Inaugurated on November 28 , 1939 , the Auditorium of Verdun is an atypical building . It boasts a rich history in sports and cultural heritage of the Verdun and Montreal residents . Its frame , built in the early 20th century , is made up of adjoining duplexes and triplexes in clay brick , and more recently , housing towers . The original Verdun Auditorium has architectural qualities that make it a good Montreal example of the Art Deco style , characteristic of the 1930s . Used from the end of its construction by military authorities during the Second World War , it opened its doors for hockey and skating in 1946 . It was home of the Verdun Maple Leafs , in which Maurice Richard played in his early days , as did the Montreal Canadiens before the construction of the Bell sports complex in Brossard . In addition to Maurice Richard , famous hockey players such as Denis Savard , Pat Lafontaine , Mario Lemieux , Claude Lemieux , and former coach Scotty Bowman have graced its halls .
With a seating capacity of nearly 4,000 , the Verdun Auditorium became a venue for important political events ( the 1980 and 1995 referendums ) and rock music concerts ( Bob Dylan , Nirvana , The Cure , Pearl Jam , and Iron Maiden ). The auditorium left an indelible mark on the citizens who frequented this emblematic place during their youth .
Over the years its facade has been covered with metal siding and a second rink , the Denis-Savard arena , has been added . The mandate the FABG architects were given involved the demolition and reconstruction of the Auditorium , preservation of the Denis-Savard arena , and a complete upgrade and replacement of the Freon refrigeration system , an environmentally harmful gas while aiming for LEED Gold certification .
Rather than destroy the historic landmark , FABG architects proposed the enhancement and restoration of the auditorium and the demolition & reconstruction of the Denis- Savard arena by arranging between the two a foyer from which it is possible to observe the two rinks from the city towards the river along the axis of a new urban beach . The asphalt surfaces around the building were reduced to promote a better relationship
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