Is Lansdowne 2.0 at risk? Council support may be on the decline

Despite the many critics, as far as Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is concerned, there is no other option but to build Lansdowne 2.0. But do his council colleagues agree? Less than a handful of votes need to change for the project to fail. And that could happen.

“We cannot let that asset dwindle,” Sutcliffe told the Ottawa Lookout, comparing the situation to the degradation of 24 Sussex Dr. “The cost of doing something with that site is exponentially higher because nothing was done,” he says of the former formal residence of Canadian prime ministers.

With Lansdowne 2.0, “we have an opportunity to invest taxpayers’ money to get a much higher return on investment,” the Mayor says. 

According to City of Ottawa figures, the cost to renovate and expand Lansdowne 2.0 will be $416 million, with new revenue streams expected to generate $272.5 million, leaving a municipal investment of $146 million. The revenue will be derived from property air rights — the legal ability to use or sell the space above a property; incremental property taxes; rental income from the partnership for the stadium and new event centre; revenue shares from event ticket sales, and a share of annual profits from the partnership.

Council is expected to vote on Lansdowne 2.0 in the fall. The private sector is now formulating bids for the project, which will include the construction of a new event centre, north-side stands and eventually residential units. 

But it will result in a decrease of greenspace and seats for fans. About 3,000 seats would be removed from the stadium's north-side stands and another 4,300 seats from the hockey arena. Outside, around 50,000 to 52,000 square feet of the Great Lawn and existing berm — a popular toboggan spot — would be removed for development. 

Detractors of the project cite this loss, among other things, as reasons they are opposed. Nevertheless, Mayor Sutcliffe is resolute that the project is necessary, noting that there are misconceptions and misinformation circulating about Lansdowne 2.0 and its associated costs.

This story is only available for members. Support neighbourhood news in Ottawa.