Construction of a synthetic playing field, with chemical maintenance products, light towers and bleachers, atop the McTavish Reservoir (Parc Rutherford), within the limits of the Mount Royal Heritage Site, represents—among other things—an ecological and heritage threat and a loss of access by citizens to one of their public spaces.

In June 2016, the Coderre administration decided to build the synthetic field on Mount Royal despite criticism from citizens. The project cost $4.3 million, with nearly a million coming from McGill University. Ville-Marie’s elected officials authorized a contract with a company to build the field, despite a cost overrun attributed to difficulties in installing lighting. McGill contributed to the financing in exchange for access to the site for 47% of the time.