Heavy Montreal cancels 2017 concert with Parc Jean-Drapeau under construction

HeavyMontreal is taking a one-year hiatus while construction is underway inParcJean-DrapeauonleSainte-Hlne.

"Several factors, including the renovations at Parc Jean-Drapeau and the increase in cultural events during Montral's 375thanniversary, contributed to our decision," NickFarkas, vice-president for Evenko, which organizes the heavy metal festival, said in a statement.

The 2015 festival was held over three days and drew thousands of people. Farkas said Heavy Montreal will be back in 2018.

The cancellation means some music-weary residents on Montreal's South Shore, where Saint-Lambertlaunched a legal battle over concert noise concerns,will get a bit of a reprieve.

Evenko earlier announced that two other music festivals, Osheagaand leSoniq, will be relocated toneighbouringle Notre-Dame in 2017 due to construction in the park, moving them even closer to Saint-Lambert.

Montreal isredeveloping the popular festival siteto increase capacity from 45,000 to 65,000 people,as part of thecity's375thanniversary celebrations.

The $70-millionproject will include construction ofanew amphitheatre facingSaint-Lambert across the river.

• Saint-Lambert wins latest round in concert noise legal battle with Montreal
• Parc Jean-Drapeau: new amphitheatre will hold bigger crowds