Status of Ottawa Stadiums

Ottawa – TD Place at Lansdowne Park

An Even Better Lansdowne

In 2021, the City of Ottawa reviewed their Civic Centre and TD Place north stand assets. While structurally sound, a number of deficiencies were found with the structures, most prominently accessibility and enery efficiency shortcomings. All options were examined, and the city approved the need for the replacement of these assets and requested OSEG develop a plan to replace these structures and further the renewal of the Lansdowne site. OSEG delivered An Even Better Lansdowne which proposes new 11,200 seat north stands with modern amenities and accessibilty, a new 5,500 seat event centre, additional housing and improvements to public areas, keeping the management/maintenance of these city assets born by the OSEG partnership. A vote on the proposal is expected in November 2023.

Key to north stand patrons, the proposed new north stands will bring real, accessible concourses, better concessions, accessible seating and improved washrooms, among other improvements. This will bring the north stands in line with the south stands that opened in 2014.

Original Lansdowne Park and Stadium Revitalization

The Ottawa RedBlacks made their debut in 2014 at TD Place at Lansdowne Park, the new stadium that replaced Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne Park.

Ottawa received a conditional franchise in March, 2008 from the CFL on condition of the group acquiring a lease for an appropriate stadium. The deadline for this condition was then extended six months. The potential ownership group worked on saving Frank Clair Stadium and developing a plan to revitalize the stadium and park. The initial vote before council passed November, 2009, and a vote passed council June 28, 2010 by a 15-9 tally. Initial stadium plans were for a 25,000 seat stadium, but the final design released in 2012 revealed a 22,500 seat modern amenity stadium with suites and boxes bring the total capacity over 24,000.

Plans were for site construction to start by mid-2011 and a team to be fielded for the 2013 season, but community group legal challenges delayed the process. All legal challenges were dismissed and the final council vote was approved Oct. 10, 2012, paving the way for the team to return for the 2014 season. The process, debate and challenges delayed the project substantially, with the scheduled return of the team taking place six years after the conditional franchise was awarded. Construction began in 2012 with plans for the stadium to be complete in time for the start of the 2014 season. CFLdb has written much on the Ottawa situation since the awarding of the franchise.

Seat selection for the 2014 season in the new stadium began in October, 2013. The new stadium will bear a new sponsored name as part of the revitalization.

CFLdb Ottawa Franchises Stadium History and Details

TD Place at Lansdowne Park seating map

Old Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne Park seating chart (prior to 2007 demolition of the old lower south side stands)

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