Latest news with #Hintonburg
Globe and Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
This old-Ottawa pub is scoring big with a new generation of fans
From playoff fever to summer showdowns, it's the season of coming together. This series dives into the bars across Canada where sports aren't just watched – they're felt, shared and celebrated with full hearts. In these unforgettable spaces, the screens glow, the drinks flow and every seat has a story. Located along the commercial artery of one of Ottawa's most storied neighbourhoods, known as Hintonburg, the Senate Tavern on Wellington has a certain magic to it. 'It's almost like its own little city itself, a little bit on the edge of Ottawa,' says Austin Gough, the tavern's general manager. The warm wood tones of the Senate's cozy interior make sense in Hintonburg, which is known for its down-to-earth appeal. But the massive 110-inch TV screens ensure sports fans get what they came for. The walls are decked out with sports gear, from jerseys to helmets, including Buffalo Bills paraphernalia. The NFL team is a favourite of one of the owners. Gough says the bar is packed for NFL games and sometimes they even outdraw the hockey-night crowds. 'If it's a Bills game, we're full every time, no matter what.' The Senate Tavern has three locations: Wellington Street West, Bank Street (just a few minutes down the road from the home of the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks) and Clarence Street. At all three locations, staff are encouraged to follow the sports the customers like so they can converse knowledgeably on game day. The area surrounding the Wellington Street West location has evolved. Hintonburg was a working-class residential neighbourhood, which was established in the mid-1800s and formally became part of the city in 1907. Originally built to house lumber and agricultural workers, the neighbourhood has had its share of gritty tales in the more recent decades. 'Hintonburg had kind of a roughness to it in the 1990s,' says Matt Whitehead, vice-president of the Hintonburg Community Association. A mid-2000s facelift meant revamped sidewalks and new storefronts, all while maintaining cost-effective rents that fostered a spirit of entrepreneurship. 'Because the rents were lower, you'd get people who are just starting out and willing to take some risks and do something different in the stores,' says Whitehead. That revitalization helped lay the groundwork for new businesses to thrive, like the Senate Tavern which opened on Wellington Street West in 2021. Over time, Hintonburg transformed into one of Ottawa's most vibrant and eclectic communities. Even though gentrification has raised the rents on Wellington, 'It's a wonderful main street, a great spot for businesses,' Whitehead maintains. 'The nice thing about Hintonburg is the mix of folks, all different walks of life. Everybody's just trying to live their life and enjoy the neighbourhood.' That mix includes longtime locals, young families that have moved in, artists and a healthy dose of die-hard sports fans. The Senate has become a sort of unofficial arena for Hintonburg's fandom during big games. The tavern even offers game-day shuttles to and from Ottawa Senators games. 'The shuttle takes people to the rink and back, and we offer to-go beverages for the ride,' says Gough. 'Most of the time, after a win, the whole bus comes back in for more drinks.' Local pride also runs through the taps. Pints often come from Pistols Brewery in Kanata, which is co-owned by the Senate Tavern's proprietors. For a bite, the tavern's top menu item shifts between its signature club sandwich and handmade burgers. Gough says the Senate has developed a strong local loyalty, part of what makes the neighbourhood special. 'We've got people who've been coming here since day one. It's a pretty tight community around here, so a lot of regulars, a lot of good friends. There's a real connection.'
CBC
19-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Archdiocese praying that churches won't get heritage designations
'If Jesus were to be here right now, I don't think he'd be in support,' says CAO Media | Archdiocese wary of heritage designation for Hintonburg Catholic church Caption: The Saint-François-d'Assise Catholic Church is a landmark for the Hintonburg community, but the archdiocese is worried a heritage designation would be a burden on parishioners. Open Full Embed in New Tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. The Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall is concerned that heritage designations for two of its Ottawa churches would be more of a burden than a blessing. Last Tuesday, the city's built heritage committee recommended that Saint-François-d'Assise in Hintonburg and Saint-Joseph d'Orléans in Orléans be given heritage protections. But that would only bring unnecessary bureaucracy, according to Richard Pommainville, the archdiocese's chief administrative officer. Ottawa Mosque, ByTowne Cinema could get heritage designation "How does this assist the mission of the church, which is to bring the word of God?" he asked. "If Jesus were to be here right now, I don't think he'd be in support of a designation." But for some in Hintonburg, a designation for Saint-François-d'Assise would be a commitment to retain a beautiful building which looms large in their community and lives on as a piece of their history. Preservation proving costly Buildings that get heritage designations are granted special legal status under the Ontario Heritage Act, which recognizes their cultural value, ensures their preservation and protects them from demolition and inappropriate alteration. Saint-François-d'Assise was built by the Capuchin Fathers in 1914-15, according to the Hintonburg Community Association's (HCA) history and heritage committee. It replaced a smaller church as the population grew, and what was once a garden and orchard at the church, enclosed by a solid wall, is now Hintonburg Park. "There's a lot of beauty behind it, there's no doubt about that," said Pommainville. But maintaining that beauty is costly, he added. In addition to the church's regular operational costs, the stained glass had to be repaired last year — and while they got a "small grant" it didn't cover the full cost, Pommainville said. They also anticipate the church will eventually need a fulsome roof repair, which could cost $500,000. But heritage status in Ontario doesn't come with guaranteed funding, Pommainville said. If governments are interested in preservation efforts, Pommainville said they should follow the lead of countries like France, which sets aside funds to maintain historic buildings. "The [French] government has realized that if we want to protect our heritage, regardless of who the owner is, we basically have to invest." Saint-Joseph d'Orléans is in "the same type of situation," said Pommainville, adding that a heritage designation there might interfere with the cemeteries on site. Like its Hintonburg counterpart, Saint-Joseph d'Orléans is more than 100 years old. It was completed in 1922, also to replace an older, smaller building. Church 'at the centre' of Hintonburg history Saint-François-d'Assise has its own "internal process" when maintenance or repairs are needed, Pommainville said, and a heritage designation would force them to go through that again with the city, costing time and money. But for HCA president Brian Innes, the designation is about ensuring the church remains for future generations. The HCA wrote to the built heritage committee in favour of the designation, noting both the church's history and its unique architecture — which includes five bells cast in France in 1924 and statues of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony. "Hintonburg's got a proud history of over 100 years, and this church is right at the centre of it," Innes said. "Everything else is being torn down because it's cheaper to build new than it is to fix it." But if Saint-François-d'Assise is important to the community, Pommainville said, there should be money set aside for it. "If we were to go in the community and [ask for funds to repair the roof], I'm not sure that many people would be willing to put in $100, $1,000 and so on," he said. "They want the building, but they don't want ... the responsibility that goes with it." The decision is ultimately up to city council, which will consider the built heritage committee's recommendations for both Saint-François-d'Assise and Saint-Joseph d'Orléans at its next meeting on May 28.
CBC
16-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Archdiocese wary of heritage designation for Hintonburg Catholic church
The Saint-François-d'Assise Catholic Church is a landmark for the Hintonburg community, but the archdiocese is worried a heritage designation would be a burden on parishioners.
CTV News
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
High Tea Bake & Dine with Julianna Banana
Ottawa Watch You can bake and sip tea for Mothers Day at this unique cooking class experience in Hintonburg.
