The City of Ottawa is currently reviewing a proposal by Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) to build a new arena and concert venue overlooking the end zone of TD Place stadium at Lansdowne. The project, called Lansdowne 2.0, includes a $183 million arena to be built over two years, followed by new $139 million north-side stadium stands, with costs offset largely by the development of high-rise residential towers. While the concept was approved by the previous city council under former mayor Jim Watson in 2022, critics say it’s happening without enough scrutiny from the public or the new council.
The proposed plan would see a new municipally-owned arena constructed at the end zone of the football field, partly on the current park space, paid for in large part by the development of three towers above new north-side stands. The existing TD Place arena would be demolished and relocated to the east side of the football field, and the new arena would have a green roof that is not intended to be publicly accessible. The remaining space near the Rideau Canal could be much better designed to draw people, according to OSEG President and CEO Mark Goudie, who says architect Murray Beynon has developed an “amazing design” for the new arena.
However, some residents remain skeptical of the cost and feasibility of the project, given the financial turbulence of the Lansdowne partnership’s first decade. At public consultations in recent weeks, attendees asked direct questions about the financial strategy and expressed concerns about transportation issues for events at Lansdowne, as well as the arena’s downsizing to a capacity of 5,500 people from the current 9,500.
City staff are not considering other locations and will present updated costs and agreements soon to the new council, which is expected to make decisions before the summer break. While the project is meant to upgrade aging facilities and draw events to the area, some residents feel that more options should be explored and that the city’s investment should be reconsidered.
