Four years ago Carleton’s sporting facilities received a facelift with the construction of the new athletics building. Last year, Keith Harris Stadium gave the Raven’s men’s soccer team a state-of-the-art field on which to host nationals.
And now, more top-of-the-line facilities may be making their way to campus as a City of Ottawa report tapped Carleton’s campus as one of two top locations to host a multi-purpose sport and entertainment facility.
The report surveyed 23 possible locations and proposals, including Lansdowne Live and Eugene Melnyk’s Major League Soccer proposal in Kanata. Carleton shared the top spot with Bayview as the report measured possible locations in 15 different areas, taking into account factors such as location, transportation options and land ownership.
According to councillor Peter Hume, no matter where the stadium is built, it will face tough competition to get the necessary funding, including transit, water and sewer projects.
“It’s no question that Ottawa needs a stadium but making it compete is a significant hurdle,” Hume said. “And it’s something we’ll need to work with our federal and provincial partners to discuss.”
The multi-sport complex debate will continue at City Hall on March 10.
– with files from Kristin Newbigging