HERITAGE OTTAWA
For Immediate Release: Ottawa, April 15, 2010
Heritage Ottawa Calls Lansdowne Park Heritage Brief Disappointing
Heritage Ottawa is disappointed with the report to the City on the heritage aspects of Lansdowne Park redevelopment.
"The City appears to only want a document that responds to a business plan;
it is not a strategy for heritage protection," said David Flemming, past-president of Heritage Ottawa.
The City of Ottawa commissioned Commonwealth Historic Resource Management Limited to "provide participants in the redevelopment with a clear understanding of the history of the property and an assessment of the impact of new development being planned for Lansdowne Park" (p.3).
Heritage Ottawa had hoped the Lansdowne Park Heritage Brief would provide a sound basis for decision-making with respect to the protection of heritage resources at the site. "The document provides us with little assurance that the heritage importance and traditional use of Lansdowne Park will be reflected in the final development proposal," Flemming said. "Commonwealth is an experienced heritage conservation firm with a track record for excellence but their analysis seems to have been limited by the narrow terms of reference for their work."
Good heritage conservation helps manage change by providing a clear definition of the site based on sound historical research and an inventory and evaluation of resources. The resulting conservation plan should be based on heritage conservation principles contained in widely accepted documents such as The Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, which would guide all new development. Good heritage conservation is also an inclusive process, embracing all stakeholders not just Parks Canada the National Capital Commission and the business community.
The Commonwealth report based mainly on secondary sources provides a good chronology of the evolution of the specific buildings and landscape features of the Park however the analysis seems to be limited to the area encompassed by the Urban Park and the Overlap Area, ignoring heritage resources such as the Coliseum building and the Thomas Ahearn monument.
Heritage Ottawa questions the relevance of "Finding a balance between maintaining a public assembly use while maximizing retail opportunities" (p.41) in a brief on heritage conservation? The Brief takes as a foregone conclusion that the objective is to maximize retail opportunities, while other potential uses for the site are only being considered? Retail was only one of several activities in the Park over the years but never on a full-time, year-round basis.
The report suggests that the Aberdeen Pavilion could include many full-service restaurants. While this may be appropriate, there is no indication of how this use emerges from the historical evidence and past use of the building? Has this document already decided that restaurants in the Aberdeen Pavilion are acceptable, even in advance of the promised cultural heritage impact statements? And where does this leave the Farmers' Market, surely one of the most appropriate uses for the site based on the historical evidence?
"Commonwealth did their best with the marching orders they were given, and elements of this document are promising," concludes Flemming. "If there is time for a full retail study there should be time for a full-fledged heritage conservation plan for the entire site, including those portions of the Park being designed by the Ottawa Sport and Entertainment Group. A legitimate process would provide a true vision for Lansdowne Park and guide its development as a heritage-rich destination for the citizens of Ottawa and for visitors to our city."
Despite these shortcomings, Heritage Ottawa, in its 35 year tradition as a volunteer, not for profit heritage advocacy group, will continue to contribute to the design and planning process and to work with City staff to assure that Lansdowne Park's heritage attributes and significance are reflected in any development plan for the site.
For further information, contact David Flemming (613) 230-8841 or info@heritageottawa.org