Municipal Stage of Quebec

Originator: Jules Charon
Capacity: 5100
Opening: 1939
Teams there having resided: Athletic of Quebec, Larks of Quebec, Brave of Quebec, Capital of Quebec, Carnivals of Quebec, Indian of Quebec, Subways of Quebec

History

The construction of the Municipal Stage to the Parc Victoria goes back to 1938. Québécois the Prime Minister for the time, Maurice Duplessis, large fan of baseball, takes itself the decision to grant the funds for his construction.

The government of the time wished to give work to the many unemployed struck hard by the great depression. Thus, one developed a project of installation of the Parc Victoria which included the construction of a stage of baseball.

It is with the architect Jules Charon of Three-Rivers that one asks to conceive the plans for the stage of Quebec. They will be also used for the construction of a stage similar to Three-Rivers. The costs for construction with Quebec are estimated at $150 000.

Work begins in April 1938 and finishes at the end of the summer season. The first match will be disputed there the May 14th 1939. More than 5.000 spectators attend this meeting. The Athlétiques of Quebec carry it 6 to 5 in 10th handle against Three-Rivers, all the two members of the Provincial Ligue of Baseball. The first part in evening will be disputed on June 5th, 1939, because the rain had prevented the Athletic ones from disputing their meeting the day before.

The middle of the Forties announces the beginning of the golden age of baseball with Quebec and the Municipal Stage is regularly filled. Thus, in 1948, in spite of one season of the Brave of Quebec in teeth of saw, more than 144.000 spectators cross the swivels of the Stage. Of 1948 until in 1955 the Brave men never attract less than 100.000 spectators per season. During the summer 1953, the Braves of Milwaukee of the National league of Baseball will come to dispute a meeting out of competition which it will gain 8-0 front 7368 spectators, they will return in 1955.

After a few quieter seasons, the stage goes back to vibrate in 1969, whereas the Expos of Montreal are allowed within the National league of Baseball and that they install their subsidiary company of level AA to Quebec. During a few seasons, more than 150.000 spectators will come to see the future high-speed motorboats of Expos. In 1977, Expos move their subsidiary company of Quebec and the stage will remain quiet for 18 years.

This situation will involve a progressive deterioration of the building. So well, that in the middle of the years 1990, the town of Quebec juggles with the idea to demolish it. There the Committee of Revival of the Stage and a group wanting to install a team of baseball junior revives the interest of the population for the stage. The May 6th 1995, baseball reappears at the Stage, whereas the Diamants of Quebec disputes a first match there in front of 800 person in a building then in very sorry state. Despite everything, more than 27.000 visitors will veront Diamonds to dispute there their first season in the Ligue of Baseball Junior Elite.

In 1999, after more than 1 million in investments by the town of Quebec, the stage accommodates professional baseball again whereas the Capitales of Quebec of the Ligue Northern arrive. In 2001, they attract more than 148.000 people. Then in 2004, 165.014 spectators will have reached one evening the Municipal Stage to see the Capitals.

Random links: