Lansdowne 2.0 debate begins with public input

An artist's rendering of part of the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment, including a new north-side stadium grandstand. Photo by BBB and City of Ottawa

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Ottawa city councillors are set for a lengthy debate on the future of Lansdowne Park, with a number of public delegations set to speak at a special committee meeting Wednesday.

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Members of the finance and corporate services committee have been instructed to reserve the full day on Oct. 29, with the possibility of extending the meeting through Oct. 30 and 31.

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There are 88 public delegations set to speak at the committee meeting this week. Those include construction company executives, members of the local community associations and executives from various sports leagues, including the PWHL.

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There are also 40 written submissions that will be shared with the committee.

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The final vote on the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment proposal will come before council at a meeting on Nov. 7.

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The Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment project proposes to tear down the aging north-side stands and the former Civic Centre, to build a new arena for hockey games and concerts, then replace the stands alongside two new condominium towers.

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Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has touted the deal as a “great investment for the community” with a price tag of $418.8 million, slightly lower than initially forecasted, in an extended partnership with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), which operates the site and owns the Redblacks and 67’s.

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The cost to taxpayers, Sutcliffe said, will be closer to $130 million with the remainder coming from new sources of revenue from the site and the OSEG partnership “waterfall.”

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Coun. Shawn Menard, whose Capital ward is home to Lansdowne Park and who is among the most vocal opponents of the proposed deal, says the true cost will be closer to $483 million after factoring in $44 million for the retail podium and $19 million to construct parking for the two condo towers.

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The new event centre will cost $176 million and will have capacity for 6,600 fans, including 5,850 seats and the rest for standing room. The arena will host the Ottawa 67’s and the Ottawa Charge. The Professional Women’s Hockey League has expressed concern the arena’s capacity will not be suitable to accommodate the Charge and their growing fanbase.

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The former Ottawa Civic Centre (now TD Place Arena) has capacity for about 9,800 fans.

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The construction contract for the event centre and the new north-side stands was awarded to EBC Inc., which submitted the “best value bid” of $312.8 million.