613flea weighing options with Aberdeen Pavilion set to close in spring for 2-year renovation

The Ottawa flea market is searching for a temporary home as the Aberdeen Pavilion gets set to close for two years. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

The Aberdeen Pavilion is due for major restoration work which will require the venue to close for two years, forcing events typically hosted in the space to find a new home in the meantime.

613flea has been held in the Pavilion for 11 years. The bi-weekly event is a large vintage and arts market that takes place both inside and outside the pavilion throughout the year.

Catherine Knoll, market manager for 613flea, says the group has been told the closure could happen in the spring, and that a new space could be possible next door.

“We’ve been told at this point that we can move to the Horticulture Building, but that’s only about 40 per cent of the size of this building,” she explains.

Knoll says the group understands the need for renovations but admits moving the event is proving to be a challenge.

She explains there are up to 150 venders and more than 5,000 visitors who attend each event. Knoll says all options are being considered.

“We’ve got some fabulous artisans here. People in the circular community that do vintage clothing and antiques and fabulous food vendors,” she says. “And we’d really like to, you know, be able to run it in its present form.”

Jesse Lockyer says it will be a say day when the pavilion closes. The vender, who owns The Gus which sells vintage items, says he’s been a part of 613flea for two years and enjoys the space.

“It’s a beautiful space that people can enjoy and it’s the perfect atmosphere for this event,” he says. “I think we’re all going to have a little tears in our eyes, but hopefully it’ll come back a little stronger.”

Susan Johns, the city’s Asset Management Services Director, says the city is undergoing a search for a contractor and there is no price tag for the final project yet.

“A procurement process is underway to identify a preferred General Contractor for the rehabilitation of the Aberdeen Pavilion,” reads the statement sent to CTV News Ottawa. “A full cost estimate and schedule for the project will be available once a contractor has been selected. Rehabilitation work is anticipated to commence in Q2 2026 and finish in Q2 2028.”

The current restoration work will include a full roof replacement, a new concrete floor and work on the wood heritage windows and doors.

The Aberdeen Pavilion was built in 1893 and served as the central exhibition hall for the Central Canada Exhibition until it closed in 1987, according to the city. Council passed a resolution on July 2, 1992, to invest in the building’s restoration and reopen it for the public.

The current restoration work will consist of a full roof replacement, work on the wood heritage windows and doors and a new concrete floor, among others.

Rawlson King, the city’s chair of the Built Heritage Committee, says the work is due.

“The reality is that this is the only exhibition space that’s still in existence like this since the 19th century,” he says. “So, it’s important that we protect this wonderful heritage building - a real jewel in our city.”

Vendors like Lisa Wilson say they understand the work needs to be done to preserve the building and she hopes another space can be found to accommodate.

“We love, as artists, to sell with the vintage sellers, and I hope that it can still be mixed like that, but I think we probably won’t be all selling at the same time,” Wilson said. “There’s not too many venues that size around us.”

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