By Alison Martin
The pen is mightier than the sword.
And that is what is motivating Canadian Football League fans to petition the changes to Lansdowne Park and to resurrect the defunct Ottawa Rough Riders.
The major debate over the future of Lansdowne Park is complicating the revival of the CFL in Ottawa.
The committee is made up of more than a dozen members. It officially launched its campaign on March 28.
“What we’re trying to do is establish the presence of those petitions in as many establishments as we can,” says Micky Green, the chief organizer of the Rough Riders’ petition.
The committee is putting petitions in local restaurants and pubs so fans can put their names on them.
Rick’s Cantina, Peter’s Pantry, Don Cherry’s, Local Heroes, and East Side Mario’s are just some of the local restaurants who are participating.
The reaction to the revival has resulted in hundreds of responses mainly due to the addition of a mailing address, an e-mail address and a fax number.
Green is very optimistic and believes there is a great potential for the community to support the team.
The problem the group foresees is raising the $10 million that is required in order to submit a bid for a CFL franchise. Once the money is raised, the next step is to create a solid business plan, which will attract investors from the corporate community.
Harold Moore, who saw his first football game at Lansdowne Park in 1948, says he is participating in the organization of the petition and football drive because he is a huge Rough Riders’ fan. Moore was a season ticket holder since the ‘60s.
“The first step is not allowing them to tear down Lansdowne Park,” says Moore.
“I think we are well on that way.”
The CFL revoked the Ottawa franchise from Chicago businessman Horn Chen at the end of the 1996 season. The team folded in 1997 because no new investors were found. The Rough Riders team had suffered financially in ticket sales for several years before its demise.
The football revival committee is sure it has been heard by city officials.
Green says the mayor has even shown some reluctance in continuing the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park due to the persistance of football fans.
But some developers have a different sports scheme in mind for the park.
Three development firms have been selected by the city to prepare plans for the site. City officials have told potential developers that the only structures that must remain on the site are the Aberdeen Pavilion and the Horticulture Building.
“We would like to change this into a world- class example of a 21st- century green urban village,” says Ron Keenberg, an architect with IKOY, which is working with Candarel Management and Development Services Inc., one of the three firms.
The proposed active village would operate year round with huge grass lawns, soccer fields, baseball fields and parklands for casual picnics.
In the winter there would be cross-country skiing on the site and skating connecting to the canal.
Although all proposals for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park are due in June, city officials will not make a decision regarding the park until 2001.