Ottawa's double-A dream

Ottawa could soon become home to a double-A baseball team if a Massachusetts-based company has its way, according to a report in the Ottawa Business Journal Thursday.

According to the report, Ottawa city staff will recommend leasing Ottawa Stadium to an Eastern League minor league baseball franchise represented by Massachusetts-based Beacon Sports Capital Partners.

The proposed deal would need city council approval and would require $5.7 million in tax dollars for stadium upgrades.

The proposal will go before Ottawa's finance and economic development committee on Feb. 16 and is expected be in front of city council Feb. 22.

Beacon Sports has helped sell or purchase major sports franchises such as the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The stadium is currently home to the Ottawa Fat Cats of the Intercounty Baseball League, but its lease expires in the spring.

Ottawa Stadium was originally built for the triple-A Ottawa Lynx franchise, who played there from 1992 to 2008 until poor attendance caused the franchise to move. After that, the Ottawa Rapidz of the Can-Am League used the stadium for one season, until they folded.

In 2011, city council stated that baseball was not a sustainable use for the stadium, but it has since changed its tune.

It is unclear what would happen to the Fat Cats should this deal go through.