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Historical Dates
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As early as 1868 the City of Ottawa Agricultural Society had acquired
rural land out on the Bank Street Road beside the Rideau Canal - now part
of Lansdowne Park - for use as a show-ground. In 1875 the first real exhibition
was held on this site when the City of Ottawa hosted the thirtieth annual
Exhibition of the Provincial Agricultural and Arts Association. Another
exhibition held in 1877 included the first public demonstration of the telephone
in Canada. |
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The City had acquired an expanded Lansdowne Park as well as all existing
buildings for the princely sum of $25,000. The Central Canada Exhibition
Association was formed in 1888 and the site witnessed many improvements,
including the erection of the new Horticultural Hall and Grandstand. Everything
was in place and ready for the September 20th opening that year of Ottawa's
truly annual exhibition. |
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The opening of the Aberdeen Pavilion for the 10th annual Central Canada
Exhibition of 1898 epitomized the progression of the site to a significant
national and international venue for the display of advancements in agriculture,
livestock and the burgeoning realm of manufactured goods of all shapes and
sizes. Soon after the dedication of the new structure by seventh Governor-General
of Canada, Lord Aberdeen, the building's dual functions were enshrined in
new popular names: "Cattle Castle" stuck almost at once; and by
1903 the structure was also known locally and in the press as the Manufacturer's
Building. Manufactured by the Dominion Bridge Company of Lachine, Quebec,
and erected in 1898, in just two months, at a cost of $75,000, the Aberdeen
Pavilion is particularly impressive because of its immense column-free interior
space and its juxtaposition of a simple structural interior and an elaborate
ornamental façade. Today it is the last remaining Canadian example
of a popular 19th century exhibition-hall style. The Aberdeen Pavilion has
played its part in Ottawa's cultural heritage and in Canada's national identity.
For decades it served as a showcase for Canada's agricultural and manufacturing
achievements at the Central Canada Exhibition. In the winter months it became
one of Ottawa's earliest community skating and hockey rinks. The Stanley
Cup final of 1904 was played there and won by the Ottawa Senators - the
legendary "Silver Seven". The building has also figured prominently
in military matters: troops of Lord Strathcona's Horse were encamped there
during the Boer War; the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry mustered
there before being sent to France in the First World War; and during World
War II it served as an induction centre for thousands of Canadian troops
heading overseas and was the home to the Cameron Highlanders the Princess
Louise Dragoon Guards.
In 1982 Ottawa City Council approved the designation of the Aberdeen
Pavilion as a Heritage Structure under the Ontario Heritage Act. The following
year the Federal Government designated the Aberdeen Pavilion as a National
Historical Site.
In 1992 after years of debate and acrimony, city council approved a compromise
plan that saw the building refurbished to its original splendor and glory
with funds from the Federal Government (Parks Canada) and Provincial Government
& the Central Canada Exhibition Association.
In 1994 the Aberdeen Pavilion was completely refurbished by Tristan Construction
and supervised by renowned heritage architect, Julian Smith, and is used
as a multipurpose centre for exhibitors, festivals and various shows. |
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In 1903, the Coliseum was built as a fat stock and poultry show building.
On January 25, 1904, the roof collapsed under the heavy weight of snow on
it. A new roof was put on and in the winter of 1905 it collapsed again due
to the weight of snow. In 1906 the building was enlarged and the main part
built as an auditorium and show ring, was named Howick Hall, after Howick
Castle, the English residence of Earl Grey, Governor-General, 1904-1911.
On January 21, 1914, the boiler in the basement exploded, killing three
men, injuring 20 and killing 20 horses and 600 head of poultry. The Ottawa
Winter Fair was being held at the time. A huge hole was blown through the
roof and considerable damage was done to other parts of the building. Extensive
additions were made to the building in 1926. In 1950 the new Livestock Pavilion
which joins the Coliseum was completed. In 1994 major renovations were completed
on the Coliseum Building. |
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In 1909 a new steel and concrete Grandstand had been built at a cost of
$100,000 to provide seating for nearly 10,000 people. In 1960, the sod was
turned for a new south side grandstand (to replace the bleachers) which
was built for $350,000 under a Winter Works incentive program. The Stadium's
new 7000-seat south side stands, designed so that additions could be made
when attendance warranted, boosted seating capacity to 22,000. In 1966 the
Band shell was demolished in preparation for construction of the new Ottawa
Civic Centre. Today, Frank Clair Stadium seats 28,826. |
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The Horticultural Hall was used for the first time in 1914 and was officially
opened by Hon. Martin Burrell, Dominion Minister of Agriculture. In 1969,
the Association relieved the Glebe Curling Club of its private operation,
which added five sheets of ice to the Horticulture Building. Curling no
longer exits at Lansdowne Park. The Horticulture Building is primarily used
for storage and as exhibit space for the annual Exhibition. |
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Mayor George Nelms, officially opened the 40,000 square-foot McElroy Building
built for $400,000, in 1957. In 1963 eight sheets of ice were developed
in the McElroy building to accommodate the increasing number of players.
Today, the McElroy building is primarily used as a storage building for
vehicles during winter months and the Food Fair Building during the annual
Exhibition. |
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In recreational sport, the Central Canada Exhibition Association scored
a great coup in 1961 by establishing the area's first public curling rink.
The General Purpose Building was converted into a Curl-O-Drome to provide
seven sheets of ice on a pay-as-you -play basis. In 1992 the Curl-O-Drome
Building was demolished and the National Capital Commission reconfigured
the area into green-space. |
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The Civic Centre, built for close to $10 million dollars, is, perhaps,
the most important development in the history of Lansdowne Park. The Civic
Centre provides full-scale convention facilities, a 30,000 square foot exhibition
area, an assembly hall, an arena with accommodations exceeding 10,000, and
in 1996 the most recent addition, the Civic Centre Theatre which manifests
into various seating configurations from 3,200 to 5,800. |
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On May 1, 1973, the Central Canada Exhibition turned over operation of
Lansdowne Park to the City of Ottawa. The Park was then run under the name
"City of Ottawa, Lansdowne Park Administration". |
Link
The CCEA: 109 Years of History
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