The Department of National Defence (DND) is examining the possibility of temporarily converting sports fields into parking lots and constructing a new parkade to address major parking shortages at its Carling Campus headquarters. The campus currently has approximately 5,000 parking spots for a facility designed to accommodate more than 10,000 staff members.
Growing Frustration Among Employees
Anger has been mounting among military personnel and public servants working at the west end headquarters due to insufficient parking spaces. Employees report a daily scramble to find spots, with some resorting to parking partially on grass or at the ends of rows in non-designated areas. Military police recently ordered the towing of 13 vehicles belonging to government workers and military personnel.
Meeting with City Officials
DND officials met with the City of Ottawa and OC Transpo representatives on May 15 to find solutions. According to a department record of the talks obtained by the Ottawa Citizen, options discussed included increasing bus frequency to the area and building a 1.5-kilometer sidewalk from the future Moodie LRT station to the Carling Campus. The record also noted the temporary conversion of sports fields to parking, with feasibility underway, and options for a new parkade as a major capital project.
Potential Conversion of Sports Fields
The Carling Campus has several fields and spaces used for physical fitness and other activities that could potentially be converted. The proposed parkade, which would add 1,500 parking spaces, has been under consideration for years. A site assessment for a six-story facility was conducted in 2020, but no progress was made on that project.
DND spokesman Kened Sadiku confirmed that officials are working closely with OC Transpo and the city to explore various options, including transit convenience, as the department prepares for increased workplace presence. He stated, "Officials agreed to look at the need for coordinated, short- and long-term solutions to support workforce mobility and Ottawa's role as a growing defence hub." Regarding the conversion of sports fields and new parkade, Sadiku noted that the department continues to assess ways to use existing property and nearby sites for parking, but additional measures have not reached full costing and no final decisions have been made.
The core issue remains that the campus has around 5,000 parking spots for over 10,000 staff. Employees can purchase a monthly parking pass for $75, but even with a pass, a spot is not guaranteed.
