General Update/Rumour thread [Urban Ottawa]

[AndyMEng]

Originally Posted by movebyleap

Here we go again with "a world-class library like the one in Halifax". Why is everyone so obsessed with the Halifax library? This really worries me...will Ottawa end up with a generic glass box for a library?

Also...is a hockey stadium really the only thing millenials want in this city?

How about:
- a proper concert hall
- museum of modern art
- portrait gallery
- botanical garden
- a fabulous indoor market
- something cool like a giant ferris wheel (even Montreal has jumped on
that bandwagon)

And amazing, whimsical ARCHITECTURE!! (no, that does not include the "world class" Halifax library).

At the moment Lebreton Flats is looking like a bunch of hockey stadiums and condos. Woohoo!

In my experience, and from the list you're asking for, its people like you who just don't get out to enjoy Ottawa enough. I encourage you to just dig around a bit and you'll be amazed. I think it's because we always leave Ottawa to go see tourism in other cities, and we see these new things during our vacation, have a great time, and think 'oh man that'd be great in Ottawa' but its just because we gloss over what we've already got in our day to day lives. Just go out and try to be a tourist in your own city. It's great!

I'm assuming you live either in Orleans, Barrhaven or Kanata...

1. A 'proper' concert hall: So what do you define as 'proper' because we have several very well used spaces that are excellent, and in all shapes and sizes, so I don't understand what you're asking for. Small to large: Small bars like Irenes, Whalesbone, Live Lounge, Fourth Stage, Shenkman Centre, Centrepoint Theatre, The Gladstone (Awesome Space), GCTC, Azreili Studio, Arts Court (Saw Gallery), Babs Asper Theatre, Dominion Chalmers, Southam Hall, CTC... and that's just off the top of my head. On ANY given day you could see an excellent live performance at one of these venues.

2/3. Museum of Modern Art (or... portrait gallery): Well... here we go again, there are several spaces in the City that have excellent displays of modern art/portraiture, so... I guess its true we don't have 'museum of modern art' with that name on the front, but I challenge you to not be impressed by the national gallery, or the new gallery at the arts court. And also, we have a half dozen additional national museums to fill a gap if you're looking for a museum day, but I'm sure you've visited them all in the last year to see the latest exhibits.

4. Botanical Garden. Again, missing the name, but I'm forever impressed by the sheer number and well-tagged botanics at the Arboretum/Central Farm. You should try walking through there sometime, its super interesting to see the different types of trees and put a name to a face. There's a push to get the beautiful Fletcher Gardens rolled into a National Botanic Garden, but the transition wouldn't take too much other than name.

5. A fabulous indoor market. Really? Have you not seen the cattle castle on market day? Or do you want like a 24/7 market... Try Parkdale, its a 3 season thing, and you just have to brave the outdoors. Its no Ostermalm Saluhall from Stockholm, but its not too shabby. If you wanted a busier more farm-like atmosphere, a drive out to Carp (and a stop at the Cheshire Cat) would do you good!

6. Giant Ferris Wheel... hmmm well that I can't help you with. But I suggest if you want a nice night out, just park at the Supreme Court and walk to Nepean Point on a warm sunset evening. Its the best. If its adrenaline you want, we're a national capital with one ski hill 15 minutes from downtown, and a dozen more within day-trip territory. Or you could white water kayak at several downtown locations (easy, medium and hard locations). Ultimately, though, the Peace Tower is our giant Ferris wheel, with its glass elevator and amazing views. When's the last time you ventured to the top?

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by AndyMEng

In my experience, and from the list you're asking for, its people like you who just don't get out to enjoy Ottawa enough. I encourage you to just dig around a bit and you'll be amazed. I think it's because we always leave Ottawa to go see tourism in other cities, and we see these new things during our vacation, have a great time, and think 'oh man that'd be great in Ottawa' but its just because we gloss over what we've already got in our day to day lives. Just go out and try to be a tourist in your own city. It's great!

I'm assuming you live either in Orleans, Barrhaven or Kanata...

1. A 'proper' concert hall: So what do you define as 'proper' because we have several very well used spaces that are excellent, and in all shapes and sizes, so I don't understand what you're asking for. Small to large: Small bars like Irenes, Whalesbone, Live Lounge, Fourth Stage, Shenkman Centre, Centrepoint Theatre, The Gladstone (Awesome Space), GCTC, Azreili Studio, Arts Court (Saw Gallery), Babs Asper Theatre, Dominion Chalmers, Southam Hall, CTC... and that's just off the top of my head. On ANY given day you could see an excellent live performance at one of these venues.

2/3. Museum of Modern Art (or... portrait gallery): Well... here we go again, there are several spaces in the City that have excellent displays of modern art/portraiture, so... I guess its true we don't have 'museum of modern art' with that name on the front, but I challenge you to not be impressed by the national gallery, or the new gallery at the arts court. And also, we have a half dozen additional national museums to fill a gap if you're looking for a museum day, but I'm sure you've visited them all in the last year to see the latest exhibits.

4. Botanical Garden. Again, missing the name, but I'm forever impressed by the sheer number and well-tagged botanics at the Arboretum/Central Farm. You should try walking through there sometime, its super interesting to see the different types of trees and put a name to a face. There's a push to get the beautiful Fletcher Gardens rolled into a National Botanic Garden, but the transition wouldn't take too much other than name.

5. A fabulous indoor market. Really? Have you not seen the cattle castle on market day? Or do you want like a 24/7 market... Try Parkdale, its a 3 season thing, and you just have to brave the outdoors. Its no Ostermalm Saluhall from Stockholm, but its not too shabby. If you wanted a busier more farm-like atmosphere, a drive out to Carp (and a stop at the Cheshire Cat) would do you good!

6. Giant Ferris Wheel... hmmm well that I can't help you with. But I suggest if you want a nice night out, just park at the Supreme Court and walk to Nepean Point on a warm sunset evening. Its the best. If its adrenaline you want, we're a national capital with one ski hill 15 minutes from downtown, and a dozen more within day-trip territory. Or you could white water kayak at several downtown locations (easy, medium and hard locations). Ultimately, though, the Peace Tower is our giant Ferris wheel, with its glass elevator and amazing views. When's the last time you ventured to the top?

I think Ottawa can be better, and the suggestions were very good. Sure, we have nice things already, but it doesn't mean we should not be building a better Ottawa all the time.

The topic of a Botanical Gardens is a case in point. The Fletcher gardens only represents a tiny bit of what a great botanical garden needs to be. We only have bits and pieces of what we need to make a proper botanical garden. It needs to be pulled together with excellent display gardens and conservatories. Those are expensive and for this reason, at least those portions need to be fenced in. Free access means regular theft.

All we have to do is drive down to Montreal to see what a Botanical Gardens needs to be. It is things like this (and many others) that make Ottawa pale in comparison to Montreal. It is why so many tourists think they can do Ottawa in one day. We have to give them reasons to spend several days here.

[Marshsparrow]

Ottawa is the city that fun forgot. Yes - we've had some very bright moments the past couple of years but can we not harness this into permanent attractions? What we do have - the majority of the museums close at 5.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by Marshsparrow

Ottawa is the city that fun forgot. Yes - we've had some very bright moments the past couple of years but can we not harness this into permanent attractions? What we do have - the majority of the museums close at 5.

That leads to the point I was about to make. Rather than build more mediocre attractions, why not take the ones we already have and make them the best they can be? In cases where the attraction is already amazing, do more to promote it and draw people in who might not otherwise visit. I am always amazed at how often people will dismiss an amazing attraction because they don't think they will like it.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by Marshsparrow

Ottawa is the city that fun forgot. Yes - we've had some very bright moments the past couple of years but can we not harness this into permanent attractions? What we do have - the majority of the museums close at 5.

Don't museums pretty much everywhere close at 5?

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by acottawa

Don't museums pretty much everywhere close at 5?

Yes, but I've been to plenty of museums that close at 7pm as well.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

Yes, but I've been to plenty of museums that close at 7pm as well.

Are those siesta countries with later office hours?

But even so, 7:00 is not nightlife.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by acottawa

Don't museums pretty much everywhere close at 5?

I think the point was that we need other attractions that don't follow museum hours.

For example, the Niagara skywheel is open until between midnight and 2 a.m. depending on the day and the time of year. This is the beauty about this kind of attraction. It operates year round unlike a water park or an amusement park. It is much easier for this kind of attraction to pay for itself when revenue can be made year round and over extended hours. Something for Lebreton Flats? Not too close to Parliament but part of a new development that will attract lots of tourists, I hope.

[bikegypsy]

Originally Posted by Marshsparrow

Ottawa is the city that fun forgot. Yes - we've had some very bright moments the past couple of years but can we not harness this into permanent attractions? What we do have - the majority of the museums close at 5.

Oh please... Such a moronic statement. Travel a little.

[mykl]

Why are we so focused on a Ferris wheel exactly? Literally so many other cities have them. Everyone wants Ottawa to have more stuff that all the other cities have, but they never come up with any new ideas that could actually put Ottawa on the map. If Ottawa got a Ferris wheel and a botanical garden, why would I choose to visit Ottawa's over Montreal's? (This is hypothetical, as I get out to our galleries, museums, festivals, concerts, etc frequently).

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

For example, the Niagara skywheel is open until between midnight and 2 a.m. depending on the day and the time of year. This is the beauty about this kind of attraction.

Comparatively, the Coca-Cola London Eye is closed entirely between January and April and closes at 6:00 on weekdays in the spring and fall, operating as late as 8:30 through the summer and the weekends.

In classic Ottawa style, this thread symbolizes how we freak out and try too hard to be cool and fun.

[jchamoun79]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I think Ottawa can be better, and the suggestions were very good. Sure, we have nice things already, but it doesn't mean we should not be building a better Ottawa all the time.

The topic of a Botanical Gardens is a case in point. The Fletcher gardens only represents a tiny bit of what a great botanical garden needs to be. We only have bits and pieces of what we need to make a proper botanical garden. It needs to be pulled together with excellent display gardens and conservatories. Those are expensive and for this reason, at least those portions need to be fenced in. Free access means regular theft.

All we have to do is drive down to Montreal to see what a Botanical Gardens needs to be. It is things like this (and many others) that make Ottawa pale in comparison to Montreal. It is why so many tourists think they can do Ottawa in one day. We have to give them reasons to spend several days here.

There was a proposal in the early 2000s to turn a portion of the Experimental Farm into a proper botanical garden.

This being Ottawa, the usual band of NIMBYs got their pitchforks out, hysterically compared the proposed garden to a 'theme park', and the idea eventually fizzled out.

Sure, things have changed over the past 20 or so years, but the NIMBYs are still here and would put up the same old fight.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by jchamoun79

There was a proposal in the early 2000s to turn a portion of the Experimental Farm into a proper botanical garden.

This being Ottawa, the usual band of NIMBYs got their pitchforks out, hysterically compared the proposed garden to a 'theme park', and the idea eventually fizzled out.

Sure, things have changed over the past 20 or so years, but the NIMBYs are still here and would put up the same old fight.

There is a new proposal. Not sure where it's at right now. They have a website though: https://www.canadensisgarden.ca

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by jchamoun79

There was a proposal in the early 2000s to turn a portion of the Experimental Farm into a proper botanical garden.

This being Ottawa, the usual band of NIMBYs got their pitchforks out, hysterically compared the proposed garden to a 'theme park', and the idea eventually fizzled out.

Sure, things have changed over the past 20 or so years, but the NIMBYs are still here and would put up the same old fight.

I was involved at the time. I went to a meeting and I was totally disgusted with the turf war that was taking place. I remember one guy who made an impassioned speech but to no avail.

It was NIMBY's run amok. They got a designation of the property as a 'historic landscape' and declared that the proposed gardens were a Disneyland. It was a disgrace.

It was no different from the type of opposition that Lansdowne Park received except Lansdowne had sufficient political and developer support to withstand it. The Botanical Gardens project was grassroots and did not have enough support from people with power and deep pockets.

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

There is a new proposal. Not sure where it's at right now. They have a website though: https://www.canadensisgarden.ca

Our thread for that is over here:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=223533

[Marshsparrow]

Originally Posted by bikegypsy

Oh please... Such a moronic statement. Travel a little.

And what would you offer by way of suggestions? Or you just happy with status quo? And considering I don't know you, you don't need to know where I've traveled - but its sufficient to know that Ottawa is lacking in activity / fun department.

[AndyMEng]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I was involved at the time. I went to a meeting and I was totally disgusted with the turf war that was taking place. I remember one guy who made an impassioned speech but to no avail.

It was NIMBY's run amok. They got a designation of the property as a 'historic landscape' and declared that the proposed gardens were a Disneyland. It was a disgrace.

It was no different from the type of opposition that Lansdowne Park received except Lansdowne had sufficient political and developer support to withstand it. The Botanical Gardens project was grassroots and did not have enough support from people with power and deep pockets.

I happen to think the Dominion Arboretum is already pretty awesome. Some more flower beds, maybe, but it's Canada, so we have lots and lots of trees instead. Especially at this time of year!

[acottawa]

It is kind of weird that a city of Ottawa's size has no botanical gardens, no zoo and no aquarium.

The arboretum is nice, and has a nice setting but is is pretty limited.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by acottawa

It is kind of weird that a city of Ottawa's size has no botanical gardens, no zoo and no aquarium.

The arboretum is nice, and has a nice setting but is is pretty limited.

Zoos and aquariums or on the decline. I don't see the need for one in Ottawa.

As for a botanical (or botanic) garden, according to the Botanic Gardens Conservation International:

Definition of a Botanic Garden

The following is a list of criteria that may be met in part or whole by any institution that is considered to be a botanic garden:

• A reasonable degree of permanence
• An underlying scientific basis for the collections
• Proper documentation of the collections, including wild origin
• Monitoring of the plants in the collections
• Adequate labelling of the plants
• Open to the public
• Communication of information to other gardens, institutions and the public
• Exchange of seed or other materials with other botanic gardens, arboreta or research institutions
• Undertaking of scientific or technical research on plants in the collections
• Maintanence of research programs in plant taxonomy in associated herbaria.

The above list does not, however, constitute a comprehensive summary of the activities undertaken by botanic gardens.

Other than official status, what is the Dominion Arboretum missing?

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by acottawa

It is kind of weird that a city of Ottawa's size has no botanical gardens, no zoo and no aquarium.

The arboretum is nice, and has a nice setting but is is pretty limited.

And no amusement park... Not that I care, really.