Whether Ottawa builds a soccer stadium in Kanata or renovates the football stadium in the Glebe could be decided by April 22.
Senators Sports and Entertainment is proposing an outdoor stadium adjacent to Scotiabank Place to accommodate a Major League Soccer franchise.
Meanwhile, the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group hopes to put a Canadian Football League Franchise in a redeveloped Lansdowne Park location.
It’s unlikely the city can afford to build both, but each say they will be awarded a franchise as soon as they can confirm that they will have a stadium.
However, for many Ottawa sports fans, a soccer stadium at Lansdowne Park seems to be the preferred option.
“The CFL has tried and failed several times, I’m not sure what would be different this time,” said John Greer, who believes a stadium centrally located in the city, like at Lansdowne Park, makes more sense.
Andrew Major said another sports team out in Kanata is absolutely ridiculous.
“You’re not going to get walk-in tickets,” he said. “They are going to have a hard time if the team is not winning, there is not going to be the support. That’s a problem that’s plagued Ottawa in the past.”
On Feb. 19, a Corporate Research Group report will be released detailing the need for sports and entertainment facilities in Ottawa and on the evaluation of 23 stadium sites in the city.
The report would be tabled at the city’s planning committee on Feb. 24, and will be considered on March 10. Full city council would consider it the next day.
An analysis of both stadium proposals from both a land use and business plan perspective would be presented at a special council meeting on March 25.
After a joint planning and finance committee meeting on April 7 hears public delegations, city council would then likely endorse one of the proposals at the next regular meeting on April 22.
