CANADA – The city of Ottawa has revealed plans to redevelop Lansdowne Park at a price of CA$173m.
The rebuilt park will include a new exhibition hall, renovated stadium, public open space and underground parking.
City councillors will question experts hired to consult on the proposal on 17 June. Members of the public will be able to present questions and concerns to the council on 24 and 25 June before a formal decision is made to go ahead on 28 June.
The proposal may still be cancelled after that point by either the city or the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), before construction begins in spring 2011. However, if either side walks away for reasons of convenience, it would have to pay for the costs incurred by the other group as well.
The project will cost the city around $130m to refurbish the stadium and civic centre and completely rebuild the south-side stands. Construction of an attached urban park area is expected to cost $46m, with the city of Ottawa budgeting for $35m and the National Capital Commission, Parks Canada and OSEG expected to pay the remainder.
