By Mallory Procunier
City councillors and stadium owners are hoping an international design competition for Lansdowne Park and updates to the recently vacated Lynx Stadium will bring life to under used stadiums in Ottawa.
Coun. Clive Doucet, where Lansdowne is located, and Alta Vista Coun. Peter Hume proposed a design competition to city council’s planning and environment committee Sept. 25, where it was passed with unanimous support.
“The goal is a new, implementable design and for the city to move forward,” Doucet says.
The motion will now go before council in November. However, the budget for the project has to be fleshed out before that can happen.
“We have to go to staff to have the terms of the competition established,” Doucet says.
Doucet predicts the budget for the project will be about $350,000.
The Lansdowne makeover could restore the aging and crumbling Frank Clair Stadium as well as the surrounding area, particularly the parking lots and forested region backing on to the Rideau Canal.
The budget will likely contain funding towards the winning design project.
Richard Haycock, general manager for Lansdowne Park, agrees that the makeover is highly in need, and is anticipating the results.
“It’s always great to consider the future of Lansdowne Park and the surrounding community,” Haycock says.
He also says at this stage most ideas are just speculation, but hopes to get the project rolling.
While Lansdowne attempts to get a much needed touchdown with the design idea, the recently vacated Lynx Stadium will be waiting in the outfield to catch the perfect fly ball.
Several proposals have been submitted including the conversion of Lynx Stadium into a $40 million soccer dome.
This would call for demolition of the existing building and a complete rebuild, while simply replacing the retired team would be a simple transition of power.
Other options include a multi-purpose entertainment and sports complex, with an expansion of the existing stadium to include more seating.
There’s also the possibility of a new baseball franchise.
Lorraine Charrette, business administrator for Lynx Stadium, says although there have been several proposals for the vacant field, there is still no concrete plan.
“We are in limbo right now as of what will happen, but there are decisions in the works,” Charrette says.
Part of the decision for the changes was due to the inactivity of the stadium as well as its grounds. Since the end of Lynx baseball on Sept. 4, the stadium has not been used.
Ottawa Centre resident and avid baseball fan Meredith Berriman says she believes a new baseball team would not only draw a fresh crowd of fans but would also rekindle the passion for the game.
“Baseball creates a community and enthusiasm for the city and needs to remain a part of it,” Berriman says.
She added that baseball replaces football in Ottawa, which was once the outlet for sports fans during the hockey off-season.