2 groups vying for baseball stadium lease

Two "viable, legitimate" groups have approached the City of Ottawa about leasing its baseball stadium now that the strugglingChampions are in default, councillors learned Wednesday.

• Ottawa Champions owner hopes to sell team in coming weeks

One group includesthe Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), owner of the CFLRedblacks, the USL Fury and OHL 67's, and partnerReganKatz on behalf ofthe Winnipeg Goldeyes, a successful franchise in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.

The other proposal comes fromRob Lavoie, Rob Abboud and Fred Saghbini.

Both groupsare aware that the city expects them to clearnearly half a million dollars in debtthe Champions owe before they can hit the field for the 2020 season, the city said.

We're trying to minimize our loss and get our money back.- Steve Kanellakos, city manager

"We're trying to minimize our loss and get our money back. It's been part of the negotiations," city manager Steve Kanellakos told councillors.

"We feel now that we have two viable, legitimate owners' groups who are interested in the team [and] who have the financial means to be able to deal with that outstanding debt."

Mayor Jim Watson encouraged other interested parties to come forward.

"I think that it's exciting that there are groups prepared to step up to the plate, excuse the pun,and bid to continue professional baseball in Ottawa," said Watson.

$463K debt

ChampionsownerMiles Wolffwas on a repayment plan with the city, but missed his Sept. 4 payment, councillors also learned.

• Champions, city strike new deal as ball club struggles to pay rent

The city has now found him to be in default and will be cashing a $108,000 letter of credit.

Even with that payment the Champions owe $463,000 for missing rent payments in previousseasons, and for thehourly rate it was being charged during the 2019 season, which ended earlier this month.

Coun. Carol Anne Meehan questioned how any new owner could succeed where others have failed. City officials noted the light rail station at Tremblay will mean fans can now get to games on LRT.

Other councillors were less interested in the business of baseball, and morekeen to see staff undertake a grander vision forhow else the stadium site could be used.