A dozen sites are in the running as potential locations for the new Civic campus of the Ottawa hospital.
The experimental farm is still in the running but several new ones have been added to the list.
Charlie Chaplin was a rising star and women had just won the vote in PEI when the Civic campus of the Ottawa hospital first opened its doors. 92 years later, it is still running but in drastic need of repair or a rebuild.
Today the National capital commission released 12 potential sites for the new $2-billion dollar campus including leaving it where it is or moving it across the road on the Experimental Farm: an ideal choice according to the former chief of staff at the hospital.
“To me, the only good spot is experimental farm,” says Dr. Chris Carruthers, “and I think we should get on with it sooner or later because the Civic, the old part is old and is not the best patient care facility.”
But the farm has been a controversial option that has raised loud opposition.
Leslie Maitland speaks for a group opposing the use of the Farm, “The site that runs between Woodroffe and Merivale Road might be ideal because it is centrally located and on two major roads and another exciting one is the Lincoln Fields’ option. It will be off the LRT, centrally located. That’s a really good choice,” says Leslie Maitland, “As for the Farm, it is Canada’s foremost agricultural research station and the bottom line is that this is going to hit us in our food security and hit us in our wallets if we lose the Experimental Farm.”
Among the other sites: Tunney’s Pasture, Lincoln Fields/Pinecrest Creek, West Hunt Club (north) and the 416, Woodroffe Avenue and West Hunt Club, Merivale and Woodroffe corridor, the Experimental Farm at Baseline and Merivale, the existing Civic campus, The Experimental Farm (west), the Experimental farm (central), the Experimental Farm (east), the Booth St. complex.
“Anything they do, they should not use green space,” says a public servant in Tunney’s Pasture, out for a noon-day stroll, “because we only have a limited amount of greenspace.”
The public will get its chance to speak to these 12 potential sites at an open house September 22nd. There is also an opportunity to contribute on line for two weeks starting that same date.
It is clear many residents will have much to say.
“I would rather it not be at the Farm,” says one woman outside the Civic campus, “So I think one of the other sites if they are suitable.”
“This is about as central as you can get,” says another man by the hospital, “and I think it's a great place for a hospital.”
The Ottawa Hospital says clearly something needs to be done and done fast.
"Replacing our 92 year old Civic Campus, is a question of urgency and priority." the hospital said in an email. "Selecting the right site is critical, as the impact of this decision will be felt well into the next century."
The NCC's evaluation committee will consider all those comments as it narrows down its decision in early October.
“In this case, nobody knows better than the people who live in the area,” says the NCC CEO, Dr. Mark, Kristmanson, “so we want to hear from them.”
The plan is to present a recommendation at the next public meeting in November and a final selection for the federal heritage minster by the end of that month. We are still likely looking at another decade though before a shovel hits the ground.
