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Heritage Classic at Parliament Hill Scratched

Ottawa Senators

Despite the desires of the Ottawa Senators, a proposal to play the 2017 Heritage Classic at Parliament Hill has been scratched. 

In the last few months, the Senators had floated the concept of hosting the outdoor Heritage Classic at Parliament Hill. Aside from marking a celebration of both Canada (150th) and the Senators (25th), the 2017 Heritage Classic would have been unique in the fact that, unlike its predecessors, it was not hosted at a major outdoor sports facility.

The backdrop and significance of the event would have made it memorable, but the proposal presented some clear logistical challenges. Since there is no facility in place at Parliament Hill, a temporary venue would had to have been constructed on the site, and that includes everything from the ice to the stands. The proposal also ran into some significant regulations. More from CBC News:

The plan would also have broken most of the protocols for the use of Parliament Hill. Included in the long list of activities that are prohibited there:

  • Organized sporting events.
  • Charging admission fees.
  • Selling alcohol.
  • Selling food.
  • Structures of any kind, props, billboards.
  • Commercial advertising.

In September, Ottawa Senators president Cyril Leeder told radio sports station TSN1200  that “there’s really only one option we’ve been working on and that’s to try to find a way to make that game work on Parliament Hill.”

The Ottawa Senators said in a statement they were “disappointed for all Canadian hockey fans that we will not have the opportunity to witness an NHL Outdoor Game on Parliament Hill.”

As far as outdoor facilities go, TD Place Stadium the home of the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks, is the most logical backup plan in the Ottawa area. However, it remains to be seen if the Senators will make a successful push to host the Heritage Classic at that facility.

RELATED STORIES: Senators Eye Parliament Hill for Heritage Classic

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