Low Down Articles
Echoes from the Past
Article 18 of 111
This article first appeared in the "Echoes from the Past" column of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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Dome Hill
This done shaped hill, 125 feet in height, lies between Ironside and the A5 Autoroute, and has served in its time both as a skiing centre and a focus for golfers.
In November of 1920 the Ottawa Ski Club obtained exclusive rights to Dome Hill near Ironside.
By 1922 the pattern was established for hundreds of Ottawa skiers to spend Saturday afternoon at Dome. They came by streetcar to Wrightville (now part of Hull) and skied the three miles to Dome Hill Lodge, which by this time had been constructed. It was the Club's only lodge with a fireplace, always an attraction on a cold day.
Another drawing card was the first rope tow which was installed at the Dome by the Club.
Photographs and the text in the History of the Ottawa Ski Club by Herbert Marshall indicate that the lodge at Dome Hill was enlarged three times to cater to the huge crowds which used its facilities which included by this time a cafeteria.
As the Club developed Dome Hill was used for a program of instruction for juniors.
Andy Davies, son of Dr. Davies who was noted as a player, coach, president and physician of the Ottawa Rough Riders, wrote an article for the 1982 annual "Up the Gatineau!" "I remember many a Saturday afternoon, in the 1930s, standing atop the Dome and watching the C.P.R.'s "Gatineau Flyer" chugging up towards Maniwaki and wishing I was aboard as far as Kaz (Kazabazua) and my beloved Danford."
The lodge was dismantled in 1956, being moved to Camp Fortune. Slowly there was a withdrawal from mainly trail to downhill skiing. The Club's activities became centered on Fortune where tows were in place on nearby slopes. There they also built a jumping facility for those with that inclination. These trends freed up Dome Hill area for other uses - perhaps golf.
The Dome Gold Club was established as an 18 hole par 72 course, and was popular for a while. Unfortunately the club ran into financial difficulties and went bankrupt. Cho (?) Brothers Ltd. took over the operation next, with plans for a redesigned course and the construction for a new clubhouse. To help pay some of the cost of the changes a portion of the property was sold to residential developers. Shares at $12,500 will be sold which will turn the Dome Golf Course into an equity one.
With 1992's weather, construction of the clubhouse and laying out of the course was more than a little hampered. In 1993 the Club will be reopened with perhaps only nine holes for the season.
Dome Hill has, through the years seen residential encroachment with the services accompanying such development, among which is a brand new and adequate school.