Report calls for upgrades to Brewer Park field

Photo by: Brendan Emmett

OTTAWA (Feb.02.2018) –

For some time the Carleton University Ravens Baseball team has been asking the City of Ottawa to consider upgrading the Brewer Park baseball field to collegiate-level standards.

The proximity of the park to campus, its competition-level size, generous backstop and plenty of space for potential bullpen areas has long been considered an ideal location by Ravens baseball players, coaches and supporters.

“Back in 2015 we did hold a game against the Gee Gees at Brewer,” recalls head coach Andre Robidoux “and we had 300 students show up.”

The game was even reported by Sportsnet.

“They had nowhere to sit!” laughs Robidoux. But the lack of an acceptable spectator area was not the major problem for Robidoux. “The infield is just not appropriate for baseball and we haven’t done it since.”

Indeed, the crushed stone surface is considered below standard by the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Association and has proven unsafe for playing baseball. Calls for improvement to lay down a clay surface have been stymied by a lack of capital funds.

Today, a Capital Ward report authored by Ian Grabina, reviewed comments made during a public consultation on “Brewer Park Reimagined” held on March 23rd, 2017 which was also attended by Ravens baseball team President George Rigakos.

The Report found that “for the most part, the [sports field] area functions as it should with those elements on offer meeting the needs and expectations of the vast majority of users” and that “most participants focus[ed] on improving upon the amenities already on offer” including washrooms, shelter, and the viewing areas.

This is welcome news to Rigakos and the Ravens. “It maintains the idea that the fields, including the baseball field ought to remain in tact” says Rigakos “but also supports our desire for the field to be upgraded.”

For the time being, the Ravens continue to hold their home games at RCGT Stadium which has “proven to be a world-class field” but far removed from Carleton campus and overly generous for university baseball in terms of capacity.

The Brewer Park Report is publicly available on the Capital Ward website.

“I think if we could garner more community support to lay down some clay and make some other improvements it would be great to hold some university baseball, summer collegiate and youth games right across the street from campus” added Rigakos.