PWHL says Lansdowne 2.0 project a ‘step back’

The next few days will be a telling time for whether Lansdowne 2.0 will pass, as it reaches its first step: the Finance and Corporate Services Committee. 

With so much interest in the highly controversial file, three days have been allocated for public delegation, and at least 65 people have signed up to speak, including developers, community association members, a former police chief, and former Ottawa Mayor Jim Durrell. 

Meanwhile, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has been wasting no time putting out daily positive messages on the Lansdowne file. He is sticking to his talking points of the final cost being lower than expected, revenue from air rights being higher than expected, and funding for affordable housing increasing to $14.4 million. 

But questions are now being raised about what could happen to some of Ottawa’s sports teams if smaller facilities are built. The Ottawa Charge Women’s Hockey Team, as an example, would have only about 5,850 seats – roughly 3,000 less than the current.

The PWHL is calling Lansdowne 2.0 “a huge step back,” and said they would consider leaving Ottawa if the new arena is no longer viable. 

“It puts our league and our team in a position to really not thrive,” Amy Scheer, the league’s executive vice president of business operations, told CBC. “It's a huge step back in terms of having an opportunity for our fans to see our team play. You know, 3,000 less fans a game is a significant hit … it's not a financial model that makes any kind of sense.”

Barrhaven East Coun. Wilson Lo said he is not too worried about the sports teams leaving. But what he is worried about is the long-term financial benefits of Lansdowne 2.0 coming to fruition. 

“I'm actually okay with the built form that's proposed. I think staff did their work to analyze what the average size of an arena is,” he told the Lookout. “To my knowledge, each extra ring of seats would cost a lot more. What is interesting to me is that when the PWH agreed to locate in Ottawa, the Lansdowne Project was already active. Information about a smaller arena was already out there.”

Those sentiments were also shared by Mayor Sutcliffe who said he felt the PWHL’s comments were a negotiating tactic for a new lease with OSEG.

But Lo still plans to vote no to the project. “I can't put myself past the financial risk,” he said. 

There is also the worry of whether the Redblacks will leave town. It is a situation that has happened before. The Ottawa Roughriders folded in 1996 due to financial struggles and declining attendance. A similar instance happened a decade later when the Ottawa Renegades suspended operations in 2006 after never making the playoffs. 

Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group is adamant the team will stay. And if Lansdowne 2.0 does go through, the franchise would need to operate through to 2075. 

But Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard is not convinced. He said a firm commitment is needed on paper. 

“If they’re committed to receiving funding from the City of Ottawa, from taxpayers here, then they should be committed to keeping those teams in Ottawa for the long term,” he told CBC. 

The vote tracker

As councillors prepare for the final vote on Nov. 7, many have been providing a window into if they support Lansdowne 2.0 or not. 

Yes votes

David Hill: The Barrhaven West councillor has confirmed on social media that he is in support of Lansdowne 2.0 and has made multiple posts stating why the existing arena needs to be torn down.

Matthew Luloff: The Orléans councillor confirmed in an interview with the Lookout that he wants to see Lansdowne 2.0 go through so it can attract bigger events such as the Invictus Games. 

Isabelle Skalski: Despite initially saying during this year’s byelection that she would be voting against Lansdowne, the newbie Osgoode councillor confirmed to the Lookout last week that she is now in support of the project after hearing supportive views from city staff. 

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe: Since he was first elected three years ago, Sutcliffe has been adamant that a new Lansdowne would be a good investment for the city. Last Monday, he held a press conference stating the final cost was actually cheaper than expected and that more revenue from air rights would help with the bill. 

Cathy Curry: The Kanata North city councillor has a Lansdowne 2.0 fact page on her website that paints a positive picture of the project. 

Glen Gower: While the Stittsville councillor has not confirmed he will vote in favour of Lansdowne 2.0, comments he’s made have suggested he is in support of the file going through. Gower has noted that money would not be utilized elsewhere if the vote were to fail and that a reduction in seating would be ok since it was done in consultation with experts.  

No votes

Shawn Menard: The Capital Ward councillor has launched various campaigns to try and put a stop to Lansdowne. After the final reports were shared last week, Menard stated that the final costs were higher than what the city was actually saying. 

Jessica Bradley: The Gloucester-Southgate councillor has been consistent with her opposing views to Lansdowne 2.0, and Bradley confirmed in her newsletter this week that she will vote “no” given the failure to improve site access, the removal of amenity space, and the financial aspect. 

Wilson Lo: Despite originally supporting a Lansdowne 2.0 vote in 2024, the Barrhaven East councillor has stated that he had only done so to learn more information and that since then, there has been no positive economic case made for the plans to go ahead.

Sean Devine: The Knoxdale-Merivale councillor recently stated in his newsletter that he does not have confidence in the financial projections – especially after the benefits of Lansdowne 1.0 never fully materialized. 

Theresa Kavanagh: The Bay Ward councillor has confirmed she will be voting “no”. 

Jeff Leiper: The hopeful mayoral candidate and Kitchissippi councillor has regularly opposed the reduction in seating for both the new north-side stands and arena. He also recently criticized Mayor Sutcliffe for hosting a Lansdowne press conference before councillors were able to read the final report. 

Ariel Troster: The Somerset Ward representative has indicated that she would prefer the money were invested in other key areas such as homelessness and transit.

Undecided 

Laine Johnson: The College Ward councillor has said she needs more time to read the final report, but noted she has heard from many College Ward residents who are opposed to the project. 

David Brown: The Rideau Jock representative has many concerns about Lansdowne 2.0 – especially its financials – but is still making up his mind on how to vote. 

Councillors who have not commented on the project

Steve Desroches (Riverside South-Findlay Creek), Allan Hubley (Kanata South), Catherine Kitts (Orléans South-Navan), Tim Tierney (Beacon Hill-Cyrville), Clark Kelly (West Carleton-March), Riley Brockington (River), Rawlson King (Rideau Rockcliffe), Stephanie Plante (Rideau Vanier), Marty Carr (Alta Vista), and Laura Dudas (Orléans West-Innes)