To all IGA Stadium users,
We are pleased to inform you that the clay courts will officially reopen to the public as of February 23, 2026.
Over the past several months, many steps have been taken not only to inspect various indoor courts across the Montréal area, but also to assess the Gray/Green HAR-TRU product used on most tennis courts in Québec and Canada. These steps led to the following conclusions:
Court inspections
After conducting extensive sampling of indoor courts across the territory, Montréal’s regional public health authority determined that the presence of asbestos in the courts remains below construction material reference values (less than 0.1%).
HAR-TRU product
In order to ensure better compliance monitoring of the product, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the company HAR-TRU agreed on a series of measures to be implemented. Following this commitment, the Gray/Green HAR-TRU product is once again available on the market, and court operators in Québec are authorized to use it.
As public authorities have given the green light for the use of the product, IGA Stadium management will proceed with preparing the courts for their reopening on February 23.
Regional public health authorities and provincial public health nonetheless recommend certain protective measures as a precautionary principle. Our team is actively collaborating with public health authorities and is sharing the recommendations issued, including the following:
More frequent watering of the courts to prevent dust from becoming airborne, both during play and during maintenance activities, in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Enhanced protection for workers who regularly perform court maintenance.
Note: No specific measures have been issued by public authorities for athletes, coaches, or recreational players, as these individuals use the courts less regularly. Risk assessment will continue in early 2026, and any new guidance or recommendations will be communicated. At any time, if you have questions or concerns, you may contact us at receptionstadeiga@tenniscanada.com.
We are delighted to reopen our clay courts and wish you an excellent winter season.
Sincerely,
The IGA Stadium Team
Questions and Answers
1) Is playing tennis on the IGA Stadium clay courts compliant and safe?
The steps taken in the fall concluded that the courts and the Gray/Green HAR-TRU product used at IGA Stadium comply with the regulations. The Gray/Green HAR-TRU product is once again available on the market, and court operators in Québec are authorized to use it.
2) Is there still a risk of asbestos exposure?
The presence of asbestos on the courts is possible; however, evaluations conducted in recent months have shown that the risk is limited, as asbestos concentrations remain below construction material reference values (less than 0.1%). The study will continue this winter to further document the situation and associated risk.
IGA Stadium will continue to implement various measures to ensure that the courts and air quality remain compliant and that playing tennis remains safe.
3) Have any recommendations or directives been issued for the public by public authorities?
Public authorities have recommended that clay court operators inform users of the possible presence of trace amounts of asbestos on the courts or in the product used, even when regulatory values are met.
Aside from this information requirement, no specific measures have been issued by public authorities for athletes, coaches, or recreational players.
Based on the information available, these individuals generally play on different types of surfaces and are not exposed daily or full-time to clay courts. Their presence on this type of surface remains occasional and intermittent, which limits cumulative exposure.
Additional measures will, however, be implemented for workers responsible for court maintenance, due to their regular presence on the courts and tasks that more directly expose them to the product.
