Ottawa’s $419M Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment passes committee 8–3 after heated debate, heading to city council for a final decision next week.
Lansdowne 2.0 Approved, Moves to Ottawa Council Vote
Committee Endorses $419M Redevelopment Plan
The City of Ottawa’s finance and corporate services committee voted 8–3 on Thursday to advance the $419-million Lansdowne 2.0 plan to city council. The decision followed two days of debate and public delegations at City Hall, marking a crucial step toward redeveloping one of the capital’s most visible entertainment and sports hubs.
Scope of the Redevelopment
The Lansdowne 2.0 proposal includes rebuilding the north-side stadium stands, replacing the existing arena and event centre, improving accessibility, and adding new residential and retail space. Supporters argue these upgrades are vital to keeping the site viable for major sports and entertainment events.
Differing Views on the Project
While proponents highlighted long-term economic and cultural benefits, critics questioned the project’s financing model and its extended partnership with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), which owns the Ottawa Redblacks and Ottawa 67’s. Concerns also centred on whether both teams would remain at Lansdowne beyond their current commitment, which ends in 2032.
Teams Commit to Stay Longer
OSEG executive chair Roger Greenberg reassured councillors that both the Redblacks and 67’s would stay through 2042. “The Ottawa Redblacks quite practically can’t play anywhere else,” Greenberg said. His statement led Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard to amend his motion requesting a 10-year extension to the team commitment, which the committee carried.
Boost for Affordable Housing
Menard also secured additional funding for affordable housing tied to the sale of air rights from new residential developments. The share was increased from $9.75 million to $22.75 million, more than doubling the initial amount. The change aims to ensure broader community benefits from the high-profile redevelopment.
Financing Through Hotel Tax
The total debt associated with Lansdowne 2.0 is projected to reach $694 million, including interest. The city plans to cover annual payments of $17.4 million in part by raising the municipal accommodation tax on hotel stays from five to six percent. About $2 million annually from that increase will go toward servicing the debt.
Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper proposed linking that contribution to 40 percent of total accommodation tax revenue to account for inflation, but the motion was defeated. Leiper, Menard, and Coun. Rawlson King voted against the project, while eight councillors, including Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, supported it. Coun. Riley Brockington was absent due to health reasons.
Public Voices Reflect Division
Thursday’s session marked the last chance for residents to comment on the proposal. Opinions were split: supporters cited economic growth and new entertainment options, while opponents urged investment in existing facilities. Marcia Morris of the Ottawa Sport Council said Ottawa has lost hosting opportunities due to aging venues such as the Nepean Sportsplex.
Ali Shafaee, vice-president of Live Nation Canada, supported the plan, saying a new mid-sized event centre would help Ottawa attract more concerts and touring acts. “We tend to skip over Ottawa,” Shafaee said. “And a lot of that is based on the facilities we have available to us.”
Final Vote Ahead
The Lansdowne 2.0 proposal now advances to full city council for a final vote next week. If approved, construction could begin in 2026, reshaping a major civic destination at the heart of the Glebe.
