Ottawa to go ahead with controversial Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment

Ottawa Council Approves Lansdowne 2.0 Redevelopment

After a tense six-hour debate, Ottawa City Council approved the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment project by a narrow 15-10 vote. This decision marks the culmination of years of discussion about the future of Lansdowne Park.

Details of the Redevelopment Plan

The $419 million project focuses on modernizing the Lansdowne stadium's Event Centre and the north side stands at the city-owned park. Key improvements include:

Structural Concerns and Urgency

While currently sound, Lansdowne’s structure is deteriorating, prompting many councillors to urge timely action. Ward 1 councillor Matthew Luloff emphasized the risks of inaction:

“Doing nothing is not a neutral choice. The roof keeps leaking, the structure keeps aging, and the people under that roof keep paying for the consequences.”

Financial Implications for the City

The redevelopment will result in the city taking on $340.2 million in public debt. This debt will create a long-term taxpayer obligation estimated at $17.4 million per year from 2036 to 2070, irrespective of the project’s financial returns. Ottawa’s financing strategy hinges on a multi-faceted model including future revenues and asset sales to manage the debt.

Author’s summary: Ottawa's City Council has approved the controversial Lansdowne 2.0 project, committing $419 million to upgrades with a long-term financial impact on taxpayers.

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iPolitics iPolitics — 2025-11-08

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