Montreal mayor applauds baseball study but will seek citizen input on stadium funding

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante says she’s thrilled with progress made by a group seeking to bring Major League Baseball back to Montreal but remains cautious about committing public money to the project without first consulting the population.

A group of investors seeking baseball’s return released a market study Thursday concluding the project would be viable and would generate strong interest among fans and the city’s business community.

Plante told reporters Friday she’s glad the project is making progress, commending the energy put in by a group led by Stephen Bronfman, executive chairman of Claridge Inc., and Montreal lawyer and businessman Mitch Garber.

The mayor said the city will be involved, but just how remains to be determined.

“We need to evaluate what kind of participation, how we will collaborate, but so far, so good,” Plante said. “We all agree it would be a great opportunity for Montreal to get back baseball, now we just have to go back at the details, but I’m very enthusiastic.”

Plante said she will stand by her 2017 election promise to consult the public before approving funding for a new stadium, should Bronfman’s group make the request.

“The needs are important in so many other areas, and what we’re seeing elsewhere is there are different business models being developed to get sports teams,” Plante said. “But if it comes to asking Montrealers for money, for example to build a stadium, yes, I will ask Montrealers.”