The Parc olympique de Montréal, nearly 50 years since its construction, is undergoing a holistic organizational and digital transformation. To establish itself as a key player in the event industry, the Parc is actively integrating BIM and other digital methodologies across its infrastructure lifecycle in all aspects of its operations.
The Parc olympique, like many historic infrastructures in North America, also faces the challenge of aging facilities requiring increased maintenance. Its recently adopted strategic vision broadens possibilities and will position the Parc as a major destination for the city and the province, making it a key player in the development of the East of Montreal’s cultural, business and sports scene.
To bring this vision to life, we have embarked on a comprehensive organizational transformation encompassing various critical areas such as process mapping, marketing innovations, sustainability strategies, business development and strategic partnerships. At the heart of this transformation lies an infrastructure modernization plan, which outlines an ambitious portfolio of construction and renovation projects spanning multiple years. Through these initiatives, we aim to unlock a wealth of commercial opportunities, broaden our revenue streams, and ensure the upkeep of existing infrastructures to better serve our diversified (and diversifying) clientele.
Yet the operations of the Parc have been facing challenges in term of information reliability. The available data, sometimes dating back to the 1970's, is managed and stored in disparate, legacy systems with structure and management processes not compliant to current industry standards. The Parc requires a comprehensive, structured, and interoperable information and data architecture that can serve as the foundation for all operational aspects, including building maintenance, event hosting, tenant services, energy efficiency, and space management. Staffing challenges across all departments, exacerbates the need for optimized processes in managing and maintaining high level of information quality and access.
The Parc has undertaken an extensive initiative to develop methods, tools, and processes that facilitate the delivery of digital projects. This involves leveraging the power of BIM to streamline the planning, design, and construction processes. By implementing BIM, the Parc ensures that all project stakeholders have access to a centralized and up-to-date digital model, enabling seamless collaboration, reducing errors, and improving project outcomes.
In addition, the Parc recognizes the significance of digitalizing information access and management for facility operations. This involves the integration of digital systems to enable efficient storage, retrieval, and utilization of data related to building maintenance, tenant services, event hosting, and space management. This effort is supported by broad upskilling as well as team coaching through workshops, technical consulting, and expert councils. By integrating asset criticality and lean principles in prioritizing digitized information, the Parc aims to ensure the sustainability of the new processes and enhance operational efficiency, facilitate data-driven decision-making, and improve the overall effectiveness of facility management processes. Adequately managing data yields patterns, trends, and areas for optimization and will allow for proactive decision-making and process refinement.
The implementation strategy's strength lies in its comprehensive approach that extends throughout the entire organization. Outside of engineering and construction departments, the positive effects will resonate across all roles and functions within the company, fostering collaboration, efficiency, and innovation throughout the organization. The journey reflects a transformative, long-term vision set forth by upper management and is set in a current organizational shift that is underway on all levels.
