Gee-Gees Announce On Campus Stadium

[ottawaguy]

With their home football field soon to be torn down, the Ottawa Gee-Gees have found new digs.

The Gee-Gees are fast-tracking a plan to build a new permanent home for their football team at the university campus in time for the start of the 2012 OUA season.

The team, which has been using Frank Clair Stadium as its home field, will be displaced next season due to the massive facelift planned for Lansdowne Park.

The property, which the university purchased from Algonquin College, is located at 200 Lees Ave., with direct access to the Lees transit stop and has rapid access to the Queensway.

Athletic director Luc Gelineau said the biggest challenge facing the athletic department is fitting construction of the $8-million facility into a “tight” nine-month schedule. All work on the 3,500-seat field must be completed by the end of August.

The entire budget for the project will be covered by the athletic department.

“We have to get it done by August. It’s quite tight, but that’s the project we have in mind,” said Gelineau. “This facility we’re talking about, (the space) is quite tight, so we will have some stands, but it won’t be a large amount of seating.”

The Gee-Gees currently average a bit more than 5,000 fans for home games, but that number can double with rivalry and playoff games.

Along with the seating capacity, there will be standing room spots planned along the sidelines.

“We’re hoping that once Lansdowne is done, we will continue to play our major games there,” said Gelineau. “We’d like to have our games on campus, but, for example, with the revival of Carleton and the (crosstown rivalry) Panda game, we could play that at Lansdowne.”

The plan still has some hurdles to clear with university administration, and the club is expected to make an announcement shortly laying out details of the construction timeline.

“Nothing has been finalized. We just received approval to move forward, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” said Gelineau. “But we’re converting an empty parking lot into a playing field, which will be a lot better than what’s there at the moment, but there are a few challenges ahead and the deadline is key.”

The Gee-Gees practice field, located at 801 King Edward Ave., was never seriously considered as a temporary site.

“When you look at other universities across the country, they have several playing fields. So having another one for us is not a luxury, it’s a need,” said Gelineau. “The practice field we have right now will keep its function as it is, but extending it to allow us to play football games is not very effective. We don’t have enough security, we’re restricted in the length of the field, and we’re limited by the stands as well.”

http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/11/09/...football-field

[Gornaldatron]

Considering all of the difficulty surrounding the renovation of Lansdowne Park, this seems unusually easy by comparison. Can't complain though, sounds like a good plan. Good job U of Ottawa! Hopefully they leave room to expand the stadium since 3500 doesn't seem big enough for their 5000 average.

[ottawafan]

Great news

Yes Gordnaltron-there is room for expansion. This site is almost 19.5 acres. There are a couple of old buldings on it, but they have been deemed not worth renovating and will come down sometime after 2012.

In fact, I expect that in the coming years a new gymnasium complex will aslo be built there as part of quite a sport complex. The site backs on to the Rideau River and I have heard a suggestion from an official at sport services that it would be a great spot for a boat house for an elite rowing club. Finally things have started to move.

For those not familar with Ottawa--the old Algonquin College site is separated from the main uOttawa site by the 417 highway. You can walk there from the student residences in 15-20 minutes.

A small start--but a giant step in the developement of expanded atheltic facilities at uOttawa.

Inj the meantime the newly rebuilt Lansdowne will eventually be avaialble for major games--Panda-Yates --etc.

[ottawafan]

Another annoucement today---about the sport complex where the Matt Anthony field that the Gee-Gees football practices on. it is now the Minto Sport Complex.

University of Ottawa names new Minto Sports Complex

OTTAWA, November 10, 2011 — The University of Ottawa announced today that its sports facility at 801 King Edward Avenue has been named the Minto Sports Complex in recognition of The Minto Group’s major contribution to the development of the uOttawa campus. That contribution, valued at $2.5 million, enabled the acquisition of the land where the Desmarais Building now stands.
Minto’s support and collaboration have allowed the University of Ottawa to expand strategically its footprint in downtown Ottawa, to establish itself as one of the nation’s capital’s public landmarks and, as a result, to further confirm its position as Canada’s university.
Minto is a leading builder and developer in both Canada and the United States dedicated to delivering superior customer experiences and inspiring places for their many stakeholders to live and work. The company was founded in Ottawa in 1955 and has not only established itself as a leader in design, sustainability and construction excellence, but also as a philanthropic mainstay in the community. Minto’s generous support of the University is aligned with two of their strategic community investment priorities that they consider the foundation of a healthy, active community: education and sports programs.
The University of Ottawa is a cosmopolitan community of close to 45,000 students, faculty and staff who live, work and study in both English and French. At the heart of Canada's capital, uOttawa is one of our country's leading research universities

[GoldenHawkfan]

Great news for Ottawa, very good to hear! After too many years they finally got the stadium they want to help draw out fans more regularly!

But personally it keeps disappointing me when stadiums are built small. It almost seems like there is no thinking big when it comes to CIS sports. We have all these lofty dreams about what CIS football could become but with 3,500 seat stadiums, that just ain't gonna happen.

But that's not just Ottawa let me make that clear it's a trend going on around the OUA as a whole anyways, build small and add extra bleachers when necessary. So I don't mean to diminish this news because it really is great for the university. Well done Ottawa! Looking forward to seeing your new digs!

[ottawafan]

I agree with GHF that the trend towards small is troubling. However, I always expected that uOttawa would start with a small one when they finally decided to build.
It will be a 3500 seater but maybe as many as a 1000 standing spots as well. I wonder if they plan to tier the standing side so that poeple in the back can see over those in front.

I am only speculating here ,but studies have shown that part of the site has contaminated soil. It was a coal storage site in the first half of the 20th century. They may have to dig fairly deep to remove contaminated soil. if so they might opt for a sunken field with slopes around the field.

Carleton will have a 3000 seater when they return in 2013. Hopefully it will become obvious over the years that both need to be expanded. In the meantime it is certain that both unis will use the rebuilt Lansdowne in coming years for rivallry games like the Panda Game and major playoff games, such as the Yates.
However, I do think the next thing Ottawa will build on this site is new gyms for varsity sport. The old Algonquin College buildings on the site will be demolished sometime beyond 2012, making way for new ones.

I was curious about a dome and made some inquiries earlier today. I was told that the plan was to put a dome over the field in winter. This will give uOttawa needed winter training facilities.

[Maple]

Originally Posted by ottawaguy

The Gee-Gees currently average a bit more than 5,000 fans for home games, but that number can double with rivalry and playoff games.


http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/11/09/...football-field

I am sorry, but there is no way that the average attendance for the is 5,000. The projected seating capacity for the new stadium of 3,500 is much closer to the mark.

[ottawafan]

I am sorry, but there is no way that the average attendance for the is 5,000. The projected seating capacity for the new stadium of 3,500 is much closer to the mark.

For most games in recent times 3500 + standing would have been plenty of space. For frosh week when the uni gets many frosh to attend as part of their "party package' it would not have been enough. Last years Yates Cup drew an official attendance of 7200, so not enough.

Games vs Carleton, starting in 2013, where both teams fans attend , 3500 may not be enough. Almost certainly not when that game is a designated Panda Game.

uOttawa with 3500 and Carleton with a 3000 seater can get by for a few years for most games. Fortunately they will have, starting in 2014, Frank Clair stadium to fall back on for these special games I mentioned.

[Big V]

Wait... Carleton is only building 3,000 seats? How do they plan on making money for this million dollar a year operating budget?

[GoldenHawkfan]

So from the sounds of it they're not really relying on their new stadiums then? Is that the general idea? I mean I guess it makes sense but if they wanted to move on campus for the atmosphere to build the fanbase, but kept it so small that when they do draw a decent turnout that decent turnout will get lost in a CFL stadium, does that not seem counterproductive?

Alright once again I'm complaining in a good news thread, I am sorry truly I am glad that Ottawa is getting an on-campus stadium. But I complained a whole lot about MAC as well and as nice as that stadium turned out to be, I still feel they really missed an opportunity there. It is a troubling trend but at least Ottawa and Carelton, and even MAC, have a secondary option nearby for bigger games.

[ottawafan]

Big V asked

Wait... Carleton is only building 3,000 seats? How do they plan on making money for this million dollar a year operating budget

Carletonis not planning to build 3000 seats---Thay have 2000-2500 now at thier stadium, Just going to add a few more for 2013. The university will pay for that

As for money --The Old Crows have five million collected from donors----2.5 million of it from ex-raven John Ruddy.It is NOT an endowment fund. They will spend 1 million a year for five years as the operating budget

During those five years they will work to collect more money and develop an ongoing marketing plan. That plan may include getting the stadium expanded--or moving to Lansdowne after five years--- and finding ongoing sources of revenue.

If the plan works the Ravens will be around for a while. If not , they will collapse. Risky? Probably , but hopefully they can pull it off.

[ottawafan]

GHF wrote

So from the sounds of it they're not really relying on their new stadiums then? Is that the general idea? I mean I guess it makes sense but if they wanted to move on campus for the atmosphere to build the fanbase, but kept it so small that when they do draw a decent turnout that decent turnout will get lost in a CFL stadium, does that not seem counterproductive?

All true--but Ottawa was faced with a dilemna

One--they were told a month ago , by the City,that the new schedule for rebuilding Lansdowne would mean the Gee-Gees would be homeless for two seasons.

Two-the options they have for playing at an exisitng field in Ottawa for those two seasons--all stink.

Three--uOttawa desparately needs another Field Turf Field. Stadium or not they were going to put such a field at Lees Av. They were/are going to dome it for a winter facility.

Four--The above convinced them they needed to do something now--and with only nine months to do it in, adding 3500 seats--and the other items they need- to the planned field at Lees seemed the obvious solution. It will be tight getting it all done by Aug 15, the current goal.

What they do after the two year crunch is open to debate.. As of now. it seems that the ongoing plan is to divide games between the campus and Lansdowne, based on current attndances. If demand for tickets does grow above what the current plan allows--then they will have to decide to move back to Lansdowne for all games or build a better, larger stadium on the Lees site. Being flexible and open to ideas is what they need now. Nothing is set in stone.

[peter.gryphon]

Will the new stadium be bleacher seating? The $8 million budget may be enough to build a "bricks & mortar" stadium but the time frame wouldn't seem to allow for anything more than bleachers. Perhaps there is a fair bit of money built into that $ figure for site remediation. Has anyone produced a preliminary picture of the facility yet?

[ottawaguy]

My understanding is it will be bleachers, but will include a permanent complex for the football team, including locker-room, training centre, meeting rooms, and coaches offices.

[ottawafan]

ottawaguy wrote

My understanding is it will be bleachers, but will include a permanent complex for the football team, including locker-room, training centre, meeting rooms, and coaches offices.

Details are not out , but I think the offices and dressing rooms etc will be built inside the exisiting old Algonquin College buildings. I think thery are still deciding on that.These old buildings will be demolished in the coming years and I think (hope ) a modern gym building put there adjacent to the stadium , so that dressing rooms for soccer and football can also be in that building. Probably looking at ten years before that gets going.
PG's post mentions remedial action. Possibly. At the time uOttawa acquired this old AC site it was determined that one third of the site was contaminated. It was a railroad coal yard in the first half of the 20th century. It is possible that some contaminated earth may have to be removed.

[peter.gryphon]

Originally Posted by ottawafan

ottawaguy wrote


Details are not out , but I think the offices and dressing rooms etc will be built inside the exisiting old Algonquin College buildings. I think thery are still deciding on that.These old buildings will be demolished in the coming years and I think (hope ) a modern gym building put there adjacent to the stadium , so that dressing rooms for soccer and football can also be in that building. Probably looking at ten years before that gets going.
PG's post mentions remedial action. Possibly. At the time uOttawa acquired this old AC site it was determined that one third of the site was contaminated. It was a railroad coal yard in the first half of the 20th century. It is possible that some contaminated earth may have to be removed.

An old coal yard isn't the worst of things to deal with. Likely just requires scraping off the top 10 feet of soil. If its only coal residue it's possible to "hide" the contaminated soil. That is, bury it in the right situation- ie. contain & cover it so there are no run-off / ground water issues. The resulting mound, or mountain, could actually be designed to be a berm on one side of the field (or endzone) providing grassy seating for a couple thousand fans. If that won't work it can be expensive to get rid of the soil. But it sounds like a much better situation than the Harbour front stadium site in Hamilton where remediation could have been multi-millions.

[peter.gryphon]

Another good thing is I see no mention of a track. A football-only facility (I'll include soccer & rugby) is much better than a track & field facility that just happens to have a football field in the middle.

[ottawafan]

PG wrote

That is, bury it in the right situation- ie. contain & cover it so there are no run-off / ground water issues. The resulting mound, or mountain, could actually be designed to be a berm on one side of the field (or endzone) providing grassy seating for a couple thousand fans

Funny--I was thinking the same thing when I read about provisions for standing room.

They are planning to do something similar at Lansdowne. Contaminated soil will be removed from where the new commercial buildings and under ground parking is to be built. It will be moved to the new "urban park" area of Lansdowne--covered and contained--and used as part of the sculpting of this "urban park". I use quotes because that is what they are calling this part of the Lansdowne project.
The rest of the old south side stands at Lansdowne were taken down in the last couple of weeks. They are now just a pile of rubble on the ground waiting to be taken away.

[ottawaguy]

The Dome and $2.9 million in rental fees are headed towards the new stadium.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/11/29/...t-get-new-home