Ottawa Audit Committee Reviews Progress on Lansdowne 2.0 Redevelopment
The City of Ottawa’s Audit Committee received a follow-up report today concerning the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment project. The report,issued by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG),assessed the implementation of recommendations stemming from a 2024 audit focused on the project’s initial phase – Sprint 1.
The OAG has deemed a previous advice, requesting updated financial projections and assumptions for Lansdowne 2.0, to be fully addressed. However, the follow-up report identified three new recommendations aimed at strengthening risk management for the project.
These new recommendations focus on mitigating potential increases in construction costs and ensuring adequate contingency planning,clarifying the project’s contribution to affordable housing with City Council,and establishing a process for annual review and reporting of financial projections to Council.
City staff indicated full agreement with all three new recommendations. To enhance openness and oversight,staff committed to providing Council with semi-annual updates on construction progress,begining in 2026,and continuing annual updates on the financial aspects of the City’s partnership with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group. The delivery of these updates is dependent on Council approval of the full Lansdowne 2.0 report at a special meeting scheduled for November 7th.
This staff report represents the sixth step in the approval process for the Lansdowne 2.0 project,which was initiated by Council’s 2021 decision to replace TD Place Arena and the north side stands. The redevelopment plan encompasses a new, City-owned event centre, reconstruction of the north side stands, a City-owned retail podium, and the construction of two residential towers by a private developer.
Further details about the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment proposal are available on the Engage Ottawa website: https://engage.ottawa.ca/lansdowne-2-0.
