OTTAWA, ONTARIO
---------------------
After dealing with trademark issues, Ottawa Guardians owner Osgiliath Guard finally announced Ithilien Gardens, a massive 21,203 seat arena.
"The Gardens are a testimony to hockey, both across the league and across the city. While the name is a tie-in to Dol Amroth Company, the building itself is a hockey shrine," he said.
And indeed, the arena is impressive and does convey the history of the game. Built in a Greco-Roman style, the arena features large arched windows that overlook Parliament Hill and the surrounding city-scape. Around the building are states of various players from throughout the league's history all represented in their association uniforms. The entire AltHL Pantheon is represented in some form along with notable players such as the Vanvouver Glaciers' Eric Lindros.
The main entrance is clearly the Garden's greatest feature. A 35-foot gate with blank faced figures wearing Ottawa Guardians uniforms in heroic poses adorn the doors and 5 large skaters are above the gate.
"These statues with the blank faces will be our inaugural roster. We want to be able to always remember them and to honour them properly," Osgiliath Gaurd said in answer to questions.
Inside, the arena is state of the art. Directly inside the door is a large statue dedicated to the soldiers who gave their lives for Canada. The team store is located to the right and is the largest team store in the league. Other attractions are a booth where guests can test their shot against a live goalie on game-day, medieval hockey rinks, and an entire air hockey center that hosts tournaments year-round.
Food options include your classic hockey fare like McDonald's, Beaver Tails, and popcorn. However, the main attraction is the medieval kitchen. It sells rotisserie chicken, beef and other meats, as well as different pastries from the Middle Ages. Warm beer or ale is also available here. All dishes are prepared in traditional medieval methods and turn out quite amazing.
The walls of the causeway are painted to depict various hockey scenes painted in a late-medieval style. Famous scenes like Gretzky's runaway celebrstion or Patrick Roys' Statue of Liberty Save are featured prominently. However, the majority of the scenes are not yet finished as they are waiting to put the likenesses of the Ottawa Guardians roster on the figures.
The AltHL entry draft is set for this Saturday at 8:00pm. Tune into Sportsnet 1,2,3 and 360 to catch the action.
Last edited by Osgiliath Guard (10/06/2021 6:30 am)
Dan O'Mac wrote:
