Raccoon forces closure of a section of the Ottawa Baseball Stadium

A section of the stands at Ottawa Baseball Stadium are blocked off due to the possibility of a raccoon. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Ottawa is keeping an eye on an unwelcome fan in the stands at the Ottawa Baseball Stadium, as a raccoon lives in the upper deck of the stadium in the city’s east end.

Fans noticed a section of the right field stands was cordoned off last weekend during the Ottawa Titans series against the Sussex County Miners. Tickets are currently not listed as available for the section.

Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services general manager Dan Chenier says a pair of raccoons settled into a portion of the stands. One raccoon has been relocated from the stadium.

“For everyone’s safety, staff temporarily cordoned off a section of the stands and we worked with a specialized wildlife contractor to install humane traps,” Chenier said in an email to CTV News Ottawa.

“One raccoon has been safely removed and relocated to its natural habitat, and one trap remains in place to determine if the other has left the area or can be safely captured. We are working closely with our partners, the Ottawa Titans, and the section of the stadium will remain closed until it’s safe to reopen.”

The Ottawa Titans told CTV News Ottawa Tuesday afternoon the upper level seats are no longer available to purchase.

“Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the trap remains undisturbed while still in place, the section will remain closed and seats in that section will be unavailable for purchase until further notice,” the Titans said in a statement.

With files CTV News Ottawa’s Peter Szperling