Varsity Oval

The Varsity Oval (or Varsity Athletic Oval) was a multi-purpose recreational area located in downtown Ottawa, ON between 1885 and 1957. It was situated south of Somerset Street between Nicholas and King Edward Avenue, near the current location of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Science Office of Undergraduate Programs. Three grandstands were built, including one that opened in 1899 and another in 1930.

The Varsity Oval served as the home ballpark of the Ottawa entry in the professional Northern Independent League in 1906, among other sports teams. The Ottawa Senators played the final three games of the 1939 regular season at the Varsity Oval because Lansdowne Park was not available. Baseball fans liked the Varsity Oval because it had them closer to the action than at Lansdowne.

Further Reading

• Robert Smythe: "The University of Ottawa Campus Swells at the Varsity Oval," Urbsite.