U of O Stadium | 3,500 seats | Completed

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

I hate to report this.

Rumours are rife that this stadium can not be completed this year. The rumours say that they have encountered layers of ash in the sub soil. Ash that was presumably buried in a pit there by the coal burning industry that was in the area decades ago. The ash will not support the footings for the winter dome, and perhaps for the seating structure. Remedial action could delay construction for months and put the cost over budget.

The football team may be nomads this year, wandering to other fields where seating is limited.

Anyone reading this have more concrete information about the situation?

P.S.---One would think that taking core samples would have revealed this problem when the uni took over this site.

[concernedottawa]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

I just inquired at UO about a winter dome. I was told it will be domed.

The tentative discussion is that the Soccer Dome at FCS will relocate on a fixed contract paid for by the City. It is being held up pending a final decision on whether the OSEG plan will go ahead. Relocating the Soccer Bubble makes no sense. Having a second bubble is much needed. BTW FCS will not be ready until 2015.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by concernedottawa

The tentative discussion is that the Soccer Dome at FCS will relocate on a fixed contract paid for by the City. It is being held up pending a final decision on whether the OSEG plan will go ahead. Relocating the Soccer Bubble makes no sense. Having a second bubble is much needed. BTW FCS will not be ready until 2015.

Let's hope your wrong and FCS is ready for 2014; we will need it for the 2014 FIFA U20 women's cup.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

The City has a contract with Coliseum Sports , the operator of the dome at LP. The contract has two more seasons to run on it--the winters of 2012-2013 and and 2013-2014.

If the City breaks the contract by not allowing the dome to be erected at LP in either of the next two seasons, the contract says they must pay a 5 million dollar penalty to Coliseum.

The three way deal between the city , uOttawa, and Coliseum to move the dome has a clause to allow the City to get out of the 5 million dollar penalty payment to Coliseum. Instead the city pre-pays 3 million dollars to uOttawa for rental time reserved by the City for community sports over the next few years.

if the uOttawa site can not receive the dome by late this fall, and it can not be erected at LP due to ongoing construction work this fall, the city will back on the hook for the 5 million dollar penalty.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

It is official. The university has announced new field will not be ready until November 2012. In time to put up the winter dome for use this winter. Not in time for the regular football season (maybe a playoff game). The university will announce in a few days as to where they will play home games in 2012.

A new era for Gee-Gees football and a playing field open year round for the whole community
Thursday, August 02 2012


The University of Ottawa is proud to announce that its new Lees Avenue sports facility will be opening its doors this November.

The $8 million project, supported by a partnership with the City of Ottawa, will mark the dawn of a new era for the Gee-Gees football team. It will also increase the number of sports and recreation programs available for students and improve the selection of community sports leagues for the Ottawa community, particularly for residents in neighbourhoods near the campus.

A place for the Gee-Gees to call home

For the first time in more than 120 years, the uOttawa football team will finally be able to make its home on campus. As of 2013, all football activities will be centralized at 200 Lees Avenue. The Gee-Gees will see their team room, coaches’ offices, and dedicated athletic therapy and video rooms brought together around the new field. The field, featuring a synthetic playing surface, will be surrounded by 3,400 seats for spectators.

Soccer and a host of other sports all year long

The new multi-use playing field will be open to both uOttawa students and Ottawa community members year round, since it will be enclosed in a dome from mid-November to mid-May. This means uOttawa Sports Services will be better equipped to meet the ever-growing demand for soccer and other intra-mural sports, such as ultimate Frisbee and flag football.

The new field will be top quality, too. The synthetic turf will be tested for FIFA 2-star compliance, the same level achieved by the playing surface currently in place at the Minto Sports Complex field.

2012 season games: Be the first to know!

The University of Ottawa is currently finalizing the locations of the four 2012 Gee-Gees football home games. The locations selected will be posted on the Sports Services website.

[waterloowarrior]

aerial photo 29 Sept 2012 by southfacing @ flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2357560...in/photostream

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Update

The artificial turf , except for an end zone, has been put in place.

The super structure for the seating has been erected. They may not put in the seats until warmer weather in the spring as there is no need for them this winter.

The press box is in place and the lighting has been there for a couple of months now.

There are four concrete poles behind one end zone. They are quite tall and thick as well. I do not know what they are for, but if they are mounts for the scoreboard, it looks like it is going to be quite large.

The part of the old Algonquin Building known as Block A has been renovated and essentially becomes a Field House. The dome will be up for this winter.

They are still expecting to have a deal for the naming rights soon. They are selling it on the basis that not only will the 40000 plus university community be aware of the sponsor----but tens of thousands of commuters on the 417 will see the sponsor's name every day. Sort of a large billboard that could be there for decades. Come to think of it , that may be the reason for the four massive pillars. A scoreboarrd with the sponsors name in very large letters that can be seen from the highway?
In winter they are likely to paint the Gee-Gee logo and sponsor name on the side of the dome.

There were actually people working on the site this Sunday morning!

[KHOOLE]

Good news.
Looking forward to Alma Mater games.

What will happen to the dome when Lansdowne Park's stadium and field become serviceable? Is it coming back or is it staying at Ottawa U.?

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Khoole asked

What will happen to the dome when Lansdowne Park's stadium and field become serviceable? Is it coming back or is it staying at Ottawa U.?

The dome is staying at uOttawa.

The dome had two years to stay at LP under the present contract. If LP was not available the City had to pay the dome's owners a 5 million dollar penalty.

But...uOttawa stepped in and made a three way deal with the owners and the city.The owners decided that Lees Av was an excellent site. being on the 417 and the Transit Way. To get it, the owners were willing to let the city off the hook for the 5 million dollar penalty.
uOttawa wanted cash though . 3 miilion dollars . With the 5 miilion the uni had already put aside to build the facilty, the extra three million meant that they did not have to borrow money or fund-raise to complete the project.
The city has prepaid for three million dollars of rental time for the dome and the stadium in off hours and off season. The City will let community groups use the prepaid time, and presumably collect fees for allowing them to do so.
It will take years for the prepaid hours to be used up.

There is another side deal. Across from the stadium there is a city owned parking lot for the transit station. It seems to be empty almost all the time . It holds 60 cars and will be leased to the university year round to provide parking for visitors (clients) to the dome and stadium.

[TMA-1]

It's small and indistinct so I'll call it a context shot.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/2357560...in/photostream

[toaster]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

There is another side deal. Across from the stadium there is a city owned parking lot for the transit station. It seems to be empty almost all the time . It holds 60 cars and will be leased to the university year round to provide parking for visitors (clients) to the dome and stadium.

As of now, that parking lot is operated by the University (labelled lot G4 by the University), and you are right, it does sit quite empty. Does anyone know if it used to be a free Park & Ride lot?

[c_speed3108]

Originally Posted by toaster

As of now, that parking lot is operated by the University (labelled lot G4 by the University), and you are right, it does sit quite empty. Does anyone know if it used to be a free Park & Ride lot?

I believe Algonquin had a similar arrangement when the place belonged to them.

A few people might have used it during the vacant years. It is so close to downtown I can't imagine it having a ton of park and ride value. When it sat empty it might have had some "free" parking value for people visiting people on Lees.

U of O sells parking over there at these rates (same as the lot between the transitway and the building which also has daily/hourly rates):

OUTDOOR LOT G - RATES FOR LONG TERM PARKING
PERMITS FROM MAY 2012 TO APRIL 2013 RATES *
Session (Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer) $284.96
Academic Year (September - April) $569.92
Full Year (May - April) $854.88

[KHOOLE]

Is that the triangular grey lot beside the transit station that LeadingEdge Boomer is telling us about and visible on TMA-1's shot?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by KHOOLE

Is that the triangular grey lot beside the transit station that LeadingEdge Boomer is telling us about and visible on TMA-1's shot?

Yes.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

There is now a garnet circle with the grey Gee-Gee logo in it at center field.

The end zones are garnet and probably will have Gee-Gees written in grey on them. A very colourful field.

The nd zones do not have the corners cut as previously said would be done. They somehow made room for them.

Update--oops they fooled me---the corners are not cut but it seems they will cut out the corners when the dome goes up

Word is that they will start erecting the dome for this winter--this week.

Update---the scoreboard is up----standard one but gussied up with garnet and grey "gee-gees "lettering sitting on top opf it and the logo on the face.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Information on how the new domed field will be used this winter.Note that it mentions there are adult sport leagues that are open to individuals who are outside the uOttawa community.

It’s All Systems Go at the New Lees Dome
Tuesday, November 06 2012


With construction finishing at the new Lees Avenue sports facility, it’s all systems go for recreation programs to begin filling the facility. And for the intramural program at uOttawa, this is an exciting prospect!

Starting this winter, all off-season soccer will be moving to the new Lees Dome, along with the creation of a new touch football league at the dome. This shift will open up room for an expanded basketball and volleyball intramurals at the Montpetit and Lees gyms. And for anyone who’s ever seen or waited in the intramural registration line, they know expansion is a good thing!

Soccer intramurals formerly run out of the Lees Gym are now shifting under the new title of Adult Sports League and run out of the Lees Dome. Not only does this open up space for more teams (now up to 42 teams), it also provides the opportunity for a league that will be able to run straight through the winter, even during reading weeks and exams. A decrease in injuries with games shifting to a turf field, a world-class playing surface and a location quicker to get to then the downtown Sports Complex, the dome is set to revolutionize soccer intramurals.

With an elite playing field of synthetic turf meeting FIFA 2-star standards, the Adult Sports League is priced along with that of ice hockey intramurals with its unique playing surface. And now open to individuals outside the uOttawa community, the Adult Sports Leagues are sure to attract quite a crowd. And due to popular demand, spaces for individual as well as team registration have now also opened up.

So with leagues ranging from recreational, to intermediate, to competitive and from soccer to touch football – the Lees Dome is packed full of new and exciting activities to fill that long, dreary winter for uOttawa students and the external community. Visit Intramurals (http://www.geegees.ca/rec/43) for more information or Gee-Gee Reg (link) to sign-up today!

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

This statement was iisued by Coliseum Sports--the outfit that owns and runs the dome----late Wesnesday.

COLISEUM UPDATE
Posted on Wednesday November 21st 2012 :: 10:03 PM
AT 5PM TODAY, NOVEMBER 21, THE CITY OF OTTAWA TERMINATED OUR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

WE WILL BEGIN REIMBURSING TEAMS AND CLUBS EARLY NEXT WEEK.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOUFOR THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE SHOWN MARTY, DEJAN AND ME OVER THE PAST DECADE. IN PARTICULAR, WE APPRECIATE THE UNDERSTANDING AND PATIENCE YOU SHARED WITH US THIS SEASON.

WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ON THIS MATTER, AT THIS TIME.

WE WISH EVERYONE THE VERY BEST.

IAN MARTIN

Wow what happened!!!

Why did the city terminate?

What happens to the three way deal between Coliseum--the city and uOttawa.
What happens to the dome?

Will there be breach of contract lawsuits?

[c_speed3108]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

This statement was iisued by Coliseum Sports--the outfit that owns and runs the dome----late Wesnesday.



Wow what happened!!!

Why did the city terminate?

What happens to the three way deal between Coliseum--the city and uOttawa.
What happens to the dome?

Will there be breach of contract lawsuits?

It is sounding like there is some sort of delay in setting it up. I recall that the inflation is weather dependent so maybe it was taking too long. Based on their previous post it also seems like things were getting a bit testy over parking and such.

COLISEUM UPDATE
Posted on Monday November 19th 2012 :: 6:57 PM
Dear clients,

Again, due to circumstances we cannot control, the earliest we will be open this year is December 10 or 11 of 2012. The install, retro fit of the fabric and field repairs are weather dependent. There is a chance that date could be pushed further.

We are obviously disappointed by this turn of events, and are prepared to reimburse any team that wishes not to play this season.

Furthermore, and notwithstanding our continued efforts and your responses, the city/university insist on charging 2 dollars per hour at their meters for parking, at all times.

We understand this may have consequences going forward, but there is nothing more we can do.

Please let us know your decision as soon as possible, and we will organise immediately to reimburse you.

Sincerely,

Ian Martin

[Harley613]

Wow that really sucks. Is the same dome that used to go up at Lansdowne?

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Here is more info.

Sports Dome Owners Slam City for No Deal

Stephanie Kinsella
Thursday, November 22, 2012

The vice president of Coliseum Incorporated - which operates the sports dome - is "shocked and sickened" by negotiations with the city that HE says failed to produce a deal for the dome's new home.

The dome needed a home because of the Lansdowne Park construction, the city had to help find that new location because of a lease through to 2015, and the University of Ottawa needed money for its new sports field.

All parties agreed it was a good move a year ago - but negotiations fell apart with the city on Wednesday night, Coliseum vice president Marty Lauter told CFRA News.

"We're still in shock and we're trying to do damage control," said Lauter. He says refunds will be processed to the thousands that had signed up for the winter league.

"We've been in business for 18 years, we've had a dome for 12 years. We've been full every single year, our clients return 99.9% every year," adds Lauter.

He insists earlier this month, the company had equipment and workers on hand to relocate the dome - but the field wasn't ready.

A University of Ottawa spokesperson Patrick Charette tells CFRA News the field, in fact, was complete and ready for the dome to be moved, but could not explain why the relocation didn't happen.

City of Ottawa officials have not responded to multiple requests for comment.

And this tweet

Stephk580 Coliseum Inc VP Marty Lauter "shocked and sickened" re:negotiations with the city for sports dome move. "We're essentially out of business." about 1 hour ago ·

Essentially it looks like the city has scewed uOttawa and Coliseum inc by reneging on a letter of umderstanding agrrement thay have had for a year.

As a result --hundreds of kids and adults have no place for their winter soccer leagues.

uOttawa devisedan expanded intramural sports programs for its students and will now have to scrap it.

uOttawa was counting on 3 million dollars prepayment for rental time from the city which is needed to pay for finishing the facility as part of the contract.--and uOttawa is advertising in its search for a new football head coach, that he would have a new domed facility to work with.


--but the contract that the city has with Coliseum to host the dome at Lansdowne until 2015 has a penalty clause of 5 million if the city does not supply them with a place to out the dome through to 2015. So the taxpayer could now be on the hook for it.

What a disaster--and shows once again the danger of trying to do contracts with City Hall.