Economics Professor: Triple-A or Redevelopment Only Viable Options for Ottawa Ballpark

Redevelopment may be the only viable option for Ottawa’s RCGT Park, home of the Ottawa Champions (Independent Professional, Can-Am League), according to a professor at Concordia University.  Read more here.

Move to Rental Fee Will Keep Champions at Ottawa Stadium for Now

The city of Ottawa (ON) has ended the Ottawa Champions’ (Independent Professional, Can-Am League) lease at the municipal baseball stadium, but a deal has been made so that the team pays a rental fee, just like any other league or team renting city ball fields.  Miles Wolff said the club had been talking with the city for nearly two years about the terms of the 10-year stadium lease to find some way to make it more “livable.”  Under the terms of the original lease, the rent was over $400,000 a year.  The team is reportedly in arrears.  One missing piece to the Champions’ success model is the critical Confederation LRT station that was supposed to open in mid-2018, and it still doesn’t have an opening date set.   Read more here.

Pondering Redevelopment of Ottawa’s Aging Ballpark, Dreaming of MLB Affiliation

Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park has been identified by city staff as one of 20 possible locations to build affordable housing, giving council a clear option of what to do with the aging baseball stadium after the current lease expires.  Read more here.

A Greater Vision for Ottawa Stadium

Ottawa Champions (Independent Professional, Can-Am League) president David Gourlay says he wants to start talking about a larger vision for the Ottawa Stadium property, especially as the city gets closer to starting a light rail system.  Read more here.

Can-Am League Formally Adds Ottawa, Sussex County and Traveling Team

PRESS RELEASE – Can-Am League commissioner Miles Wolff announced on Wednesday that the league has added members in Sussex County, N.J., and Ottawa, Ontario, for the 2015 season.

Can-Am Considers Potential Sixth Franchise

Can-Am League (and American Association) Commissioner Miles Wolff recently talked with TSN 1200 radio about the start-up Ottawa Champions and the three-person ownership group that includes Wolff, David Gourley and Al Ramos.  Through the interview and in a LaPress.ca article, we learn that a suitor with “deep pockets’ and a secured ballpark is seeking an

Wolff Optimistic About Baseball in Ottawa

There is no owner and just one employee, but indy pro Can-Am League commissioner Miles Wolff is optimistic that there will be a baseball team in Ottawa Stadium next year.  Read more here.

Ottawa, Can-Am League Finalize Ballpark Lease

Speaking Wednesday as part of his “State of the City” address, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said the municipality has signed a lease agreement with the indy pro Can-Am baseball league that will see a team play out of the Ottawa Stadium on Coventry Road starting in 2015.  In his own words, the mayor said the following:

“I’m also pleased to announce this morning that we’ve signed a lease agreement with the CanAm League that will see baseball return to Ottawa next year.  We look forward to helping raise awareness and excitement in the months ahead, to ensure the team’s long-term success in our city.”

Read more here.  View lease terms here.