DND Armoury, Lees Avenue, Ottawa, ON

[Robin Craig]

When I first arrived in Ottawa there was an armoury on Lees Avenue close to the Queensway and close to a notorious apartment complex. Ithink it may have housed the Engineers among others.

From memory the site was a former industrial site that was fit for nothing and likely somewhat toxic.

Over time the place was closed and the elements were moved out to a new location on Walkley Road.

Does anyone recall the lattice steel structures at the gates and the wheels on top of them, what were they made from?

Any pictures?

[maple_leaf_eh]

Notorious apartments? Easy there. I lived in one of those for a while. (Errr? Maybe he's referring to me and my disreputable lifestyle of the day?)

Yes. The Engineers used to be on Lees. It was an industrial site that was being reclaimed. At some time when the city was trenching the Transitway, they literally struck oil. Not natural petroleum, but industrial sludge in some underground basin or pool leftover or pumped down there by a coal oil plant years ago. Yup, they don't build'em like they used to.

I remember their buildings were old Quonsets and some gates. No clear memory other than that. One night there was a fire on the 6th floor, and the building was evacuated. The Duty Officer lept into action and allowed people in the PJs and housecoats to shelter in their drill area and garages.