Carleton University has reached an agreement with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL) to host the expansion team’s training camp for the upcoming season.
Redblacks owner Jeff Hunt said the team identified Carleton as an optimal spot to host its inaugural training camp.
“We’ve known for a long time that we were going to have our camp at Carleton,” he said. “We looked at a lot of places and Carleton was just the best fit.”
Carleton is in close proximity to TD Place Stadium, the Redblacks’ home field, which is still under construction.
Jennifer Brenning, Carleton’s athletics director, also spoke highly of the agreement and the positive effects it will have on Ravens sports.
“Some of our guys have aspirations of going to the CFL, so it’s nice to showcase high-profile talent,” she said.
When it comes to the specifics of the school’s arrangement, Brenning said there is a partnership between Carleton and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG).
OSEG owns and operates the Redblacks, the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League, and the Ottawa Fury of the North American Soccer League, who are also playing their home games temporarily at Carleton due to the TD Place construction.
“We have these beautiful facilities, so it’s great that we can attract amateur and professional sport to showcase all levels of sport,” Brenning said.
She said the Redblacks will be using multiple on-campus facilities, including the newly-renovated Keith Harris Stadium.
“They are using the field, residences, the high performance centre, and will be located in the football dressing room as their home dressing room,” she said. “You will see them around campus and in the cafeteria. This will be their home during training camp.”
While the CFL is in the midst of a potential labour stoppage, Hunt said the team is proceeding with its on and off-field operations as it normally would.
“We’re just proceeding business as usual,” Hunt said. “The league is handling all of the labour negotiations.”
Barring a labour stoppage, Hunt said the Redblacks’ training camp will begin June 1, and will be open to the public to attend.
