Crews have started site preparation and early works for a $419-million renovation and redevelopment project that will take place at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa over the next several years.
Fencing and hoarding have been installed around the Great Lawn, adjacent to the east endzone of TD Place, and along the temporary haul road behind the south side stands. The measure will separate construction zones from public areas to improve safety and minimize disruption.
Site trailers have been set up, and more than 120 trees have been removed. After the project is completed, the trees will be replaced and more added. Protective measures have been put in place to protect remaining trees.
A massive $2-million steel sculpture known as Moving Surfaces has been taken down and moved to storage, and initial demolition of specific sections of the north/south stands has begun.
The revitalized Lansdowne will include a new event centre, modern north side stands and renewed public spaces.
The project will roll out in three distinct phases, with construction on the event centre beginning soon and continuing until fall 2028. Work on the north side stands will begin in late 2028 and continue until late 2030, and construction on a mixed-use development and retail spaces will start in 2031 and be completed by the end of 2034.
Construction is being done by EBC Inc. of Quebec.
According to the city, the event centre will replace the aging TD Place Arena, formerly known as the Civic Centre, and create a more attractive venue for concerts, community events and professional sports. Core priorities for the new centre include full accessibility and gender-inclusive facilities.
The centre will feature a striking exterior and improved energy efficiency. It is also being designed to specifically address the needs of professional women’s sports, including the Ottawa Charge, with customized dressing rooms and training spaces.
The centre will accommodate up to 7,000 people for concerts and 6,600 for hockey. The total capacity includes 5,850 seats combined with modern viewing areas where fans can gather to watch while standing.
The size of the event centre was strategically planned for the Ottawa market and is based on consultation with event organizers, tourism officials and others. The venue is positioned between the National Arts Centre and larger venues like the Canadian Tire Centre and potential new downtown arena.
The north side stands will have upgraded seating for 12,400, bringing the total stadium capacity to more than 23,000. The stands will also have wider concourses, additional washrooms and significantly improved accessibility for fans and visitors. Like the south side stands, the new stands will no longer have a roof, though the city is exploring options to provide some weather protection.
The mixed-use development will feature two privately developed towers, up to 40 storeys in height, with approximately 770 units. There will be 12,700 square metres of green space and 6,280 square metres of public plaza space, including the return of the Great Lawn for festivals and concerts as well as the reintroduction of a berm for play, relaxation, concert viewing and tobogganing.
There will be 4,550 square metres of municipally-owned retail space between the two-storey base of the residential towers as well as pathways, seating areas and outdoor venues.
“These upgrades are designed to replace aging infrastructure, improve accessibility and sustainability, and support tourism, small businesses and local jobs, making Lansdowne a more inclusive and vibrant year-round destination,” the city says in a statement.
Major activities, such as outdoor markets and sports events will continue during construction.
In the early part of this year, construction crews will be focused on excavation and servicing for the future event centre. They’ll be removing topsoil, starting berm excavation and demolishing portions of the existing south and north side stands. Access to TD Place events will continue to be available at all other gates.
Because events will continue, managing construction traffic and minimizing the impacts of vehicles coming and going will be a major part of the project scope.
Construction traffic will be actively monitored and managed and flag persons will be in place to direct traffic where required. An onsite project team will oversee work and respond to community feedback.
Construction traffic involved in the project will follow a dedicated route along Bank Street when entering and exiting Lansdowne.
The project is being undertaken because the public facilities are nearing the end of their useful life and no longer meet today’s standards. The nearly 60-year-old event centre and north side stands require extensive and costly maintenance to remain operational, with costs only increasing as more time passes.
In November, the city approved a strategic redevelopment and construction plan called Lansdowne 2.0 aimed at modernizing the aging facilities, improving public spaces, adding more homes and businesses and ensuring Lansdowne continues to serve as a year-round destination.
