Hockey on Parliament Hill would break most of the protocols for activities there

The historical stars appear perfectly aligned to attract an NHL outdoor classic to Ottawa in 2017.

It will be the100thanniversary ofthe first NHL game, which was played in Ottawabetween the Senators and theMontrealCanadiens, the25thanniversary of the modernSensfranchise, and, of course, thecountry's150thanniversary.

What could be more poetic thancelebrating Canada's game on the lawn of Canada's seat of government during the waning days of a touchstone year?

But the plan is also fraught with challenges, not least of which is that it wouldbreakmost of the protocols for the use of Parliament Hill. Not that that's prevented the idea from capturing the imagination of many a hockey-madfan in the capital,not to mention the city's politicians.

"That's obviously the No. 1 choice, certainly of myself, and all of the tourism leaders," said Mayor Jim Watsonon Tuesdayafternoon. "The iconic shot of playing hockey on the front lawn of Parliament Hill is really quite irreplacable."

It's also the topand possibly onlypick for theSenators. Franchisepresident CyrilLeedertoldradio sports stationTSN1200early this week 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."

But making shinny work in the Peace Tower's shadow won't be as easy as yoga Wednesdays on the Hill lawn.

Game plan breaksmost of the rules

Activities on Parliament Hill are regulated to protect the security of the public, but alsoto "maintain the integrity of this National Historic Site, where general respect for Canadian society and its democratic institutions is essential."

There'sa long list of activities that are prohibited,all of which would indicate that an NHL game wouldn't be permitted onthe Hill. They include:

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

An interdepartmental committeewhich includes representatives from the speaker's offices ofthe House of Commons and the Senate, Canadian Heritage andthe National Capital Commission can overturn these rules at any time. And it does.

There's yoga on the Hill on Wednesdays in the summer, and anumber of friendly sports games are played on the greensward every year. But these events require the suspension of a couple of rules, not most of them.

More to the point, all events on the Hillarefree. Not so with hockey.

The average ticket price forthe 2016 NHLWinter Classic held in Bostontopped more than $430. Itis difficult to see how a money-making organization like the NHL, selling access to Parliament Hill not to mention peddling overpricedbeerrespects our democratic institutions.

Challenges from security to money to construction

According to Watson,engineers have measured and generally scoped out the Hill, declaring itfeasible to erect stands for a crowd of 30,000.

But almost anything is feasible with enough money.

Temporary stands, and even full-service stadiums, are set up all over North America. But they aren't cheap.A temporary stadium with seating for 27,500 was built in Vancouver in 2010at a cost of $14.5 million. And it took four months.

So we need to ask ifwe areready to havethe front lawn of Parliament Hill beunder construction for weeks, possibly months, during the fall of the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Then there are the costs andlogistical nightmaresof security and transportation management. The RCMPmust be involved, as well asOttawa police and scores and scores of city workers to close streets and manage the movement of tens of thousands of people.

Asked about costs,Watson said Canadian Heritage "would have to be involved."The city wouldpick up some of the costs through its Ottawa 2017 budget, and there are usually sponsorships associated with these games. And, of course, there's the ticket revenue.

And as a final gesture of surrender in the last days of our sesquicentennial year, thehockeyset-upis almost sure tocover up the Centennial Flame, which was first lit on July 1, 1967.

Remember Lansdowne?

Watson said that while there's "a lot of goodwill" to try to make the game on the Hill happen, he gets that there are plenty of hurdles before the puck is dropped there.

"There are concerns, obviously," said Watson."And we have to be concerned about the institution of Parliament because at the end of the day, its role isto govern and make decisions as opposed to holding a hockey game."

While the mayor is certainly open to holding the game at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne, the Sens who are the ones leading this bidare less enthusiastic. In fact, there is some question whether we'd get a hockey game at all if we don't get one on the Hill.

Maybe that's a bluff on the Sens' part. Or maybe that's just a hard-noseddecision.

As Ottawa taxpayers, we have already paid more than $130 million to refurbish the stadium. Why should we pour more public dollars into hosting the game at a venue that very likely isn't appropriate for a paid event?

Lansdowne is clearlythe perfect place for an NHL Classic. Having hosted the Grey Cup a month earlier, there would already be additionalstands set up, bringing the capacity of the stadium to 36,000. Infrastructure and transportation plans are already in place tohandle large crowds.

And while it wouldn't be quite as spectacular as having the Peace Tower looming over the home team net, the Rideau Canal doesn't make too shabby a backdrop for an outdoor game.