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Lansdowne Catchup

Published on February 17, 2012 10:01 AM by dbo.

cfldb reported on the unveiling of the Lansdowne Plan last week. Now here is a catch-up of the news surrounding the announcement.

• Budget estimates on the size of loan needed increased $7.6 million because of realized revenue shortfalls and cost increases.
• A small fire under the remaining Frank Clair Stadium stands at Lansdowne Park that caused an evacuation of the Civc Centre arena, which is located underneath the stands structure, is considered suspicious.
• Ottawa’s official lease market is affecting plans for office space at Lansdowne.
• Ottawa’s legal department was over budget, largely due to defending the Friends of Lansdowne litigation.
• Ottawa’s city manager defends the fairness of the Lansdowne bid process.
• Co-operation needed to create right mix of Lansdowne retail.
• “Great porch” ideas for the hard-surface Lansdowne area could include beer garden and and community centre events like exercise classes and bike kitchens.
• Transportation committee indicates Lansdowne events will rely on buses. There certainly wasn’t enough on-site parking for all football game patrons in the past, so having shuttles from parking locations could be appreciated over trying to find a parking spot and then walking.
• Some believe citizens will refuse to the use buses to go to Lansdowne. The fact checker missed the CFL average attendance, which is 28,000, not 18,000. If the stadium is not consistently at 90% capacity or higher, this franchise will not survive. There is no opportunity for years with 18,000 average if the team is not doing well. Support your team through thick and thin or you won’t have it anymore.
• Mayor Watson admits Lansdowne will face some parking challenges. What better time than with a totally new experience to set the parameters and expectations. This park will not provide a get-in, get-out mentality. Going to an event will be more relaxing if people use the transportation facilities provided (and probably take about the same amount of time as fighting for close parking yourself).
• Ottawa finance and economic development committee approved the Lansdowne plan and increased borrowing.

This article is categorized under Stadiums and tagged with lansdowne-park and ottawa.

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