Potential Sites Considered for New Ottawa Stadium

In an alternate baseball universe, Ottawa fans might be cheering their teams from a different ballpark. Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before the familiar Coventry Road stadium became a reality, the city explored eleven other locations for a potential new stadium.

Eight potential sites were ultimately rejected for various reasons. A Conroy Road location was deemed too noisy for nearby residents, lacked convenient rapid transit options, and presented parking challenges. Carlington Park faced similar issues with noise and traffic concerns from residents, along with a complete lack of parking and public transit access. A nearby quarry site served as a major regional snow dump, raising concerns about traffic congestion at Woodward Drive and Clyde Avenue if developed. The Experimental Farm offered a promising location due to its size, access, and potential for parking, but ultimately fell short in other criteria. Carleton University land offered limited parking and raised potential noise and traffic concerns. A site by Highway 417 and Innes Road was deemed a non-starter due to its remote location, making it a long and unattractive drive for fans. The RA Centre land, owned by the federal government, boasted an ideal location, but lacked essential utilities like sewer and water infrastructure, and crucially, didn’t receive approval from the RA Board of Directors. Finally, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation headquarters on Tremblay Road, while a good location overall, lacked a direct connection to the nearby St. Laurent rapid transit station.1

Three sites made the city’s shortlist: LeBreton Flats, Bayview Yards, and Rideau River Park.

LEBRETON FLATS

LeBreton Flats emerged as the frontrunner for the new ballpark, boasting a prime location and immense potential. However, securing the land from the National Capital Commission proved too challenging, ultimately derailing this promising option.

BAYVIEW YARDS

Emerging as the second most attractive option after LeBreton Flats, Bayview Yards presented a unique challenge. Though boasting excellent access to public transit, this former landfill site would necessitate significant remediation efforts. While on-site parking was limited, surrounding neighborhoods offered potential solutions.2 The price tag to develop this site was pegged at $15.9 million.3

RIDEAU RIVER PARK

While boasting good public transit access and ample parking, this site presented the most significant environmental challenges. Extensive remediation work would be required at a substantial cost.4 The city estimated it would cost $25.6 million to develop this site.5

None of these sites proved to be the perfect fit for Ottawa’s new baseball stadium. Coventry Road ultimately emerged as the site of the city’s ballpark, where baseball is still played today.

STEVE RENNIE is a former journalist now working in the Canadian government. He grew up in the village of Osgoode, which is now part of the city, and got to see the Ottawa Lynx in their heyday. His baseball writing includes articles for the SABR Team Ownership Histories Project and an upcoming piece on the short-lived Eastern International League of 1888. In the spring of 2024, he presented on Ottawa’s early baseball history at the Frederick Ivor-Campbell 19th Century Base Ball Conference in Cooperstown, New York. He is the president of SABR’s Ottawa-Gatineau and Eastern Ontario chapter.He has a particular interest in nineteenth-century baseball in Canada and enjoys unearthing forgotten games and teams from the sport’s early history for the Centre for Canadian Baseball Research and Protoball. He lives in Ottawa with his wife Joanna and their two children.

 

NOTES

1 City of Ottawa. Department of Recreation and Culture. The Prospectus for a Multi-purpose Recreational Complex in Ottawa for Baseball, Other Sports and Entertainment (Ottawa: The Department, 1989), 31–34.

2 City of Ottawa. Department of Recreation and Culture. The Prospectus for a Multi-purpose Recreational Complex in Ottawa for Baseball, Other Sports and Entertainment (Ottawa: The Department, 1989), 44–52.

3 City of Ottawa. Department of Recreation and Culture. Triple “A” Baseball: Market Study, Detailed Site Analysis, Costs and Financial Strategy (Ottawa: The Department, 1989), 18.

4 City of Ottawa. Department of Recreation and Culture. Triple “A” Baseball: Market Study, Detailed Site Analysis, Costs and Financial Strategy (Ottawa: The Department, 1989), 6.

5 City of Ottawa. Department of Recreation and Culture. Triple “A” Baseball: Market Study, Detailed Site Analysis, Costs and Financial Strategy (Ottawa: The Department, 1989), 18.