Ottawa wants longer baseball stadium leaseholder

A report on the Ottawa Stadium spurred by renewed interest in the facility is directing city staff to solicit "best offers" to lease it for 2013 and beyond for baseball and report back to council.

On Tuesday the city's finance and economic development committee will consider the report looking into the long-term use of the stadium.

The report comes after what the city calls "renewed interest in the facility", though it is not known where that interest is coming from.

The interest has come from at least one group, Beacon Sports Capital Partners, LLC,an investment bank and financial advisory firm specializing in the professional sports industry.

Richard Billings, CEO ofBeacon Sports,refused to comment officiallytoCBC News Monday. He did confirm the company's interest in an Ottawa baseball team but said he is respecting the city's process.

Councillor wooing American baseball clients

It was confirmed Tuesday the Binghamton Mets, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets, might be moving to Ottawa. At least one Ottawa councillor has been working for about 18 months to attract professional baseball back to the nation's capital.

"It's great news for baseball fans in Ottawa," said Coun. Rick Chiarelli, who has been touring American cities where minor league teams may be interested in moving.

Chiarelli travelled out of his own pocket because he believed baseball was the best option for the stadium, which taxpayers have already paid for.

"[Beacon Sports Capital Partners] think we have a great stadium and they think we have a great future for baseball here," said Chiarelli.

Ottawa Stadium Group hoping to renew lease

Ottawa Stadium Group Ltd., the owner of the Ottawa Fat Cats, currently leases the stadium but has been operating on year-to-year leases. The group's latest lease expires in the spring.

Chiarelli added he hoped the Fat Cats, semi-pro club, could survive alongside a minor league professional baseball team because the Fat Cats' season is much shorter.

He also said the city could not settle for the semi-pro team as the sole tenant because they do not pay the same rent as, for example, the Triple-AOttawa Lynx who moved to Pennsylvania in 2008 after 15 years.

Mayor Jim Watson said in a statement Monday he hoped the process will lead to "a number of quality offers" and added the city will be able to secure a lease by January 2012.

Watson said financial considerations would not be discussed Tuesday at the committee meeting, but will instead be dealt with after the request for offers is completed.