On Tuesday, July 6, 2021, the City’s Finance and Economic Development Committee approved a set of directions that would allow staff to explore options to address current challenges at Lansdowne Park and make it a 365-day-a-year destination that all residents and visitors can enjoy. These options are intended to attract five million visitors to the site each year and make the Lansdowne Partnership sustainable over the remaining 33 years of the Agreement.
The recommendations respond to Council’s direction in December 2020 to explore how the City, on its own and working in partnership with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), can address the site’s aging infrastructure, enhance animation, improve public amenities and possibly increase the site’s residential density. The report seeks to meet Council’s urban intensification principles, including for affordable housing, in a way that would ensure the sustainability and long-term financial viability of Lansdowne’s operations and the partnership.
Committee recommends that Council approve that the City investigate the potential to replace the Civic Centre and North Side stands with new and modern structures. They also recommend reviewing and improving the urban park/public realm amenities and programming.
If approved by Council, the Committee’s recommendations are the first steps, meaning that staff will proceed with necessary due diligence and begin the process of extensive public engagement to find out what the public wants to see at an improved Lansdowne Park. If the recommendations in the report are approved, staff anticipate presenting an update and potential proposal to City Council in Q1 2022.
Recommendations from the meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, July 21, unless otherwise indicated.
