Ideas/Visions for Ottawa, Canada's Capital

[kevinbottawa]

Since there was a big conversation about the Alexandra Bridge, I thought some of you would want to know IKEA is selling wall sized, framed pictures of the Alexandra Bridge. They didn't have a price next to it but their wall sized pictures are usually $49.99. They also have a Parliament Hill version on sale for $19.99 (I have that one on my living room wall).

[bobert_d]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

Since there was a big conversation about the Alexandra Bridge, I thought some of you would want to know IKEA is selling wall sized, framed pictures of the Alexandra Bridge. They didn't have a price next to it but their wall sized pictures are usually $49.99. They also have a Parliament Hill version on sale for $19.99 (I have that one on my living room wall).

Wow, that's so gorgeous. I guess I need to go to Ikea for the first time ever.

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

"summer Olympics cost nearly ten times as much to host as the Winter Olympics"

That's why I'm proposing the Winter Olympics; Summer would be way to big of an undertaking for Ottawa.

As for the lack of Whistler type areas, I have no clue. I can't tell between one that's up to Olympic standards, and one that's not. I could definitely understand how Mont-Cascade wouldn't be up to the task...

Political issues; no Ottawa isn't perfect and the current (if not all) Federal Government is sketchy as hell but compared to nearly all other Olympic host cities and countries, our record is pretty damn fine.

Even the Winter Olympics are too much for Ottawa. Perhaps something like the Pan-Am Games or Commonwealth Games perhaps?

[lrt's friend]

Ottawa is politically the whipping boy of the country. There would not be the political will especially with Conservatives to support a major international event in Ottawa. The winter Olympics would be wonderful but the ski hills are too small here and we would be dependant on Mont Tremblant participation. Can you imagine, Ontario and Quebec cooperation? Like oil and water. Besides, this city is too small minded and the NIMBY crowd too strong to ever pull it off. Too many professional bureaucrats, consultants and lawyers in this city. Not enough entrepreneurs and risk takers and dreamers.

[Fatty McButterpants]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

Since there was a big conversation about the Alexandra Bridge, I thought some of you would want to know IKEA is selling wall sized, framed pictures of the Alexandra Bridge. They didn't have a price next to it but their wall sized pictures are usually $49.99. They also have a Parliament Hill version on sale for $19.99 (I have that one on my living room wall).

U. G. L. Y. You ain't got no alibi you ugly

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

Even the Winter Olympics are too much for Ottawa. Perhaps something like the Pan-Am Games or Commonwealth Games perhaps?

Sochi is about 1/3 the size of Ottawa, and Peongchang, the next host, has less than 45,000 people.

A joint Ottawa-Gatineau-Lake Placid bid could actually be feasible. When Lake Placid hosted in 1980, the Winter Games were not that big, they were the only bidder and it cost less than 170 million. The distance between is only 230Kms, something a new bridge across the St Lawrence and revival of some old rail lines could make interesting. Maybe we could get a Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal HSR thrown in Nobody outside of Canada knows where Ottawa is, but nobody knew where Sochi is 5 years ago either

Hey, it's a fantasy thread so here's a scale comparison of the conglomeration of sites around Hurdman compared to the Sochi seaside cluster (which was way too extravagant). We get a second LRT tunnel from Hurdman to Lansdowne and Carling, and an Olympic Village built as a fully TOD community somewhere along the line The great thing with Ottawa is that we actually have tons of stuff to do for visitors, including skating on the canal, the whole thing could be like Winterlude on steroids, which would automatically disqualify us

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

A joint Ottawa-Gatineau-Lake Placid bid could actually be feasible. When Lake Placid hosted in 1980, the Winter Games were not that big, they were the only bidder and it cost less than 170 million. The distance between is only 230Kms, something a new bridge across the St Lawrence and revival of some old rail lines could make interesting. Maybe we could get a Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal HSR thrown in Nobody outside of Canada knows where Ottawa is, but nobody knew where Sochi is 5 years ago either

That's not a bad idea at all. When I was in Lake Placid last year they were talking about a new bid coming down the pipe. Not sure how serious they were.

We might have some competition from Montreal, which I believe is closer to Lake Placid, and definitely has better road connections.

As for an Ottawa bid, maybe that would be the ticket for a CTC replacement?

[YOWflier]

The idea of Ottawa bidding for the winter olympics in partnership with other areas is one that should be carefully studied. Sadly, there are too many naysayers in this region to make it happen.

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Sochi is about 1/3 the size of Ottawa, and Peongchang, the next host, has less than 45,000 people.

Yeah, and that's not a good thing!

Once the Olympics are over, who pays for all the upkeep of the sports facilities? Or, as has happened with many past hosts, we let them sit empty and languish?

Unlike Vancouver where it often just a case of renovation and sprucing up, Ottawa would have to build so many facilities, as well as working in coordination with Quebec; already a monumental task.

Sochi cost $51 Billion dollars. I doubt Ottawa, let alone the nation, would have that kind of cash to spare, even in 20 years.

A joint Ottawa-Gatineau-Lake Placid bid could actually be feasible. When Lake Placid hosted in 1980, the Winter Games were not that big, they were the only bidder and it cost less than 170 million. The distance between is only 230Kms, something a new bridge across the St Lawrence and revival of some old rail lines could make interesting. Maybe we could get a Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal HSR thrown in Nobody outside of Canada knows where Ottawa is, but nobody knew where Sochi is 5 years ago either

Hey, it's a fantasy thread so here's a scale comparison of the conglomeration of sites around Hurdman compared to the Sochi seaside cluster (which was way too extravagant). We get a second LRT tunnel from Hurdman to Lansdowne and Carling, and an Olympic Village built as a fully TOD community somewhere along the line The great thing with Ottawa is that we actually have tons of stuff to do for visitors, including skating on the canal, the whole thing could be like Winterlude on steroids, which would automatically disqualify us

Nice ideas, but rather impractical and not that feasible in reality.

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

Nice ideas, but rather impractical and not that feasible in reality.

Aw, you're no fun. You just made Misha the bear shed another tear.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by phil235

That's not a bad idea at all. When I was in Lake Placid last year they were talking about a new bid coming down the pipe. Not sure how serious they were.

We might have some competition from Montreal, which I believe is closer to Lake Placid, and definitely has better road connections.

I don't think Montreal is interesting in hosting the Olympics again.

If Ottawa is really interested then the real Canadian competition is Quebec City, because if they are in the running it makes it unlikely the province would support a rival Ottawa-Gatineau bid (and an Ottawa bid would ideally or even essentially include Gatineau because of the park.)

[S-Man]

I don't think Montreal is interesting in hosting the Olympics again.

I think they're still paying it off!

[Dado]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Aw, you're no fun. You just made Misha the bear shed another tear.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympi...191619654.html

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by S-Man

I think they're still paying it off!

Or at least they fairly recently finished...

[Kitchissippi]

This might belong in the "Old Visions" thread, but it's an interesting old model with stuff that might still come true. Probably circa 1990s judging from some of the details. Note the removal of all surface parking in the entire Parliamentary district, and ramps to underground garages.I think the proposed stairway from the West Block towards the Supreme Court with a square in the middle was where Pierre Trudeau's statue is supposed to go, as a nod to his passion for a "Just Society" and the repatriation of the constitution. Maybe this will get built after the next election

(click to enlarge)


Old American Embassy replaced with new buildings, with a break to formalize the composition with Queen's Gate, strangely, the ugly La Promenade building is still behind!:


The Supreme Court triad complete with the Federal Court building:

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

This might belong in the "Old Visions" thread, but it's an interesting old model with stuff that might still come true. Probably circa 1990s judging from some of the details. Note the removal of all surface parking in the entire Parliamentary district, and ramps to underground garages.I think the proposed stairway from the West Block towards the Supreme Court with a square in the middle was where Pierre Trudeau's statue is supposed to go, as a nod to his passion for a "Just Society" and the repatriation of the constitution. Maybe this will get built after the next election

(click to enlarge)


Old American Embassy replaced with new buildings, with a break to formalize the composition with Queen's Gate, strangely, the ugly La Promenade building is still behind!:


The Supreme Court triad complete with the Federal Court building:

I'm a fan of those buildings and adding something more by the Supreme Court. But I'd rather keep the Victoria Building and the small bank building beside it.

Interesting photos you got of this! Great find!

[McC]

Someone stole Tower C!

[gjhall]

That model seems to reflect current plans/policy for the future of the precinct:




http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/colline...-jdcl-eng.html

(New stuff in bold)
Demonstration Plan (1-18)
1. Library and Archives Canada
2. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Judicial Building
3. Supreme Court
4. St. Laurent Square
5. Cliff Street Heating Plant
6. Future Bridges to the Islands <--interesting potential for integration with Windmill plans for "The Isles"
7. Cliff Street Area
8. Lyon Street Valley
9. West Memorial Building
10. East Memorial Building
11. Bank of Canada
12. Justice Building
13. Confederation/Justice Infill Building
14. Confederation Building
15. Vittoria Terrace
16. Materiel Handling Facility
17. Parking Garage
18. Vehicle Screening Facility

Demonstration Plan (19-38)
19. Rehabilitated Bank Street Valley
20. Pedestrian Promenade
21. West Terrace
22. West Terrace Pavilion
23. Pedestrian Screening Centre
24. Bank of Montreal <-- Sir John A MacDonald building (event hall) under construction
25. Block Three
26. Block Two
27. Block One
28. Langevin Building
29. West Block with Courtyard Infill
30. East Block with Courtyard Infill
31. East Block Underground Services
32. Visitor Welcome Centre
33. Centre Block
34. Library of Parliament
35. Centre Block Underground Services
36. Confederation Square
37. Château Laurier
38. Major's Hill Park

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by defishel

I'm a fan of those buildings and adding something more by the Supreme Court. But I'd rather keep the Victoria Building and the small bank building beside it.

Interesting photos you got of this! Great find!

Too bad that the Supreme Court square is now never going to be completed, thanks to another one of Harper's ass-ugly monuments.

[Kitchissippi]

We should probably move all this transit discussion to the Dream Transit Plan Thread, lest this turn into yet another transit thread. Transit discussion on this forum has become so scattered in several threads. Anyway, it would be better for anyone looking back at archives for these ideas to be in a logical place.

I think the OP wanted something more in the lines of things to see and do — attractions and events that can make the capital more stately and lively, which is why this is filed under the Culture, Dining, Sports & Recreation section.

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

I think we should have this thread where we can all discuss ideas of things we should have/would like to see in Ottawa. Kind of like the "architecture for Ottawa" thread where we discuss buildings we would like to see here. For example, stores we should have, an idea for a new museum, tourist attractions etc...

I thought about this especially after reading the NCC's article about the "pop-up bistro/beach" that we had next to the canal last summer which was a hit. They were asking or looking for more ideas for this upcoming summer.

Also with people always talking about "Capital Cities" and how Ottawa lacks and is far behind these other capitals... What could be done here to make it more "grandiose" or "capital-ish"?

I'll be doing some research and posting my ideas later.