Aberdeen Pavilion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aberdeen Pavilion |
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The Aberdeen Pavilion in 2005
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| Former names | "Cattle Castle" (informal) |
| General information | |
| Type | Exhibition Hall |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Address | 1000 Exhibition Way Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5J3 |
| Completed | 1898 |
| Cost | CAD75,000 (1878) |
| Owner | City of Ottawa |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Moses C. Edey |
| Awards and prizes | Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act |
| Official name: Aberdeen Pavilion National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1983 |
| Type: | Municipal Heritage Designation (Part IV) |
The Aberdeen Pavilion (also called Pavillon Aberdeen in French) is a large building in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It's an exhibition hall located in Lansdowne Park, which is a historic fairground. The building sits near the Rideau Canal.
For many years, people called it the "Cattle Castle". This was because it was used for showing farm animals and other agricultural displays during the Central Canada Exhibition. The Aberdeen Pavilion is the last building of its kind left in Canada. It shows a common style of Victorian exhibition halls. Because of its importance, it was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1983.
It is also one of the oldest places in the world where indoor ice hockey was played. Even though hockey isn't played there anymore, it's the oldest building where the famous Stanley Cup was once competed for. Stanley Cup challenge matches took place there in 1904.
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History of the Pavilion
The Aberdeen Pavilion was built in 1898. Its main purpose was to be the central hall for the Central Canada Exhibition. The building was designed by Moses C. Edey. He was inspired by the famous Crystal Palace in London, England.
The building was named after Lord Aberdeen. He was the Governor General of Canada at the time and opened the building. The Dominion Bridge Company built the pavilion. It took only two months to finish and cost about $75,000. The structure uses large steel arches to hold up the roof. This design creates a huge open space inside, about 3,000 square meters, with no columns.
"Cattle Castle" and Wartime Use
For many years, the pavilion was mainly used for agricultural shows. This is how it got its nickname, "Cattle Castle." During wartime, the building became very important for the military.
- Before the Second Boer War, soldiers from Strathcona's Horse gathered there.
- In the First World War, it was a meeting point for Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
- During the Second World War, it served as a recruiting center. It was also home to the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa and the 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards.
Saving the Pavilion
By 1982, the building was officially recognized as a heritage structure. This meant it was important to protect. However, the pavilion was very old and needed a lot of expensive repairs. It had been closed to the public for years because of serious structural problems. Many windows were broken, and the paint was peeling. Someone had even painted "Cattle Castle" on the front.
The City Council agreed to help pay for the repairs. But the federal and provincial governments did not offer money. In 1991, the Ottawa City Council voted to tear down the building. They felt the cost of fixing it was too high.
The future of the Aberdeen Pavilion became a big topic in the 1991 city election. In 1992, the City Council changed its mind. They approved a basic renovation plan that cost $5.3 million. The newly repaired building opened again in 1994. In 2000, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada named it one of the top 500 buildings in Canada from the last 1,000 years.
What is it Used For Now?
The pavilion was used for many years to show cattle for the Central Canada Exhibition. That exhibition no longer takes place. Today, the Aberdeen Pavilion is used for many special events.
- In December 2017, it was part of a festival for the NHL 100 Classic outdoor hockey game. The Stanley Cup was even displayed there.
- It hosts a farmer's market during the colder months. In summer, the market moves outside.
- A Christmas market is held there in December.
Sports History
The Aberdeen Pavilion has a cool sports history, especially with hockey.
- In 1902, the Ottawa Senators hockey team (then called the Ottawa Hockey Club) built a hockey rink inside the Pavilion.
- In 1904, the team played their entire 1904 season and Stanley Cup challenge matches in the Pavilion. This makes it the oldest surviving venue where the Stanley Cup was played for.
In 1918, the Ottawa Senators almost moved back to the Pavilion. They looked into fixing it up to be a full-time arena. However, the City of Ottawa decided not to restore an ice rink inside. This was because bleachers (seats) had already been built for other uses.
