Rockcliffe Park, Ontario

Rockcliffe Park is a neighbourhood in Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward in the east-end of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is the wealthiest neighbourhood in the city and is one of the most prosperous enclaves in Canada. From 1926 until 2001 it was an independent village, but was amalgamated with the rest of the city in January 1, 2001. As of 2011, it had a population of 2,021.

Geography

As it was long a separate village not under the jurisdiction of Ottawa's municipal government, Rockcliffe Park differs from the rest of the city. It has very few sidewalks, and is also relatively inaccessible to through traffic. Much of Rockcliffe is still wooded, and the houses are set far apart on wide lots.

The area is northeast of downtown, on the southern banks of the Ottawa River. It encompasses the small McKay Lake (a Meromictic lake) Sand Pits Lake, and the Rockeries, a rock garden and playing field maintained by the National Capital Commission (NCC). The largely francophone Vanier neighbourhood, which was also long a separate village, lies to the south.

Rockliffe Park (Hurworth)

Rockliffe Park near Hurworth, County Durham, is Middlesbrough Football Club's training facility and sports complex.

History of Rockliffe Park

Early years (1863-1996)

In 1863, Arthur Backhouse (a member of the Quaker banking family of Darlington) built Rockliffe Hall, then known as Pilmore Hall. The grounds and hall were then sold off to Lord Southampton and used as a command headquarters during World War II. The estate was then split amongst the family and then sold to the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God in 1948. The brothers built St Cuthbert's Hospital, and remained there until the Order moved to nearby Scorton in 1991.

Ownership by Middlesbrough F.C. (1997-date)

Following a period in which the area had been unused, Middlesbrough purchased Rockliffe Park in 1997. Following extensive research including visiting the academies of clubs like AFC Ajax, Middlesbrough finally developed Rockliffe Park training complex. It was constructed by Riverside Stadium builders Taylor Woodrow and cost £7 million. The complex was officially opened on 29 October 1998 by British Prime Minister Tony Blair.