Marcelo
08-24-2009, 12:57 PM
The Ottawa media has published that there is an ownership group in negociations with the Can-Am League and city officials to bring back a Can-Am franchise to Ottawa for 2010. This is good news and I hope everything falls in place. See below what has been said in the media.
"A group wants to bring professional baseball back to the capital.
The Ottawa Stadium Group is currently exploring the idea of acquiring a Can-Am baseball franchise for the 2010 season.
David Butler, who operates Bytown Trolley Company, is leading the group and says he has submitted a proposal to the city and to Can-Am League commissioner Miles Wolff to re-open the doors of the Ottawa Baseball Stadium and field a team. A franchise costs $750,000.
The Can-Am League was supposed to have a team ready to go for this season but pulled out at the last moment citing poor economic conditions.
“We are having discussions,” said Butler. “We are going to try and make a run at it again.” Long-term lease
Earlier this week, OSG submitted a proposal to the city’s legal department that outlines a plan to negotiate a long-term lease.
Butler said the negotiations with Can-Am are in full swing.
However, given the checkered history of baseball at the Coventry Rd. stadium, Butler says he wants to use the facility for more than just baseball.
Butler would like the city to allow the stadium to be used for concerts and other events.
“Baseball would be one product,” said Butler. “Nobody will make just baseball work. I want something there every day.”
OSG member Duncan Macdonald has worked in many roles with Major League Baseball, including with the Toronto Blue Jays during their two World Series wins in the early ’90s. He said there isn’t a stadium in North America that is used only for baseball
Macdonald also worked for Terrace Investments in the late 1980s, which was successful in bringing the Ottawa Senators to the capital.
“We want to sell fun, sun and entertainment,” he said.
The group has a marketing plan to try to fill the 10,000-seat stadium in the summer months and they’re working on plans for events during the city’s popular Winterlude festival.
“We need to give people a reason to come to the stadium,” said Macdonald.
Orleans Coun. Bob Monette said he has been speaking with Butler and likes the idea."
"A group wants to bring professional baseball back to the capital.
The Ottawa Stadium Group is currently exploring the idea of acquiring a Can-Am baseball franchise for the 2010 season.
David Butler, who operates Bytown Trolley Company, is leading the group and says he has submitted a proposal to the city and to Can-Am League commissioner Miles Wolff to re-open the doors of the Ottawa Baseball Stadium and field a team. A franchise costs $750,000.
The Can-Am League was supposed to have a team ready to go for this season but pulled out at the last moment citing poor economic conditions.
“We are having discussions,” said Butler. “We are going to try and make a run at it again.” Long-term lease
Earlier this week, OSG submitted a proposal to the city’s legal department that outlines a plan to negotiate a long-term lease.
Butler said the negotiations with Can-Am are in full swing.
However, given the checkered history of baseball at the Coventry Rd. stadium, Butler says he wants to use the facility for more than just baseball.
Butler would like the city to allow the stadium to be used for concerts and other events.
“Baseball would be one product,” said Butler. “Nobody will make just baseball work. I want something there every day.”
OSG member Duncan Macdonald has worked in many roles with Major League Baseball, including with the Toronto Blue Jays during their two World Series wins in the early ’90s. He said there isn’t a stadium in North America that is used only for baseball
Macdonald also worked for Terrace Investments in the late 1980s, which was successful in bringing the Ottawa Senators to the capital.
“We want to sell fun, sun and entertainment,” he said.
The group has a marketing plan to try to fill the 10,000-seat stadium in the summer months and they’re working on plans for events during the city’s popular Winterlude festival.
“We need to give people a reason to come to the stadium,” said Macdonald.
Orleans Coun. Bob Monette said he has been speaking with Butler and likes the idea."