Montreal Impact News Release - www.montrealimpact.com

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

MONTREAL, QUE -- Mr. Lino Saputo, Mr. Joey Saputo, President of the Montreal Impact, Mr. Gilles Lépine, Chairman of the Olympic Installations Board, Mrs. Francine Senécal, Vice-chairperson of the Executive Committee, responsible for sports, recreation and scientific institutions with the City of Montreal, and Mrs. Lyn Thériault, Mayor of Mercier/Hochelaga-Maisonneuve Borough, took part Wednesday in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the future soccer complex and Saputo Stadium, at Olympic Park.

The first phase of the project consists of the construction of a stadium and training field, which will be located on the corner of Sherbrooke and Viau Streets. The Saputo Stadium, a 13,000-seat soccer stadium, will become the new home of the Montreal Impact as of the 2008 season.

“Much like the Impact’s mission is to develop soccer in Quebec, the purpose of these new facilities is to provide a high-end environment to foster this development,” said Impact President Mr. Joey Saputo. “We want the Saputo Stadium to be a unique gathering place for all soccer players and fans alike, as well as for future generations throughout the province.”

Construction of the project is estimated at $15 million, and will be entirely privately funded. Half of this amount -$7.5 million- will be donated by the Saputo family.

“For my family and I, this project also represents a great opportunity to give back to the community who has supported us since the foundation of our company in 1954,” said Mr. Lino Saputo. “It’s really a great honour to know that the Saputo Stadium will be erected at Olympic Park.”

“The construction of this soccer stadium, combined with the arrival of four aquatic sports national teams in our complex, reinforces the athletic orientation of our facilities,” said the President of the Olympics Installations Board, Mr. Gilles Lépine. “By dedicating a portion our fields to the construction of the Saputo soccer complex, through an emphyteutic lease, we are contributing to increase the sport’s popularity. At the same time, this new complex will promote physical activity among our youth.”

“The City of Montreal is pleased to accompany the Saputo family in the realization of this dream. The building of a sporting facility of this magnitude represents an added value for the city and it will undoubtedly benefit the development of soccer, which has constantly gained in popularity over the years,” declared Mrs Francine Senécal, Vice-chairperson of the Executive Committee, responsible for sports, recreation and scientific institutions with the City of Montreal.

The Saputo Stadium will be expandable to 17,000 seats and will host all Montreal Impact home games, as well as other soccer events, including regional, provincial, national and international matches. The new complex, specifically designed for soccer, will be managed by a non-profit organization.

The Impact played before a total of 161,762 fans during the 2006 regular season, for an average of 11,554 spectators at every home game. The Impact kicks off their final season at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex May 20, 2007, marking the club’s 14th home opener in team history.