1) How did the Sens Mile come in to being?

During the Sens’ 2007 playoff run, Cameron Bishop and Sarah O’Grady were driving down Elgin Street after the Sens made it to the semi-finals in the run to the Stanley Cup. Both agreed that Ottawa fans needed a place to come out, every night, to celebrate the team’s achievements — much like they did in Calgary and Edmonton. Elgin was destined to be the best place due to the great bars and restaurants, the fact that it was central to everything and that it was 1.2 miles long.

The Facebook group “Elgin Street – The Sens Mile” was created that night with Cameron and Sarah as Administrators.  In short order, people started logging on — but we knew more promotion was needed.  Decking themselves out in their Sens gear, Cameron and Sarah printed off flyers and walked door-to-door along the Mile asking local businesses for their support and handing out flyers to passerbys.  The response was terrific.  A few phone calls in to the Mayor’s office and local media served to spur it forward as the Facebook group itself grew.  We were fortunate to find AMAZING partners in the organizers of SensNation — the official fan site of the Sens Mile.  Owen and Chris are the two guys who have designed this website and whose energy is contagious!  We feel fortunate to have teamed up with such amazing fans!

Throughout the last two rounds of the Sens playoff runs, the fans gathered and gathered and gathered to cheer on their team. Soon, the City of Ottawa put up red “Sens Mile” signs identifying Elgin Street as the place to be during the Sens drive for the Cup.  The pride was electric and when the guys won games, people piled into the street forcing the City to shut down Elgin to allow for a mammoth street party that culminated in a celebratory march to Parliament Hill.

2) What are you getting out of this?

Nothing — and we don’t want anything except a place for the fans of Ottawa to gather on game nights to celebrate and party – in a manner befitting Ottawa – as the Sens march towards Lord Stanley.

The one thing we ask is that people support businesses on Elgin who are raising funds for Roger’s House, the charity of choice of the Sens Foundation.

3) What can the City do to support the Sens Mile?

In Round 4, they absolutely must put the street signs back up along Elgin Street and issues permits to vendors to set-up little kiosks where they can sell Sens memorabilia.  Finally, putting up big screen tvs again in Festival Plaza at City Hall and allowing for bands and such to play on weekend game nights to stoke up the atmosphere would be ideal.

4) Is the City going to officially designate Elgin Street “The Sens Mile”?

On April 14, 2010 – the start of the 2010 Stanley Cup playoff run – Councillor Diane Holmes (whose ward Sens Mile resides in) and Councillor Jan Harder will table a motion to full City Council calling for Elgin Street to be designated “Sens Mile” throughout the playoffs!

5) What can the fans do to support the Mile?

They can come out to Elgin Street, decked out in their finest Sens gear, each and every game night.Residents along Elgin Street that face the Mile should hang red towels out their windows or off their decks, or even Sens flags, etc. They can also start decking their cars out with decals and flags to show the guys that this City is not lukewarm when it comes to fan support.  And they can – as mentioned before – support businesses on Elgin who are raising funds for Roger’s House, the charity of choice of the Sens Foundation.

6) What can local businesses on Elgin Street do to support the Mile?

They can decorate their windows and help to foster an atmosphere of excitement along Elgin Street for the Senators. It’s pretty simple really: decorate, promote the Sens and the fans will come party with you.  In addition – and most importantly – they can join our fundraising effort for Roger’s House.

7) Should we do street rallies in Round 1?

No.  Keep it to the bars, restaurants and patios. Feel free to go on the sidewalks.  But stay OFF the roads.  Let’s do a slow build and save the bigger celebrations for later in the playoffs.

8 ) How can you reach the organizers of the Mile?

Four ways: our website (www.sensmile.com) by email: elginthesensmile@yahoo.ca,on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sensmile or on Facebook (Elgin Street – the Sens Mile group or the Sens Mile fan page)