It's by no fault of your own Mr. Melnyk, but since the MLS announced its expansion choices last month, Ottawa has become a bit of an after thought for footie fiends.

To be honest, except for a few who were toeing the Canadian party line, none of us really expected you to get in anyway, so you'll forgive us if we've treated you like a one night stand.

Would you like some orange juice? I've got a meeting to get to.

But, hey, look at you, you're back in the news. Monday, Ottawa city council will table its report on Lansdowne Park - commissioned way back in February.

The report assesses the site for future development and was to give a clearer picture on who or what was going to grow there.

Well, as it turns out, a leaked version of the report tells a pretty grim picture for Ottawa MLS hopes. Lansdowne Park is in far worse shape than originally thought and large scale renovations of the stadium's north end stands are going to be needed just to bring it up acceptable standards.

Regional ward councilor Clive Doucet was already leading the charge yesterday to declare the stadium plans a write off and is now pushing to launch an international design competition - which, if they like, could include a non-descript stadium.

"It's really taken the stadium out of the equation...now we can actually get back to doing business the way we should be."

Harsh words Mr. Melnyk.

Even worse, it appears other suitors are calling again. And not that Jeff Hunt guy either. A group of developers, well connected in the community, are proposing to build aquariums, hotels and other commercial space on Lansdowne.

So, what about a downtown stadium or Kanata you ask?

Well, Lansdowne worked because the city wanted it developed anyways. And Kanata has been all you from the beginning. On top of that, you kind of wanted the provincial government to pony up a fair chunk of change to pay for the whole thing - and the thing about that is, ya, we're kind of a have-not province now.

With not a lot of money to go around, MLS to Ottawa in 2013 is looking less likely.

Sorry Eugene. I hope you don't feel used. If it means anything, Don Garber really liked you. You should call him sometime. Maybe you and Don could meet up with Bob Young for a coffee in, say, Hamilton.

Cheers

ben.rycroft@metronews.ca

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Post to my facebook too

Dudes from Toronto are funny looking.

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