Lansdowne 2.0: Key Messages
Download the full Factsheet here:
|
| ||||
Download more Lansdowne 2.0 Files here:
|
| ||||
|
| ||||
| report_-_lansdowne_partnership_agreements.pdf |
|
Supporting Documents for Item 3.4
| ||
Ottawa Citizen Article: Lansdowne 2.0 vote is a victory for common sense | Opinion
November 12th, 2025
November 12th, 2025
Randall Denley: "While any big spending decision has an element of risk, the plan to revamp Lansdowne is as solid as one can get."
Link to the Article: Ottawa Citizen
Lansdowne 2.0 is a forward-thinking plan to modernize a key City-owned asset and important destination for residents across Ottawa.
This project will replace critical, deteriorating buildings from 1967 with a modern, multi-purpose landmark that will serve Ottawa for generations.
Financing and the real cost to taxpayers
Economic and community benefits
A modern, green and accessible Lansdowne
The cost of doing nothing
Lansdowne 2.0: Myths and Facts
Myth: Lansdowne 2.0 will cost taxpayers $418.8 million.
Fact: The real cost to taxpayers is $130 million. Lansdowne 2.0 will generate revenues that will cover 69 per cent of the total investment.
Myth: Revenues should cover all of the cost of construction, or it’s not a good deal.
Fact: Normally, when the City invests in infrastructure such as libraries, community centres, sports facilities, and swimming pools, it covers the entire cost. In this case, the City will cover less than one-third of the cost. The City will receive a $418.8-million asset in return for a $130-million investment.
Myth: If we don’t proceed with Lansdowne 2.0, we could invest the money in other priorities.
Fact: If Lansdowne 2.0 doesn’t proceed, the $288.1 million in revenues from the new development will not be generated. Therefore, the money will not be available to the City to invest elsewhere.
Myth: We don’t need to fix Lansdowne. The existing facility is fine.
Fact: The North Side Stands and Event Centre are nearly 60 years old. They are deteriorating and past their functional life span. They also do not meet modern standards for energy efficiency and accessibility.
Myth: There is no cost to wait and do this project later.
Fact: If we don’t invest in improving this City-owned asset, we will lose tenants, events, and significant economic activity. Event organizers are already telling tourism officials that they will not return to Lansdowne until it is renewed. If we wait another decade, when the facilities are 70 years old, the net cost to taxpayers to replace these same facilities will increase from $130 million to between $597 million and $752 million. The cost of doing nothing is greater than the investment in Lansdowne 2.0.
Myth: The revenue projections for Lansdowne 2.0 are unrealistic.
Fact: Revenue projections for Lansdowne are based on conservative estimates that have been rigorously vetted throughout the planning process, including by external experts. The finalized funding plan also includes revenue figures that exceed our earlier estimates, including a significant increase in the sale price for air rights, lower than expected construction costs and a larger contribution to the City’s affordable housing fund.
Myth: Taxpayers are investing in privately owned facilities and financially supporting professional sports teams.
Fact: The people of Ottawa own Lansdowne Park. It’s our responsibility to invest in the maintenance and improvement of City-owned infrastructure, and to ensure its long-term viability.
Myth: There has not been adequate public consultation about Lansdowne 2.0.
Fact: There has been substantial public consultation about the plans for Lansdowne 2.0. Since 2024, the City has organized 18 distinct public engagement sessions, drawing feedback from more than 900 participants and more than 135 public delegations at Committee meetings.
Myth: The arena is only 5,000 seats and will be too small.
Fact: The capacity of the arena will be approximately 7,000 people for concerts and 6,600 for hockey. The size of the arena was determined through consultation with experts in professional and amateur sports and producers of major events, to serve the widest number of events possible. This is the ideal size for a facility of this nature and will lead to the maximum amount of usage by sports and event producers.
Myth: Lansdowne 1.0 was a mistake.
Fact: The redeveloped Lansdowne project has been a success, converting acres of concrete into a major attraction in the city. More than four million people visit Lansdowne every year. Officials from other cities have toured Lansdowne to learn how to do a similar project in their own communities. Now it’s time to finish what Lansdowne 1.0 started by renewing the infrastructure not addressed in the original project.
This project will replace critical, deteriorating buildings from 1967 with a modern, multi-purpose landmark that will serve Ottawa for generations.
Financing and the real cost to taxpayers
- Lansdowne 2.0 is a chance to invest $130 million today, only $4.3 million annually, and end up with a refreshed community space worth more than three times that, valued at over $418 million.
- The finalized funding plan for Lansdowne won’t raise your property taxes or take money away from other City projects. It is built to be financially sustainable and protect other priorities.
- It’s a smart, responsible investment. New revenue generated by a revitalized Lansdowne will cover 69 cents of every dollar spent on redevelopment.
- The finalized plan is full of positive changes:
- Construction costs are lower than expected.
- We are receiving much more than expected from the sale of air rights ($65 million instead of the estimated $39 million) for future residential towers. Air rights are the legal right to use or build in the space above the property.
- We will contribute more than expected to our Affordable Housing Reserve Fund ($14.4 million).
- The long-term investment for Lansdowne 2.0 is $4.3 million annually, less than the cost of operating a community recreation facility. The cost of doing nothing, simply maintaining the existing operations, is $8 million or more annually.
Economic and community benefits
- This project will be a powerful economic driver, triggering a nearly $1 billion capital investment in our city.
- Lansdowne 2.0 will create hundreds of high-quality local jobs during a time of economic uncertainty – nearly 500 new jobs annually during construction and more than 400 permanent, full-time jobs once completed.
- A redeveloped Lansdowne will support Ottawa’s economic health, adding $590 million in GDP over the next decade and $89 million annually in visitor spending once fully operational.
- A modernized Lansdowne will become a more attractive and competitive destination for major events – with a projected 22 per cent increase in ticketed attendees and $8 million in new out-of-town spending annually.
A modern, green and accessible Lansdowne
- We are building a modern Lansdowne with new sports and entertainment facilities, retail, and vibrant public spaces.
- The new facilities will be much more environmentally friendly, achieving LEED Silver certification with a 36% improvement in energy use and a 31% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity.
- Accessibility will be significantly enhanced across the entire site, making it a welcoming place for all residents and visitors.
The cost of doing nothing
- Delaying this project will cost taxpayers much more in the long run.
- If we wait another decade, the net cost to taxpayers to replace these same facilities will increase from $130 million to between $597 million and $752 million.
- Without modern venues, Lansdowne will lose out on major events, tourism, and the economic activity that comes with them. This plan is the most cost-effective and responsible path forward.
Lansdowne 2.0: Myths and Facts
Myth: Lansdowne 2.0 will cost taxpayers $418.8 million.
Fact: The real cost to taxpayers is $130 million. Lansdowne 2.0 will generate revenues that will cover 69 per cent of the total investment.
Myth: Revenues should cover all of the cost of construction, or it’s not a good deal.
Fact: Normally, when the City invests in infrastructure such as libraries, community centres, sports facilities, and swimming pools, it covers the entire cost. In this case, the City will cover less than one-third of the cost. The City will receive a $418.8-million asset in return for a $130-million investment.
Myth: If we don’t proceed with Lansdowne 2.0, we could invest the money in other priorities.
Fact: If Lansdowne 2.0 doesn’t proceed, the $288.1 million in revenues from the new development will not be generated. Therefore, the money will not be available to the City to invest elsewhere.
Myth: We don’t need to fix Lansdowne. The existing facility is fine.
Fact: The North Side Stands and Event Centre are nearly 60 years old. They are deteriorating and past their functional life span. They also do not meet modern standards for energy efficiency and accessibility.
Myth: There is no cost to wait and do this project later.
Fact: If we don’t invest in improving this City-owned asset, we will lose tenants, events, and significant economic activity. Event organizers are already telling tourism officials that they will not return to Lansdowne until it is renewed. If we wait another decade, when the facilities are 70 years old, the net cost to taxpayers to replace these same facilities will increase from $130 million to between $597 million and $752 million. The cost of doing nothing is greater than the investment in Lansdowne 2.0.
Myth: The revenue projections for Lansdowne 2.0 are unrealistic.
Fact: Revenue projections for Lansdowne are based on conservative estimates that have been rigorously vetted throughout the planning process, including by external experts. The finalized funding plan also includes revenue figures that exceed our earlier estimates, including a significant increase in the sale price for air rights, lower than expected construction costs and a larger contribution to the City’s affordable housing fund.
Myth: Taxpayers are investing in privately owned facilities and financially supporting professional sports teams.
Fact: The people of Ottawa own Lansdowne Park. It’s our responsibility to invest in the maintenance and improvement of City-owned infrastructure, and to ensure its long-term viability.
Myth: There has not been adequate public consultation about Lansdowne 2.0.
Fact: There has been substantial public consultation about the plans for Lansdowne 2.0. Since 2024, the City has organized 18 distinct public engagement sessions, drawing feedback from more than 900 participants and more than 135 public delegations at Committee meetings.
Myth: The arena is only 5,000 seats and will be too small.
Fact: The capacity of the arena will be approximately 7,000 people for concerts and 6,600 for hockey. The size of the arena was determined through consultation with experts in professional and amateur sports and producers of major events, to serve the widest number of events possible. This is the ideal size for a facility of this nature and will lead to the maximum amount of usage by sports and event producers.
Myth: Lansdowne 1.0 was a mistake.
Fact: The redeveloped Lansdowne project has been a success, converting acres of concrete into a major attraction in the city. More than four million people visit Lansdowne every year. Officials from other cities have toured Lansdowne to learn how to do a similar project in their own communities. Now it’s time to finish what Lansdowne 1.0 started by renewing the infrastructure not addressed in the original project.