“With the Montreal Impact and soccer about to reach an important step in their history, notably with the construction of a new stadium, we are pleased to count on the vast experience and dynamic leadership of Mr. Richard Legendre,” said Impact president Joey Saputo. “With him on board, we are more than ever confident in the future of our sport and our team.”
“I am very pleased and also feel privileged to join the Montreal Impact, a team that is successful both on and off the field, ”said Mr. Legendre. “I’m equally pleased to be returning back to sports, especially soccer, which is the number one participation sport in Quebec.”
Richard Legendre left his mark on the Quebec sports scene over the past four decades, as a professional tennis player, an administrator of important projects and as minister in the Quebec government.
On the political scene, he was elected Member of the National Assembly in Blainville in the partial election of October 1, 2001, before being elected again in 2003. While he was Minister for Tourism, Recreation and Sports in Prime Minister Bernard Landry’s cabinet, he played a crucial role in the rescue and the re-launch of the Montreal Impact as a non-profit organization, in 2002.
Previously, he was Director of the Canadian Open and of Tennis Canada, from 1988 to 2001, where he spearheaded the construction project at Jarry Park from 1990 to 1995. He was instrumental in the stadium’s expansion, which was achieved through public financing and the participation of major sponsors.
As part of his new functions, Richard Legendre will be responsible for the construction and the use of the new Saputo Stadium, a non-profit entity, which will be ready for the 2008 season.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
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