Expos defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 5 4 in ten innings.

The final baseball games at Jarry Park were played on September 26, 1976, a doubleheader against the Phillies. Philadelphia won both games, with the victory in the first game clinching the National League East Division title for the Phillies. The stadium also briefly hosted other sports, including 13 home games for the Triple A Buffalo Bisons in 1970 and two poorly attended National Football League preseason games in August and September of 1969. These NFL games drew crowds of only 8,812 and 12,724 respectively, and the league did not return to Montreal for an exhibition until 1988 at Olympic Stadium.

Transition to a Tennis Venue

After the Expos' departure in 1976, Jarry Park Stadium was used for various civic events and soccer matches, including games for the Inter Montreal team of the Canadian Professional Soccer League. Its transformation into a tennis venue began in 1980, with one corner of the new court located at the site of the old baseball backstop. The stadium was renamed in honour of Pope John Paul II to mark his visit to Montreal on September 11, 1984. In 1987, it was renamed again as Du Maurier Stadium, reflecting a sponsorship agreement. The venue has since undergone further upgrades and name changes, most recently becoming IGA Stadium, a name tied to a sponsorship deal.

Today, IGA Stadium is the centre court of a larger tennis complex within Jarry Park. The main court has a capacity of 11,991 seats and is supported by 12 outdoor courts and an indoor centre with eight courts that operates year round. Since 1981, it has been the home of the Canadian Open, a premier tennis tournament now branded as the National Bank Open for both the ATP and WTA tours. The stadium's location within one of Montreal's largest green spaces makes it a unique urban sporting venue, though its open air design leaves it vulnerable to Montreal's unpredictable summer weather.

Modernization Plans and Controversy

A feasibility study concluded that the aging IGA Stadium, with its lack of a roof and limited amenities, placed Montreal's tournament near the bottom of the list for ATP and WTA 1000 level events. The proposed project, announced in 2026, involves building a new centre court stadium with a retractable roof on the site of an existing baseball field west of the current practice courts. The new stadium would increase capacity to approximately 15,000 seats and add up to four practice courts and a dedicated match court. Tournament director Valérie Tétreault stated that a roof is essential, as rainy weather has frequently disrupted the National Bank Open schedule held in late July and early August. The organization ruled out relocating the tournament due to cost and expressed that the difference between building new or renovating the existing stadium was negligible. Tennis Canada has begun discussions with municipal, provincial, and federal governments to help fund the project, while also committing its own resources. These redevelopment plans have sparked opposition from some Montreal residents and community groups concerned over the potential loss of green space within the public park.

Protesters gathered in August 2026, expressing concern that the expansion infringes on parkland that belongs to the people. Critics argue that the project, which would make the stadium a larger, three season venue, reduces accessible public recreational space in the heart of the city. The debate centres on balancing the economic and sporting benefits of hosting a world class tennis tournament with the preservation of public parkland for community use. This tension highlights the ongoing challenge of managing multi use urban green spaces like Jarry Park.

Jarry Park Today

The broader Jarry Park remains a well used multi use recreational space for Montreal residents. The area encompasses much more than the tennis stadium, featuring baseball diamonds, soccer and cricket pitches, bocce courts, basketball and beach volleyball zones, and playgrounds. The park also includes swimming pools, a dog run, two gazebos, and in the winter, a pond that is maintained as a public skating rink. This diverse array of facilities ensures the park is heavily used throughout the year by the surrounding community for a wide variety of sports and leisure activities.

The legacy of baseball, however, is still faintly visible. The footprint of the old Jarry Park Stadium is now occupied by the tennis complex, but the history of the Expos' first home is commemorated in other ways. Notably, during the Washington Nationals' 50th anniversary celebration of the Expos franchise on July 6, 2019, the team honoured Jarry Park by replicating the Expos' original scoreboard at Nationals Park. This gesture acknowledged the foundational role the modest Montreal ballpark played in the history of a major league franchise that now resides in the American capital. The park continues to evolve, reflecting the changing sporting and recreational needs of the city while preserving its layered history.

Questions about Jarry Park Stadium

Why was a swimming pool famous at Jarry Park Stadium?

A pre existing public swimming pool was located just beyond the right field fence and scoreboard. It became famous when home run balls occasionally landed in it, creating 'splash hits'. The most famous was a 495 foot home run hit by Pittsburgh Pirates star Willie Stargell on July 16, 1969, which led locals to nickname it 'Willie's pool'. Another was hit by Willie McCovey in 1976. This feature was a unique and memorable quirk of the ballpark's inner city park setting.

What is the connection between Jarry Park Stadium and today's IGA Stadium?

IGA Stadium is the direct successor to Jarry Park Stadium, occupying the same site. After the Expos left in 1976, the baseball stadium was gradually converted into a tennis venue beginning in 1980. It has been renamed several times, including Stade du Pape Jean Paul II in 1984 and Du Maurier Stadium in 1987, before becoming IGA Stadium. It now serves as the centre court for the National Bank Open tennis tournament, a premier event on the professional tour.

What are the current plans for redeveloping the stadium at Jarry Park?

As of 2026, Tennis Canada plans to build a new centre court stadium with a retractable roof at Jarry Park as part of a major modernization. The proposed project would increase seating capacity from about 12,000 to approximately 15,000 seats and add new practice and match courts. The goal is to keep the National Bank Open tournament competitive with other top tier events. The plan has generated some public opposition over concerns about the loss of green space within the public park.

What notable baseball first happened at Jarry Park Stadium?

Several significant firsts occurred at Jarry Park Stadium. It hosted the first Major League Baseball regular season game in Canada on April 14, 1969, when the Expos beat the St. Louis Cardinals. It was also the site of the first MLB no hitter pitched outside the United States, thrown by Expos pitcher Bill Stoneman against the New York Mets on October 2, 1972. Additionally, the park saw the major league debuts of future Hall of Famers Gary Carter and Andre Dawson.

When was Jarry Park Stadium originally built and what was its initial capacity?

Jarry Park Stadium was formally opened in August 1960. It was originally built as a 3,000-seat facility to improve baseball stadium options in Montreal. This construction occurred after the Montreal Royals lost their affiliation with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, the Royals franchise relocated to Syracuse, New York in 1960 even after the stadium was built.

How was Jarry Park Stadium modified to become the temporary home of the Montreal Expos?

The original stadium was renovated to approach major league standards for the Expos. Unroofed extensions were added from the original stands to the left and right field corners. A large bleacher section was constructed across left field and a scoreboard was built behind the right field fence. This renovation work increased the stadium's capacity to 28,500 spectators.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.