Bell Centre condos a big ‘slap in the face’

Re: “Condos to displace hockey legends” (Gazette, July 17).

I am 27 years old and I’ve been a loyal supporter of the Montreal Canadiens since the day I could walk. I was there with my dad when the Habs last won the Stanley Cup at the Forum. I was there when Patrick Roy played his last game. I was there when Saku Koivu came back from his cancer.

I’ve spent a lot of money and time supporting my team. I’ve travelled on the road to see them play and this is something that I wouldn’t want to stop doing.

But when I saw the announcement about the condo complex that will be built next to the Bell Centre, I felt ashamed of being a fan of that team.

This open area where the condo complex is to be built was set up for fans to express themselves and show their appreciation to the team that they cherish through good times and bad times. Like many fans, I bought my brick in the pavement in front of the Bell Centre, and every time that I walk there, I feel proud.

But now my name will be paving the way to a condo complex funded by the tickets, jerseys, souvenirs and good times that I’ve had in this arena. This is the biggest slap in the face that the team could give its fans. I feel that this team doesn’t really care about the thousands of hardworking Canadians supporting the team.

They are moving monuments to accommodate some people who don’t give a damn about hockey.

Ottawa is a boring hockey market, but at least the Senators won’t sacrifice their idols for rich people who don’t care. Alex Labelle Montreal