Lansdowne Park

Hello friends!

As promised, I'm going to talk about Lansdowne Park in Ottawa. In the park there was a stadium and other facilities. I'm going to focus on the stadium, but there will be some other things touched upon. 

So, some history. Back before Ottawa was Ottawa, it was known as Bytown. (Bytown became Ottawa in 1855) The then Province of Canada (Ontario) deeded land beside the Rideau Canal for a gathering space and fairground. 

The Central Canada Exhibition was held here annually from 1888-2010 and was named after the Marquess of Lansdowne, who served as Governor General of Canada. 

While in those early years baseball was played here, there were other, sometimes more important things going on. 

The park was used as Mustering grounds for troops during the Boer War, WWI and WWII. 

As well as baseball, Canadian Football, hockey, curling, and skating happened in the arena built at the park. The Ottawa Silver Seven won the Stanley Cup here, back when it was a challenge cup. The Memorial Cup for junior hockey also has been contested here. 

The Football and baseball stadium was Frank Clair Stadium. The Ottawa Giants and Ottawa Athletics both played here. The Ottawa Rough Riders and Renegades used the stadium until 2005 when it was replaced with the current TD Stadium. 

This first picture is what Lansdowne Park looked like in the early years. The Grandstand closest to the water had not been built and there was a track around the football field as well. You can also see some of the other buildings in the park. 

This is from a CFL set. Here both grandstands are built and it's closer to the field than before. 

This was the baseball configuration. It was just in the middle of the grandstand and field. No real "Out of Play" foul area though I wouldn't want to chase a foul ball and run into the goalpost.. 

Another arial view of the park, this time with a dome over the field itself, allowing for use in the winter. (Think the sports domes or golf domes or soccer field domes you might find in colder weather) 

So here was the look at the park that really helped Ottawa baseball from the beginning. Back in the early days when it was Bytown, games were played here. Once there was an established field, there were minor league teams here for a while. Then later on getting Ottawa Stadium and a few more minor league teams. 

It's a shame this city either doesn't want to support, or is hamstrung from supporting, baseball. 

(Maybe a reader from Ottawa area can enlighten me. I'd love to hear it!)