[CCF]

Apparently Ottawa has been granted a conditional expansion franchise.

Can anyone confirm?

[Mille Sabords]

Apparently Ottawa has been granted a conditional expansion franchise.

Can anyone confirm?

You guys in Saskatchewan know more than us here in Ottawa. I don't really follow the CFL since we don't have a team. I'd be surprised if it's true though, we're about to tear down a good chunk of the only stadium where they could play and we don't yet know how and when we're going to rebuild it and under which funding formula. There is supposed to be an international design competition to redevelop all of Lansdowne Park, but the local group who is spearheading Ottawa's CFL bid has come up with a plan of their own and is making their ownership of the team rest on their real estate plan.

[O-Town Hockey]

It's so frustrating how people in Ottawa resist change just for the sake of resisting change. A survey released last week showed that 90% of those questioned stated that they would be completely against Lansdowne moving into private hands. How many of those people actually use Lansdowne Park? What is there to do other than using the sports arena and football stadium which would be better off privately-owned than being run by our cash-strapped city. The park needs to be redone and if it takes a private owner to do so then so be it! I actually really liked many of the aspects of the proposed plan....especially extending some of the waterway from the canal into the park. No one likes a park without a little water. I'm starting to think our city is going down the tubes at the hands of mettling residents who are determined to keep Ottawa in its pre-WWII form for no reason other than nostalgia. Gone are the days that Ottawa is a big city with a small town feel; we are a big city period.

[Danman]

Now lets stop beatting a dead horse when it comes to the CFL in Ottawa.
Its been proven repeatedly that a franchise just cant survive in Ottawa

[CCF]

Well like I said, expect an announcement in the near future. At least that's what I've been hearing. Bad ownership has hurt the CFL in Ottawa, maybe the new guys can make it look like they did the OHL. I don't understand why the CFL can't work in Ottawa. It's a shame that our own Capital city doesn't have a team.

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

:previous: Hey, who knows? Maybe third time is the charm? ;)

[harls]

http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Football/2008/03/19/5047156.html

Ottawa back in CFL Hunt

67's owner reportedly close to deal for expansion football franchise

By The Canadian Press


The CFL is close to completing a deal that would award a conditional expansion franchise to a group led by Ottawa 67’s owner Jeff Hunt, a report says.

The intention would be to have the team begin play in 2010, according to The Globe and Mail.

The deal, which has been in the works for months, was close to completion in recent days and the league had hoped to make an announcement in Ottawa this week

However, that plan was put off when the sides decided they needed more time to complete some details in a letter of intent for the CFL’s ninth franchise to be bought by Hunt and his partners, local developers Roger Greenberg, John Ruddy and William Shenkman.

The deal would be contingent on Hunt’s group securing an arrangement to utilize Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne Park, a complex slated for redevelopment after the southside stands were condemned last fall.

“We are in the middle of a confidential process and I can’t comment,” Hunt told The Globe.

While Hunt and the CFL still have some work to do, the major hurdles have been overcome and both sides are apparently confident the final details can be ironed out

[jeremy_haak]

Well, they've certainly managed the 67s well, and they are already based out of Lansdowne Park. I'm curious to find out what that means for the redevelopment plans. Perhaps they'll just rebuild the lower tier of the south stands.

[O-Town Hockey]

At the same time that they redevelop the Southside stands I really hope that they build a few large parking structures in the interior of the park (i.e. away from the canal and Bank St.). That will make it much easier to redevelop the rest of the park when the time comes. It would be great if the new South stands were lower and wrapped around the endzones to make up for the losses in capacity (much like BMO Field).

http://web.mlsnet.com/t280/imgs/stadium/2006/north_rendering.jpg

I imagine having the stands at the far end of the rendering backing onto Bank Street, underneath which would be stores and restaurants facing out onto the street. There would be plenty of room for a large (decent-looking) 5 storey parking structure in behind the video screen and that would leave then entire Queen Elizabeth side of the park and the area around the Aberdeen Pavillion open for development (I don't call it redevelopment since I don't consider a pothole-ladened parking lot developed).

[Mille Sabords]

Wicked news. Bring back CFL ball.

[DHLawrence]

There's a tentative deal to bring the CFL to Ottawa; one of the conditions is the rebuilding of at least part of the stadium:

From the Ottawa Citizen (http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=05233fd4-a6e7-4a66-bc3c-da66c7eb77b8&k=4098)

[bradnixon]

The CFL coming back is good news... BUT...

Doesn't this sort of circumvent the Lansdowne design competition? It seems like these guys will only bring a franchise if they win the rights to develop Lansdowne. What happens if some other group wins the competition? Will they still bring the team? Or is it all or nothing?

[DC83]

Congrats, guys! I'm very excited to hear this news and can't wait to start playing you guys again! If you guys need a win, the Ti-Cats are always here for ya ;)

[isaidso]

It's time for Ottawa to have pro football again. Let's get Ottawa and hopefully Quebec City in the league for the 100th Grey Cup anniversary!

http://torontoist.com/attachments/toronto_kevinp/2007_11_201976.jpg
http://torontoist.com/attachments/toronto_kevinp/2007_11_201976.jpg
http://www.sixsixsix.ca/Russ%20Jackson-bootleg-th.jpg http://www.sixsixsix.ca/1976%20Grey%20Cup-lines-th.jpg
http://www.sixsixsix.ca/Russ%20Jackson-bootleg-th.jpg
http://www.sixsixsix.ca/1976%20Grey%20Cup-lines-th.jpg

[Mille Sabords]

Thanks for those pictures. I miss those games.

By the way, anyone catch Maria Cook's article yesterday about stadiums? She interviews George Dark, a prominent and much celebrated urban designer from Toronto... and he takes a stand in favour of Kanata! I couldn't believe my eyes. My esteem for the guy just dropped by half.

[d_jeffrey]

Thanks for those pictures. I miss those games.

By the way, anyone catch Maria Cook's article yesterday about stadiums? She interviews George Dark, a prominent and much celebrated urban designer from Toronto... and he takes a stand in favour of Kanata! I couldn't believe my eyes. My esteem for the guy just dropped by half.

Here's the article.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/fp/stadium+matters/1463102/story.html

By the sound of it, he would be AGAINST, if the Scotiabank Place wasn't there. The rest of the comments are that Landsdowne could be much more than a stadium. Can't disagree with that.

[harls]

http://www.ottawasun.com/News/OttawaAndRegion/2009/04/06/9019046-sun.html



Stadium showdown

City report on sports venues expected to reject both

By KENNETH JACKSON, SUN MEDIA


A much-anticipated city report on two rival proposals for a 20,000-seat open-air stadium is set to be released this afternoon and chances are both will be rejected.

College Coun. Rick Chiarelli said yesterday the $100 million taxpayers would be asked to shell out for either bid is just too hard to swallow.

Chiarelli believes some of his colleagues will ask for both unsolicited proposals to be trashed, but he thinks the "best-case scenario" is for both development teams to come up with a better offer.

Chiarelli said both teams presented their offers as if the benefits outweigh the costs.

"It was pretty obvious to us from the start that wasn't the case," he said. "I doubt they would ever lead with their final offer."

COMPLETE REDEVELOPMENT

One proposal, submitted by four local businessmen including Ottawa 67's owner Jeff Hunt, calls for the renovation of Frank Clair Stadium for a CFL football franchise as part of a complete redevelopment of the deteriorating Lansdowne Park. The project, dubbed Lansdowne Live, is pegged at more than $90 million in taxpayer money.

The other, submitted by Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, calls for a soccer-specific stadium near Scotiabank Place in Kanata in the hopes of landing a Major League Soccer franchise. It would cost taxpayers more than $110 million.

The city would need federal and provincial funding to build either of the stadiums.

Mayor Larry O'Brien said at the end of the day something needs to be done with Lansdowne.

"Lansdowne needs fixing that is much is clear. That should be your (headline)," said O'Brien yesterday.

He said the home of the Ottawa 67's, trade shows, a farmers' market and the SuperEx draws a total of about 1.5 million visitors each year.

"It's still serving an important duty for the citizens," he said.

He said there's no clear winner and believes his experience as a businessman can really come into play now.

He wants the city to have all the facts to determine which proposal provides the most value and is most economically suited for the city.

Capital Coun. Clive Doucet believes neither proposal works for the city. He argued it's well-known Scotiabank Place is in the wrong place, so why make the same mistake twice by putting another stadium there. Lansdowne Park, on the other hand, should be treated as a heritage site, not a place for a plan that includes a hotel and shopping mall.

He compared both proposals as two similar bad pitches by suit salesmen who come to your door. One proposal might be better than the other but "do you really need a suit (and) do you really want the suit they're giving you?"

Hunt said today's unveiling of the report is a "milestone" event because it's the first time they'll find out where staff sits on the matter.

He believes his proposal is best because it has the biggest advantage in location and a Kanata stadium doesn't solve any issues with Lansdowne.

When asked what he thought staff might do, Hunt declined to speculate.

"It's really going to come to which proposal makes more sense, which location makes more sense," he said.

Melnyk's team was not available for comment.

Lansdowne Live has the backing of the CFL for a franchise on the condition it has a stadium. Melnyk doesn't have the same guarantee from MLS.

Chiarelli said today's meeting is not about which stadium to pick but about what to do with Lansdowne.

"We may or may not have a decision to make about a stadium," he said.

A final decision is expected by April 22.

KENNETH.JACKSON@SUNMEDIA.CA

[Acajack]

Here's the article.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/fp/stadium+matters/1463102/story.html

By the sound of it, he would be AGAINST, if the Scotiabank Place wasn't there. The rest of the comments are that Landsdowne could be much more than a stadium. Can't disagree with that.


This basing the stadium’s location of the fact that “Scotiabank Place is already there, so may as well...” is completely ludicrous. For starters, the Sens’ rink is already 13 years old, and by current North American arena standards talk of building a new one should start around 10 years from now.

Building on a mistake is no way to correct them and learn from them.

Aside from that argument, the other main point in favour of Kanata I can see is that Lansdowne is on a “small-bore” local road network. As former attendees of Rough Rider and Renegades games can attest (and debated ad nauseam), transport and traffic was never a big issue at Lansdowne when the CFL was there. Probably 90% of soccer stadiums in Europe (with seating capacities similar to Lansdowne) are located precisely in urban neighbourhoods just like the Glebe, as are the most desirable baseball stadiums in the U.S. like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field.

[lrt's friend]

I was a season ticket holder for Rough Riders and Renegades. I never had a problem getting to Lansdowne Park and I always looked forward to the walk before and after the game to where my car was parked. The best experience of all was for the last Grey Cup and the transit setup was excellent. It was fast and efficient.

On the other hand, going to Scotiabank Place is always a pain. I takes so long to get there and back, the traffic is almost always lousy, and for the privilege of getting trapped in one of those parking lots, you have to pay a large fee. I have tried all sorts of alternatives, whether OC Transpo or restaurant shuttles and the experience is no better.

So much for the "small bore local road network" that always worked better for me when compared to the disaster of trying to use the Queensway to Scotiabank Place.

The atmosphere around Lansdowne Park is also far better and it provides a great walking environment. Imagine a Grey Cup victory by the local team at Lansdowne Park versus a Stanley Cup victory at Scotiabank Place. That says it all.

Remember the Red Mile from 2007 and having to locate it half way across the city from where the games were actually taking place. It would have been nice to have those actually attending the games being able to participate in the Red Mile events following a team victory.

[waterloowarrior]

Maria Cook has a lot of great coverage on her blog

http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/designingottawa/default.aspx

[isaidso]

How do you spell dysfunctional? O-t-t-a-w-a C-i-t-y C-o-u-n-c-i-l

Both groups have a reason to be frustrated. City council had 2 proposals before them. They were asked to pick one. That they weren't capable of this basic task sends a very worrisome message about doing business in Ottawa.

Ottawa has been presented with an opportunity to develop key city infrastructure, but city council seem ill equipped to process the information put forth. This isn't a transit or stadium proposition. It's not a $100 million liability for the city either. Some of the comments being made by council suggest a shocking level of incompetence in this important branch of government.

If I were a business owner thinking of expanding to Ottawa, this would give me great reason to reconsider. Ottawa, the city that can't? It's the good people of Ottawa that will suffer in the end, but not over this one issue. It points to a deeper problem; Ottawa City Council are stuck in neutral. They don't seem able to get it done, so should make way for people that can.

[ac888yow]

^ This is nothing new for Ottawa. It's business as usual on Laurier Ave.

See my post in the MLS thread advising Melnyk not to waste any more time and money in this town. The same advice goes for Hunt et al.

[isaidso]

I've always had it stuck in my head that Ottawa was this bastion of sophistication and worldly people. I viewed it as a magnet for intellectuals and academics due to its status as a national capital. I've spent about 10 hours in Ottawa in total so I just assumed it was filled with people like in London or Washington.

All the indications and commentary regarding Ottawa over the last year has led me to conclude quite the opposite. My bubble has been burst. Have all these years as a capital not produced better than this? Good grief!

[lrt's friend]

Exciting cities getting exciting things done depends on visionary entrepreneurs. Capital cities further depend on a federal government who specifically wish to portray them as world class so that their nation's population can take enormous pride in their capital. Unfortunately, Ottawa loses out on both accounts. Ottawa has mostly been dominated by a bureaucratic class trained to study and restudy instead of taking action. The Canadian federal government has also been inconsistent in developing the city in a manner that the whole country can take pride. This is a reflection of the regional nature of Canadian politics, which has resulted in federal politicians trying to deflect blame onto 'Ottawa' for its unpopular actions. It is 'Ottawa' that is doing this or that, trying to get away from having it pinned entirely on the Conservative or Liberal government. This all results in mixed reaction towards the city from the nation's population that further discourages the federal government from wanting to make it great. Then you have the federal ownership of land and their own planning processes which are often at odds with the city. The result is a city that can't make decisions, dependant on the federal government, which only has a lukewarm desire to make it great.

[ac888yow]

^ And here we have two separate sets of visionary entrepeneurs who want to invest in our city, and our civic leaders have effectively told them BOTH to piss off.

And you place no blame on those who actually deserve it. The absolute ineptitude of our civic leaders, from the mayor down to the councillors down to city management, is to blame for the sad state of affairs in this town.

Great cities don't miraculously develop themselves. Hopefully the general population will some day realize that apatheticness toward civic affairs and civic government is no way to build a city they can be proud of.

[bradnixon]

I was a season ticket holder for Rough Riders and Renegades. I never had a problem getting to Lansdowne Park and I always looked forward to the walk before and after the game to where my car was parked. The best experience of all was for the last Grey Cup and the transit setup was excellent. It was fast and efficient.

On the other hand, going to Scotiabank Place is always a pain. I takes so long to get there and back, the traffic is almost always lousy, and for the privilege of getting trapped in one of those parking lots, you have to pay a large fee. I have tried all sorts of alternatives, whether OC Transpo or restaurant shuttles and the experience is no better.

So much for the "small bore local road network" that always worked better for me when compared to the disaster of trying to use the Queensway to Scotiabank Place.

The atmosphere around Lansdowne Park is also far better and it provides a great walking environment. Imagine a Grey Cup victory by the local team at Lansdowne Park versus a Stanley Cup victory at Scotiabank Place. That says it all.

Remember the Red Mile from 2007 and having to locate it half way across the city from where the games were actually taking place. It would have been nice to have those actually attending the games being able to participate in the Red Mile events following a team victory.

:tup: Totally agree.

Even though the #402 from South Keys to SBP worked out well the last time I used it, having to bus or drive across town to join in the post-victory celebrations really SUCKS.

[lrt's friend]

^ And here we have two separate sets of visionary entrepeneurs who want to invest in our city, and our civic leaders have effectively told them BOTH to piss off.

And you place no blame on those who actually deserve it. The absolute ineptitude of our civic leaders, from the mayor down to the councillors down to city management, is to blame for the sad state of affairs in this town.

Great cities don't miraculously develop themselves. Hopefully the general population will some day realize that apatheticness toward civic affairs and civic government is no way to build a city they can be proud of.

Ah, but the allure of 'zero means zero' appeals to the cheapskate in all of us. Doesn't this kind of thinking make every project seem like a waste of tax money especially when the time comes to actually spend the money? The entrepreneurs have done something very dangerous by pushing for a fast decision to spend money, and we are now seeing the results. 'Zero means zero', absolutely not.

Bob Chiarelli may have been far from a great orator, but at least he had a grand vision for transit, intensification and planning in this city and he wasn't afraid to push it forward. The problem, we didn't want him to actually be able to leave a visible 'legacy' to this city, which so many considered a monument to himself. Isn't that a pathetic way of looking at things, and yet, so many voters look down at a politician who might leave something tangible for the future. The question, why would anybody else with a grand vision want to run for office when so many are very petty?

[jitterbug]

While I can understand the frustration of many folks on this board, it's also important to consider the ramifications of making a snap decision on such an important issue. A mistake now will be one that Ottawans will have to live with for decades - like the Palladium mistake (and yes, it was a mistake) of 10 years ago.

While I favour the Lansdowne proposal, it's far from perfect and the City should play hardball with the developers to ensure WE the Citizens of Ottawa get a good deal (for example, not being stuck with costly renovations of ageing buildings 30 years from now). One thing we should avoid is being bamboozled by private land developers who, at the end of the day, are only interested in making money for themselves. City councillors, on the other hand, are supposed to balance city priorities and make informed decisions in the interest of the common good. And if a pro-sports stadium doesn't make it on the list, well, maybe the rest of us need to move on as well. As for the developers leading the two competing proposals, they won't be happy but that doesn't mean they'll quit Ottawa. There's lots of land out there waiting to be developed and money to be made.

As for the Kanata proposal, I believe it's already dead. Melnyk and Leeder should lick their wounds and focus on developing their land without the help of public money to build a stadium that no one really wants or needs.

[waterloowarrior]

I don't think we should be limited to these two options... it's our money that's paying for the stadiums, not Melynk or the other ownership group.. if we think we need to build a stadium to replace Lansdowne it should be on our terms. If they want to build a stadium for their team, why aren't they putting up more money? MLSE paid for almost 1/3 of their field; Whitecaps were planning to pay $70 million for theirs all privately funded IIRC (although now they are going to be at GM Place at least for the first while). Most MLS stadiums (at least in this report) are at least 50% privately funded, many are funded 100% from private sources. (http://www.ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/pec/2009/02-24/8-CSS0013-Document%201%20Appendix%20G%20-%20MLS%20Stadiums.pdf)

The way I see it:

Kanata: Taxpayers pay $100 million, Melnyk builds a mixed use area that was already allowed and planned for, and that he probably was going to build anyways, and gets a free stadium for his team that's better than the Toronto FC's BMO Field, the proposed Whitecaps Stadium, and the Impact's stadium (and he pays less than them). We are still left with the Lansdowne/Civic Centre problem and we have a huge stadium far from most of the city that we need to fill (only 16 home games per year in the MLS, events can't happen in SBP and the soccer stadium at the same time)

Lansdowne: Taxpayers pay $100 million plus all the amenities, extra civic facilities, parking garage etc; developers skip the competitive bidding process and get to build on one of the best sites in the city. 12 home games per year for a team that already failed twice... a winter of indoor golf (could be good practise for the Sens ;) )

[isaidso]

I wish the football proposal was for LeBreton Flats instead. If Ottawa is going to fund a stadium, they should have it built where it makes most sense, not where business owners want it built.

A centrally located stadium is best, but Lansdowne Park might be best left as a market, entertainment/recreation area with no stadium. Doesn't Hunt's hockey team play out of an arena on that site? This shouldn't be decided by variables like that.

Build a football stadium with room for tailgating, and have it built on the Le Breton Flats. What a dynamite football setting that would be!

[lrt's friend]

I wish the football proposal was for LeBreton Flats instead. If Ottawa is going to fund a stadium, they should have it built where it makes most sense, not where business owners want it built.

A centrally located stadium is best, but Lansdowne Park might be best left as a market, entertainment/recreation area with no stadium. Doesn't Hunt's hockey team play out of an arena on that site? This shouldn't be decided by variables like that.

Build a football stadium with room for tailgating, and have it built on the Le Breton Flats. What a dynamite football setting that would be!

Come on! First, it will be at Bayview, not on federally owned Lebreton Flats. If it goes there, most people will have to arrive by transit, and we need to get our act together concerning rapid transit before this will be successful. Second, tailgating is not a Canadian tradition, and with limited parking, it is not likely to occur anyways.

I also think we have to remember that Lansdowne Park has always been used for city-wide events, whether sporting events, the exhibition and trade shows. It is sounding more and more like we want to convert into a deluxe facility mainly used by people living in the Glebe. What else will it be once we dump most of its current uses?

[isaidso]

Come on! First, it will be at Bayview, not on federally owned Lebreton Flats. If it goes there, most people will have to arrive by transit, and we need to get our act together concerning rapid transit before this will be successful. Second, tailgating is not a Canadian tradition, and with limited parking, it is not likely to occur anyways.

I also think we have to remember that Lansdowne Park has always been used for city-wide events, whether sporting events, the exhibition and trade shows. It is sounding more and more like we want to convert into a deluxe facility mainly used by people living in the Glebe. What else will it be once we dump most of its current uses?

People will have to arrive by transit no matter where you build a stadium. Le Breton Flats is centrally located, and has room to build some parking. If you look at aerial shots of the area on Google, there's considerably more room here than at other central locales. It's a suitable area to develop this way, and is located close to Parliament Hill with Quebec just across the river.

Tailgating isn't an Ontario tradition is a more accurate statement. There's a big ole country beyond the Ontario line. Making a day of it is a football tradition in other parts of the country. There's a reason people make a day out of a football game with half time shows, marching bands, tailgating, pep rallies, etc: it's fun. Maybe Ottawans/Ontarians will begin to realize that if they partake in it.

Lansdowne may be the traditional grounds for Ottawans to meet, but should that dictate that other areas can't be developed also? All places evolve as cities grow. Keep Lansdowne as a place where people congregate for city wide events, but by encouraging the farmer's markets, adding an aquarium, and using it for other recreational pursuits. How about an aquatics centre with a proper Olympic sized pool?

Ottawa is big enough to have two places like this. It's not a small pokey little town any more, even though some people still think of Ottawa in those terms.

I'm not discounting Bayview, but would you make your case for it. I'm open to it.

[KHOOLE]

Hundreds of pages for the Lansdowne Partnership Agreement has been released (see Ottawa.ca)

In it, there is a separate partnership for the stadium with the Lansdowne Stadium Limited Partnership registered in Manitoba. Why Manitoba?

http://ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/csedc/2012/10-02/07c%20-%20Stadium%20Lease.pdf

Are the Blue Bombers involved? That's David Asper, isn't it?

[waterloowarrior]

this article talks about some benefits of a limited partnership in Manitoba
http://www.tdslaw.com/newsletter/2010/June/articles/A_Primer_on_Manitoba_Limited_Partnerships.pdf

[phil235]

this article talks about some benefits of a limited partnership in Manitoba
http://www.tdslaw.com/newsletter/2010/June/articles/A_Primer_on_Manitoba_Limited_Partnerships.pdf

Not that I've looked at this in any depth, but the information in that article would imply that the Manitoba registration is for the benefit of the City as a non-active partner, not OSEG.

[KHOOLE]

Not that I've looked at this in any depth, but the information in that article would imply that the Manitoba registration is for the benefit of the City as a non-active partner, not OSEG.

Is the City of Ottawa a partner in the Lansdowne Stadium Limited Partnership? Who are the partners anyway?

If the City is a shareholder in a business operation registered in Manitoba, that information should be out in the open and freely available. It would be similar to the City, registered under the Ontario Municipal Act, operating under the Ontario Business Corporations Act.

I will certainly stand for correction but, from what I understand from the Primer on Manitoba Limited Partnerships cited above, a Limited Partnership is a partnership that operates like a Limited Company.

That is , if a partner deals with a third party in the name of the partnership (for example, borrowing money) and such partner defaults, the other partners are not liable for his debts. This way, the one with the least assets can borrow for everybody else and these would not be liable if he defaults.

For example, Jeff Hunt could borrow a bundle for the partnership's new CFL team. If the team folds after a few years, only Jeff Hunt would be liable ???

I'm not a lawyer. I'm not an accountant. Please tell me I'm wrong. :shrug:

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

if Jeff Hunt borrows a lot of money and the team folds , only Jeff hunt would be liable for the money?

If that is the reason for registering the limited partnership in Manitoba , then it would reduce the risk for the taxpayers of The City of Ottawa . They would not be stuck with OSEGs debts if it ever came to that. Sounds like a good reason why the City would want to register it in Manitoba instead of Ontario.

[KHOOLE]

if Jeff Hunt borrows a lot of money and the team folds , only Jeff hunt would be liable for the money?

If that is the reason for registering the limited partnership in Manitoba , then it would reduce the risk for the taxpayers of The City of Ottawa . They would not be stuck with OSEGs debts if it ever came to that. Sounds like a good reason why the City would want to register it in Manitoba instead of Ontario.


If Jeff Hunt folds and his partners walk away from the football venture, what happens to the two stadia that will remain empty and unused all over again?

Ottawa is paying the bill for the renovation of the Frank Clair Stadium and building a new one on the South side. Apparently, that's $300 millions of taxpayers dollars over 30 years.

These are high-end legal and accounting manoeuvres done by experts.

Most of us are probably out of that field. How about our elected representatives sitting at City Council? What's their level of expertise?

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

If Jeff Hunt folds and his partners walk away from the football venture, what happens to the two stadia that will remain empty and unused all over again?

Ottawa is paying the bill for the renovation of the Frank Clair Stadium and building a new one on the South side. Apparently, that's $300 millions of taxpayers dollars over 30 years.

These are high-end legal and accounting manoeuvres done by experts.

Most of us are probably out of that field. How about our elected representatives sitting at City Council? What's their level of expertise?

That is another issue . Registering in Manitoba is probably just meant to address the debt by one of the partner iisues. it is what it is and not meant to solve all potential issues.

About the level of expertise of City council--pretty low, always has been and always will be. One can not expect city councillors to be experts in all fields. The electorate could choose to elect 24 twenty years olds , all with a grade 10 education and work experience as fast food servers only. It would be perfectly legal and democratic under our system.

Only if we could handpick councillors for thier various expertise will this change. I suppose council is supposed to rely on experts like the City Solicitor for guidance.

Certainly not perfect, but what other method should we use? Is perfection in our governemnt actually attainable?

[phil235]

Is the City of Ottawa a partner in the Lansdowne Stadium Limited Partnership? Who are the partners anyway?

If the City is a shareholder in a business operation registered in Manitoba, that information should be out in the open and freely available. It would be similar to the City, registered under the Ontario Municipal Act, operating under the Ontario Business Corporations Act.

I will certainly stand for correction but, from what I understand from the Primer on Manitoba Limited Partnerships cited above, a Limited Partnership is a partnership that operates like a Limited Company.

That is , if a partner deals with a third party in the name of the partnership (for example, borrowing money) and such partner defaults, the other partners are not liable for his debts. This way, the one with the least assets can borrow for everybody else and these would not be liable if he defaults.

For example, Jeff Hunt could borrow a bundle for the partnership's new CFL team. If the team folds after a few years, only Jeff Hunt would be liable ???

I'm not a lawyer. I'm not an accountant. Please tell me I'm wrong. :shrug:

Good point. I don't know if the structure has changed, but the City was a partner in the first iteration.

Limited partnerships are not like limited companies. Shareholders have no liability for the company's debts in a limited company. A limited partnership needs a general partner who is fully liable for debts. Then again, the general partner can be a limited company, so the end result is largely the same. This may be an LLP, which is more like a limited companies, but I'm not sure on that.

In any event, if the City is a partner, it is certainly in its best interests to limit its legal liability. There is nothing stopping it from putting in money to cover a loss if it chooses to do so. It just doesn't want to be legally compelled.

Those advocating for taxpayers' rights (personally I prefer being referred to as a "citizen" rather than a "taxpayer") should be all in favour of this type of limitation of the City's liability.

[jeremy_haak]

OSEG is soliciting ideas for the new CFL and NASL team names: http://www.nameourteams.com/

[Kitchissippi]

The Ottawa Filibusters!

"A procedure where an individual extends debate, allowing a lone member to delay or entirely prevent a proposal" — sounds rather appropriate for Lansdowne :D

[jeremy_haak]

Hah!

I proposed the Voyageurs and Rapids.

[McC]

...Rapids.

what? no "z"?

I was sad to learn that the expansion agreement not only precluded the name "Roughriders" but also anything to do with "Riders", so my preference for the football team: "Black Riders" is out, too.

I think it would have been so awesome to have a stadium full of fans singing this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1qyN6VZ4fQ. Of course we don't actually sing anthems at our games, we just do what the scoreboard tells us to do, and listen patiently to the same trite song selection (played too loudly to sing along anyhow), in the same order, after every stoppage of play. Honestly, is there anything more boring than the way they "engage" the crowd at Senators games? Uh oh, I feel like I'm starting to sound like Andrew Cohen here. Next thing you know I'll be grumbling about standing ovations at the NAC.

[jeremy_haak]

what? no "z"?

I was sad to learn that the expansion agreement not only precluded the name "Roughriders" but also anything to do with "Riders", so my preference for the football team: "Black Riders" is out, too.

I think it would have been so awesome to have a stadium full of fans singing this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1qyN6VZ4fQ. Of course we don't actually sing anthems at our games, we just do what the scoreboard tells us to do, and listen patiently to the same trite song selection (played too loudly to sing along anyhow), in the same order, after every stoppage of play. Honestly, is there anything more boring than the way they "engage" the crowd at Senators games? Uh oh, I feel like I'm starting to sound like Andrew Cohen here. Next thing you know I'll be grumbling about standing ovations at the NAC.

I was considering the possibility of Rough Rapids as a bit of a tribute to the old name without using the Riders.

Also, since you brought it up, standing ovations for something mediocre annoys me. It becomes an obligation, and now the only way a performer knows the performance was truly exceptional is if they have to come out for half a dozen standing ovations. Which is ridiculous.

[Acajack]

what? no "z"?

.

I hate names that have deliberate spelling mistakes in them.

In the case of this market Rapidz is also not the best choice because it makes somewhat illogical to refer to the team as the Rapides (pronounced the French way), like the Senators are always referred to as the Sénateurs.

[Acajack]

Hah!

I proposed the Voyageurs and Rapids.

Two good choices.

My money would be on the Rapids.

Voyageurs is an awesome name too but I am not sure it is 100% sellable across all segments of the market OSEG is targeting.

[McC]

I hate names that have deliberate spelling mistakes in them.

In the case of this market Rapidz is also not the best choice because it makes somewhat illogical to refer to the team as the Rapides (pronounced the French way), like the Senators are always referred to as the Sénateurs.

It was a joke; am I the only one who remembers these guys? http://ottawarapids.com/ funnily enough they were actually supposed to be brought back for another season and renamed the "Voyageurs," but that never happened

[kilroy]

Stupid STUPID suggestions.

Rapids? What the hell is that? Oh boy, a bunch of waves, yay. Besides, would you want to associate your company with one that FAILED miserably?

Voyageurs? What are they, a bus company? Yeah, not going to happen.

Look, OSEG asked for suggestions, not a poll, and not a vote. They aren't going to pick the most popular, as Jeff Hunt stated this morning on the radio, they'll pick or MAKE UP ONE that they feel is the most likely to help the franchise succeed. In other words, which is the best to market and which will be most likely to help build an audience for a new franchise. And cRapids or Voyageurs AIN'T it, my friends. Speaking as an experienced marketing professional, both of those are either:

1.) Associated with another company
2.) Associated with FAILURE
3.) Lame, Lame, and more lame.

They've also got to consider logos. What's the logo for Rapids, a bunch of squiggly lines? Great. Should the Voyageurs be Dave Foley and Kevin Macdonald in fur hats (if you don't get that, nevermind), boy that'd sell like HOT CAKES!

The facination with local history in the team's name is just mind bogglingly stupid. How many Lions are in BC? Or Eskimos in Edmonton. Or... I could go on and on.

We KNOW the colours are Black, Red and White. That's a given, by ownership and THAT'S the history connection. It's the original colours of the Ottawa Athletic Club WAAAAAAAAAAY back in 1890's. The name is just to bring... panache. Or cool factor, or awesome... you know.

[McC]

Wow, you're making a real jackass of yourself.

Welcome to the forum.

You're welcome.

[jeremy_haak]

I don't think anyone suggested it was a vote or contest.

[matty14]

How many Lions are in BC?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lions_%28peaks%29

Specifically:

The city's BC Lions CFL football team is also named in their honour.

The Toronto Argonauts are named after a local rowing club from the late 19th century. The Alouettes are named after a popular French-Canadian children's song. The Stampeders are named after a local... well, stampede.

Speaking as an experienced marketing professional

I'm finding this hard to believe.

Please, since you're SO experienced and SO professional, what are some team names YOU think would work? Or are you just here to puff your chest out and tell us how wrong we all are?

[kevinbottawa]

Kilroy, just took the fun out of this thread. Remind me not to sit next to him during games.

[Acajack]

Stupid STUPID suggestions.

Rapids? What the hell is that? Oh boy, a bunch of waves, yay. Besides, would you want to associate your company with one that FAILED miserably?

Voyageurs? What are they, a bus company? Yeah, not going to happen.

Look, OSEG asked for suggestions, not a poll, and not a vote. They aren't going to pick the most popular, as Jeff Hunt stated this morning on the radio, they'll pick or MAKE UP ONE that they feel is the most likely to help the franchise succeed. In other words, which is the best to market and which will be most likely to help build an audience for a new franchise. And cRapids or Voyageurs AIN'T it, my friends. Speaking as an experienced marketing professional, both of those are either:

1.) Associated with another company
2.) Associated with FAILURE
3.) Lame, Lame, and more lame.

They've also got to consider logos. What's the logo for Rapids, a bunch of squiggly lines? Great. Should the Voyageurs be Dave Foley and Kevin Macdonald in fur hats (if you don't get that, nevermind), boy that'd sell like HOT CAKES!

The facination with local history in the team's name is just mind bogglingly stupid. How many Lions are in BC? Or Eskimos in Edmonton. Or... I could go on and on.

We KNOW the colours are Black, Red and White. That's a given, by ownership and THAT'S the history connection. It's the original colours of the Ottawa Athletic Club WAAAAAAAAAAY back in 1890's. The name is just to bring... panache. Or cool factor, or awesome... you know.

OK, how about the Ottawa Bievers, then? And if you pronounce the V the Spanish way, it sort of sounds like a B! Even more cool, awesome, panache-y!

[Kitchissippi]

Stupid STUPID suggestions.

We KNOW the colours are Black, Red and White. That's a given, by ownership and THAT'S the history connection. It's the original colours of the Ottawa Athletic Club WAAAAAAAAAAY back in 1890's. The name is just to bring... panache. Or cool factor, or awesome... you know.

Let's see. Black, Red and White...hmmm...how about:

The Ottawa Wounded Zebras? (kinda goes with the Lions and the Tigercats, they have to have something to feed on)

The Ottawa Ink-on-the-Constitution Spoilers? (oops too historical)

The Ottawa Suns? The Ottawa Citizens? (what, they're black and white and read all over)

[jeremy_haak]

Let's see. Black, Red and White...hmmm...how about:

The Ottawa Wounded Zebras? (kinda goes with the Lions and the Tigercats, they have to have something to feed on)

The Ottawa Ink-on-the-Constitution Spoilers? (oops too historical)

The Ottawa Suns? The Ottawa Citizens? (what, they're black and white and read all over)

The Ottawa Citizens reminds me of the Greendale Human Being. :haha:

[O-Town Hockey]

The Ottawa Citizens reminds me of the Greendale Human Being. :haha:

http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/rr301/juitpower/pa%20joder/royal-blue-community-flag-e-pluribus-anus-women-s-t-shirts_design.png

The team name definately needs an "R" so I'm going with the Raging Homers.

[lrt's friend]

The Rabblerousers.

but still my favourite, the Red Coats, certainly representative of our early military history, our earliest settlers in Richmond who were veterans of the War of 1812 and we could have bright red jerseys and the traditional black helmets with the 'R'. We will still be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 when we are launching the team so that can be taken advantage of.

There would be all kinds of marketing possibilities based on our military heritage, which could have a special appeal in the Upper Ottawa valley and I could see fans having fun dressing up just as Senators' fans dress up as Roman centurians.

[MolsonExport]

Ruf Reyders

[matty14]

but still my favourite, the Red Coats

That would never fly, the francos would cause a sh*tstorm.

Edit: what I meant to say is that I was under the impression that glorifying the culture of colonial English warfare might seem offensive to some french people. Yes I know some of our cultural uniforms are based on red coats but who knows perhaps some french are offended by those two. From what I've seen in the discussion about the team name, it is my understanding that a name that is inclusive of both French and English heritage is preferred. I just thought the idea of "Red Coats" would be counterintuitive to that.

Anyways I guess my post was considered offensive because of the words I used. My bad.

[Kitchissippi]

Funny how we went through this discussion exactly three years ago: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/archive/index.php/t-175924.html

I went into OSEG's website and plugged in my suggestions from back then. For the CFL, I think Raftsmen is good, it captures the meaning of the original Rough (water) Riders, starts with an 'R", and could be stereotypically pictured wearing red, black and white plaid. It's also a term used in French, as in one of the few truly Ottawan folk songs "Laissez passer les Raftsmen (Bing sur la ring, bing bang!)" (http://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/french/lesrafts.htm) (They even play that song as far down as Tennessee (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhE43tvMMuI) :)

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwciW0zWf6JLxUeuUwBe6LUnSG13h4xjXu_ygxWyxTVYcn2RwXyRrmer2a

For the NASL, I put in Sappers, after the Royal Sappers and Miners who were instrumental in building the canal which is right beside the stadium. Their uniforms were also red black and white.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ39XSVbAJoYC6INuov6_wEqYUrr5cvARN7IZRZDjfTbY8tocmHNEN99OliIQ

[jeremy_haak]

And everyone could wear red plaid shirts to the game. I like it!

[J.OT13]

Raftsmen, hands down.

[lrt's friend]

That would never fly, the francos would cause a sh*tstorm.

Are you suggesting that francophones are offended by the ceremonial uniforms of the RCMP and the Governor General's Foot Guards, which are direct descendants of the original Red Coats?

I guess I am not sufficiently culturally sensitive, but I was always under the impression that the term 'Red Coat' was negative to Americans rather than francophones.

[McC]

Are you suggesting that francophones are offended by the ceremonial uniforms of the RCMP and the Governor General's Foot Guards, which are direct descendants of the original Red Coats?

I guess I am not sufficiently culturally sensitive, but I was always under the impression that the term 'Red Coat' was negative to Americans rather than francophones.

I don't think they'd be any more offensive than matty14's post.

[GORDBO]

Whatever there going to be called, as a bomber fan, I look forward to seeing Ottawa
finnaly getting back in the loop where they belong! Also hope cities like Halifax and Kelowna
get teams in the near future. [had to say Kelowna, as it is my hometown]

[McC]

Quebec City

[Postmaster]

I really don't think Red Coats would offend any francophones here. I don't think it's the best name mind you. I'm starting to like Raftsmen more and more. It represents a lot of what this city was built on.

[matty14]

I don't think they'd be any more offensive than matty14's post.

What I meant by "francos" was the hyper-sensitive militant language/culture police that insist on foisting everything French upon all of us, not the average French-Canadian citizen, who are a vital part of our culture.

Anyways, I apologize for the improper use of that word, and before this thread descends in to political chaos I'll keep it on track by voicing my support for Raftsmen. Really evocative of the timber trade which was vitally important to the area around the time of our founding fathers. The only problem I might see with "Raftsmen" is, is that not a nickname for the Argonauts? I know "Boatmen" is but I feel like I've heard Raftsmen before too.

[Acajack]

Quebec City

Yes, the ceremonial guards at the Citadelle in Quebec City are from the Royal 22e Régiment and wear red coats and bearskin hats.

[Acajack]

What I meant by "francos" was the hyper-sensitive militant language/culture police that insist on foisting everything French upon all of us, not the average French-Canadian citizen, who are a vital part of our culture.

.

Hmm. Not likely to make up a significant portion of the target market for an Ottawa CFL club.

[McC]

Yes, the ceremonial guards at the Citadelle in Quebec City are from the Royal 22e Régiment and wear red coats and bearskin hats.

Oh, I meant Quebec City in reply to GORDBO's post about cities that should have CFL teams. I think previous iterations of the CFL in Ottawa would envy the attendance at Rouge et Or games, and that a QC team would be a good addition to the League.

[JeffB]

Oh, I meant Quebec City in reply to GORDBO's post about cities that should have CFL teams. I think previous iterations of the CFL in Ottawa would envy the attendance at Rouge et Or games, and that a QC team would be a good addition to the League.

Ottawa fans would envy the success the Rouge et Or have had as well. Laval has seven championships in their first 17 seasons. The Riders and Renegades did not having a winning record after 1979.

Winning may not be everything in selling pro sports, but it sure does help.

[JeffB]

The only problem I might see with "Raftsmen" is, is that not a nickname for the Argonauts? I know "Boatmen" is but I feel like I've heard Raftsmen before too.

I don't recall ever hearing them referred to as the Raftsmen. But I don't know that we would want to have a team name that similar (in word or theme) to the Toronto team anyways. If Toronto sports fans aren't arrogant enough, to have them think we are copying the name will make some of them intolerable.

[jeremy_haak]

I like the idea of Raftsmen more every time I read it. I think any link that could be made to the Argonauts is pretty tenuous. It's also a pretty unique name as far as team names go.

[Acajack]

I like the idea of Raftsmen more every time I read it. I think any link that could be made to the Argonauts is pretty tenuous. It's also a pretty unique name as far as team names go.

Agreed. Many leagues have multiple bird names, or multiple feline names...

[KHOOLE]

I like the idea of Raftsmen more every time I read it. I think any link that could be made to the Argonauts is pretty tenuous. It's also a pretty unique name as far as team names go.

Not only it's unique but it also has both historical and social relevance on both sides of the Ottawa River and up the Gatineau River.

So much so that Hull (aka Gatineau) had a popular Raftsmen festival some 50 years ago.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19740215&id=R6IyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iOwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5280,357461
(note the ad for Minto Homes in Beacon Hills !)

In those days there was also a popular tavern + entertainment + restaurant called Les Raftsmen on St.Joseph Blvd that was the "in" place to be on any weekend night and all the days in between. It still exist, albeit now more of a restaurant. That place and its name has history that is concurrent to the Rough Riders days.

Fan loyalty is much more about feelings that winning games. Fans are loyal if they can relate to a sport, a team, players or a name. That's something that money can't buy.

The Renegades tried to promote themselves across the river but who would care for a team with a name that sounds like Gatorade? Considering that Gatineau and Orléans has 25% of the regional population and potentially 25% of the fan base, Jeff Hunt and company would be foolish to pass up on a name that the entire region, eastern Ontario, the Ottawa Valley and western Québec can identifiy itself with.

"Red Coats" is a no-go. It would be translated to "Les Rouges" in french and that's an inference to the Liberal Party from way back when they were anti-establishment Reformers. Catholic bishops used to preach "l'enfer est rouge, le ciel est bleu" when referring to Liberals and Conservatives.

As far for the soccer team, I think that "Algonquins" would be a good name. We have Algonquin College, there is an Algonquin Park, an Algonquin Brewery and eastern Ontario is former Algonquin land.

Soccer fans are of the multi-ethnic kind. They come from all over the world. In fact, the game is called football all over the world except in the US and Canada. A soccer team's name should then be of a kind that avoids a WASPish or even a Causasian European inference. Using the name of a First Nation would be more acceptable to say, people with an asian, hispanic or middle-eastern background.

[O-Town Hockey]

I suspect the NASL team will end up being called the Fury. The developmental and women's semi-pro programs are well-established. The youth teams could act as a feeder for the pros.

Raftsmen is not bad. I used to enjoy going to the bar in Gatineau when I was under-age. I would go there if the casino rejected me :tup:.

Oh, I meant Quebec City in reply to GORDBO's post about cities that should have CFL teams. I think previous iterations of the CFL in Ottawa would envy the attendance at Rouge et Or games, and that a QC team would be a good addition to the League.

This comment frustrates me. Ottawa CFL franchises have enjoyed average or above-average attendance every year except for the two years where the team was known to be folding at the end of the season. You can't blame fans for not coming when we already had word that our team was leaving town. We never lost our teams due to poor fan support but due to bad foreign ownership. The Rouge et Or stadium seats under 13000 and they did not sell out every game this year. In comparison, here are the Ottawa CFL franchises' attendance (years in which the team was known to be folding in italics) starting in 1990:

1990- 23647
1991- 23479
1992- 24345
1993- 20026
1994- 19409
1995- 21101
1996- 16847
2002- 23776
2003- 23378
2004- 23050
2005- 18489

[KHOOLE]

I suspect the NASL team will end up being called the Fury. The developmental and women's semi-pro programs are well-established. The youth teams could act as a feeder for the pros.

Raftsmen is not bad. I used to enjoy going to the bar in Gatineau when I was under-age. I would go there if the casino rejected me :tup:.



This comment frustrates me. Ottawa CFL franchises have enjoyed average or above-average attendance every year except for the two years where the team was known to be folding at the end of the season. You can't blame fans for not coming when we already had word that our team was leaving town. We never lost our teams due to poor fan support but due to bad foreign ownership. The Rouge et Or stadium seats under 13000 and they did not sell out every game this year. In comparison, here are the Ottawa CFL franchises' attendance (years in which the team was known to be folding in italics) starting in 1990:

1990- 23647
1991- 23479
1992- 24345
1993- 20026
1994- 19409
1995- 21101
1996- 16847
2002- 23776
2003- 23378
2004- 23050
2005- 18489

I'm not sure what your point is but you should consider that the Rouge et Or is a Université de Laval team. If you intend to compare attendance, you should compare Rouge et Or to the Gees Gees.

Québec City has a population a bit over half a million and 13,000 attending a university game is pretty good, I would think.
Ottawa has two main universities and Carleton no longer has a football team (for now) and there is a university also in Gatineau. So it's hard to compare.

However, your numbers for the last 8 to 10 years for CFL in Ottawa indicates an average of 23,000+ . With the Ottawa area having a population of 1.25 million or so, which is 2.5 times that of Q.C., we should now have an average attendance of 32,500.

Can we make it?

[Zach6668]

Yeah, it doesn't work like that. It's not linear.

I've never been to Quebec City, but I'd wager there are far fewer comparable/substitutable entities competing for your entertainment dollars than there are in Ottawa.

[jeremy_haak]

And O-Town Hockey's comment was in response to the point that an Ottawa CFL franchise would envy the attendance Laval gets, which is silly since they have less attendance than past incarnations of the CFL in Ottawa.

[Acajack]

Yeah, it doesn't work like that. It's not linear.

I've never been to Quebec City, but I'd wager there are far fewer comparable/substitutable entities competing for your entertainment dollars than there are in Ottawa.

There is a lot of stuff going on in Quebec City. It punches above its weight.

The Rouge et Or draw well because Quebecers in general like to support "local" stuff in general, and sports is a part of that.

[KHOOLE]

There is a lot of stuff going on in Quebec City. It punches above its weight.

The Rouge et Or draw well because Quebecers in general like to support "local" stuff in general, and sports is a part of that.

The same argument goes for the City of Gatineau and western Quebec. If CFL is to succeed in the area, it has to attract the quarter million or more that live on the left bank of the Ottawa River and that means to provide a package that is appealing to everyone in the Central Canada area, just like the Ottawa Ex used to be.

A team name like Raftsmen and a few French names in the administration, even if token names, would help a lot in the public perception of things.

[Acajack]

The same argument goes for the City of Gatineau and western Quebec. If CFL is to succeed in the area, it has to attract the quarter million or more that live on the left bank of the Ottawa River and that means to provide a package that is appealing to everyone in the Central Canada area, just like the Ottawa Ex used to be.

A team name like Raftsmen and a few French names in the administration, even if token names, would help a lot in the public perception of things.

Yeah, the challenge for the Ottawa CFL club in Gatineau will be for it to be perceived as "local".

[Shinook]

Hopefully the third time's a charm, guys!

[KHOOLE]

Yeah, the challenge for the Ottawa CFL club in Gatineau will be for it to be perceived as "local".

I'm pretty sure that if Jeff Hunt and his boys do not play their cards right and do not try to attract the "local" fans as well working through the Ottawa changing demographics of the past 20 years, the CFL team will be a bust after 4-5 years and we will be stuck with a stadium that our grandkids will be still be paying for in 2052.

The Gatineau crowd of whatever language love football and always did. Their preference for the Alouettes versus the Argonauts may very much have to do with the fact that the Rough Riders no longer exist and Montreal is closer.

Has any market research been done by OSEG?

[lrt's friend]

To those who favour Raftsmen, exactly how would we abbreviate it and cheer?

Go Rafts Go is awkward to say and makes you think of an inflatable boat and worse may lead to Go Rats Go

[Kitchissippi]

To those who favour Raftsmen, exactly how would we abbreviate it and cheer?

Like the Montreal Canadiens who are known as the "Habs" (short for habitant), the Raftsmen could be known as the "Dravs" for draveur which actually comes from log driver. So, "Go Dravs Go!"

[Acajack]

I'm pretty sure that if Jeff Hunt and his boys do not play their cards right and do not try to attract the "local" fans as well working through the Ottawa changing demographics of the past 20 years, the CFL team will be a bust after 4-5 years and we will be stuck with a stadium that our grandkids will be still be paying for in 2052.

Well, Ottawa and environs in Ontario have a million people, so a CFL team can survive there with little or no support from the Outaouais side. Of course, it would still be a shame to have a market of 300,000+ right next door and not capitalize on it.



The Gatineau crowd of whatever language love football and always did. Their preference for the Alouettes versus the Argonauts may very much have to do with the fact that the Rough Riders no longer exist and Montreal is closer.
Has any market research been done by OSEG?

It has more to do with language and identity issues than geographic proximity. The Senators are much closer to Gatineau than the Canadiens and yet the Habs are more popular than the Sens by a two-to-one margin at least, maybe even 3-to-1.

Even when the Rough Riders (and Renegades) were there the Outaouais region was always much more Alouettes territory than Rough Riders territory. The games where the Riders sold the most tickets on the Quebec side by far were those against Montreal, and there was a good chunk of the crowd at Lansdowne cheering for the Alouettes.

[MountainView]

To those who favour Raftsmen, exactly how would we abbreviate it and cheer?

Go Rafts Go is awkward to say and makes you think of an inflatable boat and worse may lead to Go Rats Go

Let's Go Raftsmen!!!

Here we go Raftsmen here we go!

Although I do prefer the GO *insert team name* GO chant. I think most chants will be football oriented like "Defense! Defense!"

[McC]

Ottawa 'Rush' in contention as CFL team name

CBC News
Posted: Dec 14, 2012 7:56 AM ET
Last Updated: Dec 14, 2012 7:51 AM ET

The Ottawa Rush is in the running as a possible name for the capital's new Canadian Football League team, but one of the owners of the team said it's only one of a number of names in contention.

Variations on the "Rush" name were submitted for trademark before the launch of a public contest to name the team.

But Ottawa 67's owner and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group partner Jeff Hunt said the team has registered a number of names as part of the process.

"In our name-the-team campaign it was a name submitted multiple times, and one of the things you have to be concerned about when you are looking at new names is getting web domains and making sure trademarks are clear," said Hunt.

"So it's not just about finding a name that's appropriate but finding a name we can register and trademark," he said, who said the team began registering names weeks before the campaign launched.

Hunt said thousands of potential names have been submitted to the website. The naming contest runs until Sunday.

The Ottawa Rush name could potentially preserve the legendary 'R' that once adorned the helmets of the Ottawa Rough Riders — the longtime franchise that folded in 1996.

Hunt said many of the names submitted had also tried to preserve the R, including names like River Rats and Raftsman.

The new team name is expected to be decided and announced early in the new year.

Ottawa's latest CFL franchise will take the field in the 2014 season.
What do you think of 'The Ottawa Rush' as a potential name for the city's CFL franchise?

o Hate it.
o I'm indifferent.
o Love it.



http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2012/12/14/ottawa-rush-proposed-cfl-team-name.html

Blerg.

Rally team Raftsmen!

[McC]

although I did like this tweet in response to the article:


"@gmacofglebe: The Ottawa "Rush Rush" as a salute to the oeuvre of one Paula Abdul?"

[Acajack]

I like the locally-flavoured names better but "Rush" isn't that bad either.

It's fairly original as far as I can see - no other known teams use it.

It makes sense in football terms: rushing yards, pass rush, etc.

It also doesn't evoke something stupid or illogical in French.

[McC]

It also doesn't evoke something stupid or illogical in French.

au bureau on demande des réponses "RushRush" de temps en temps.

[J.OT13]

"Rush", reminds me too much if the band. I don't like it (the name that is, the band is fine).

[KHOOLE]

au bureau on demande des réponses "RushRush" de temps en temps.

et pi y'a toujours les têtes de roches!

i fô pas trop se "rusher" sur un nom qui a ni queue ni tête en français

[Acajack]

Je savais qu'il y en avait quelques uns mais je suis tout de même surpris par le nombre de gens qui peuvent écrire en français ici...

[McC]

i fô pas trop se "rusher" sur un nom qui a ni queue ni tête en français

+1000

:d

[JacquesGréber]

I like the locally-flavoured names better but "Rush" isn't that bad either.

It's fairly original as far as I can see - no other known teams use it.

The Chicago Rush Have used this name for the past 11 seasons. http://www.arenarush.com/

I think it's a strange name, as it doesn't evoke any sentiment of Ottawa.
I'm in favor of something at least relevant to the city. My favorite so far is Raftsman; could have a pretty cool Lumberjack like logo similar to Johnny canuk http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/fqsaneuuzbmiftlbsyuv5htof/Vancouver_Canucks/2007/Misc_Logo

Seriously tho, Ottawa a Rush? Nothing gets done quickly in this town.

Wanna stick to football lingo, how about The Ottawa Pass? I think it suits this town much better. ;)

[kevinbottawa]

I think it's a strange name, as it doesn't evoke any sentiment of Ottawa.
I'm in favor of something at least relevant to the city.

When I heard RUSH I immediately thought of rushing water which Ottawa has.