January 31, 2025
Dear Sean Moore,
Following the public information sessions on the proposed new north side stands at Lansdowne
Park, I am writing to provide comments on behalf of the Glebe Community Association (GCA).
First of all, it is important to re-iterate that the GCA does not support demolition of the existing
north side stands. This structure has 30-years of life left and we believe it is irresponsible both
environmentally and fiscally to replace this structure at this time. Instead, we recommend
undertaking renovations to improve accessibility. This would achieve the desired goals of the
new north side stands at a much lower cost.
Should the City proceed with Lansdowne 2.0, the GCA considers that the design requires
significant change so that new north side stands enhance Lansdowne Park and meet the future
needs of Ottawa residents.
To create a stadium of which Ottawans can be proud, the design of the north side stands needs
to be harmonious with the south side stands in terms of shape, materials and colour. The
stadium should read a single entity and not two disparate structures. The design should also be
designed to be sympathetic to the adjacent new event centre and Aberdeen Pavilion to create a
cohesive design approach to Lansdowne. Finally, the north side stands should be built with
quality materials, as recommended by the City’s Urban Design Review Panel, in order to ensure
longevity.
Given that the City of Ottawa has declared a climate emergency, we are concerned that the City
is no longer striving for a high level of LEED certification for the north side stands. We
recommend that the City aim for the highest level of certification, not the lowest.
Moreover, given the weather extremes brought on by climate change, we believe it is essential
to maintain a roof on the north side stands. This new structure should not diminish the level of
public comfort and weather protection offered by the current facility. Nor do we believe it is
wise to reduce the number of seats given the population growth predicted for Ottawa.
Finally, to keep people safe at Lansdowne, the access to the north side stands should be
reconfigured to eliminate pinch points and pedestrian/vehicle conflicts.
In conclusion, the GCA believes that the current north side stands should be renovated rather
than replaced. If new stands are built, they should be designed to the highest standards in
keeping with the importance of Lansdowne Park and to meet the future needs of Ottawa
residents.
Yours sincerely,
June Creelman
Vice-President, Glebe Community Association