In a striking show of community spirit, Ottawa’s iconic Bank Street will temporarily adopt a new identity as “Charge Avenue” to rally behind the city’s professional basketball team, the Ottawa Charge.
The name change, approved yesterday by city officials, will take effect next week just as the Canadian Elite Basketball League team begins its playoff run. Street signs along the bustling downtown corridor will display the team’s name and vibrant colors.
“This is about building civic pride and showing our athletes that Ottawa stands firmly behind them,” said Councillor Karim Mahmoud, who spearheaded the initiative. “When the players see their team name stretching across one of our most important thoroughfares, it sends a powerful message of support.”
The Ottawa Charge, who play their home games at TD Place Arena, have surprised many basketball experts this season. Despite being new to the league, they’ve secured a playoff position through what head coach Nathaniel Wilson describes as “relentless defensive effort and community-first mentality.”
Local businesses along the renamed stretch have embraced the initiative with enthusiasm. Many have already decorated their storefronts with the team’s blue and gold colors and offered special promotions for ticket holders.
“We’ve seen about a 15 percent uptick in foot traffic on game days,” noted Janelle Kim, owner of Capital Brew Coffee House. “The renaming just makes that connection between downtown businesses and the team even stronger.”
Sports marketing experts suggest such municipal gestures can significantly impact team performance and community engagement. Dr. Thomas Reynolds from Carleton University’s Sports Management Program explains, “When players feel embraced by their city, it creates a psychological advantage. Plus, these visible shows of support tend to boost ticket sales and merchandise revenue.”
The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group reports that season ticket sales for the Charge have exceeded initial projections by nearly 30 percent. The team’s success has brought welcome economic activity to the Lansdowne Park area.
Mayor Jim Watson praised the initiative during yesterday’s press conference at City Hall. “Ottawa has always been more than just a government town. We’re a community that rallies behind our own, whether in politics, culture, or sports.”
Not everyone supports the temporary rebrand, however. Some historical preservation advocates have expressed concern about even briefly changing the name of a street with such deep roots in Ottawa’s history. Bank Street has carried its name since the city’s earliest days.
“I understand the enthusiasm, but we shouldn’t casually rename streets that carry our heritage,” said Margaret Williams of the Ottawa Historical Society. “Perhaps more temporary signage would have sufficed.”
City officials were quick to clarify that the name change is ceremonial and temporary, lasting only through the playoff season. All official documentation and addresses will continue to use “Bank Street” during this period.
The first game of the playoff series is scheduled for next Thursday at TD Place, with the Charge facing the Montreal Alliance in what promises to be a well-attended showdown. Local restaurants are already reporting full reservation books for pre-game dinners.
For the players themselves, the street renaming represents something deeper than just civic marketing. Team captain Marcus Johnson told reporters after practice yesterday, “When you’re grinding through a long season, these gestures mean everything. It shows we’re not just playing for ourselves—we’re playing for Ottawa.”
The ceremonial unveiling of the first “Charge Avenue” sign will take place Monday morning at the intersection with Laurier Avenue, with team mascot “Sparky” and several players in attendance. City officials expect a significant turnout for the event.
Whether the renaming brings the team good fortune remains to be seen, but it has certainly charged up local basketball fans for what promises to be an exciting playoff run.
