No Two Lansdownes. Period

Published 08/12/2025 · Updated 08/12/2025

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“We know that Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has stated he’ll do anything he can to assist the Senators with this project, but he doesn’t want public money involved, and we completely understand that.”

Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Citizen

If Sutcliffe says he’s do anything to help the Ottawa Senators with its proposed new arena, that’s means “anything.” That would include public money if the word “anything” is real. So no public money in any form, Your Worship.

The Senators, on one hand, say they don’t want public money but then the team floats the idea of a public-private partnership … along the lines of Lansdowne.

No second Lansdowne, Period.

No first Lansdowne for that matter.

Lansdowne means the city would pour half a billion dollars into a new arena and stadium (half of which already was built by the city and not included in the half billion) for a pittance in return. That’s not a success.

The new Sens arena must stand the business-viability test. If the Senators want to build an arena, build it. If the Senators don’t have the money to build the arena, go to the banks. That’s what they are for. If the banks won’t finance the arena, then it’s quite likely the arena is not economically viable. The taxpayers of this city are not banks. They are not obligated under any circumstances to buy shiny new toys.

Garrioch, in his article on an agreement between the National Capital Commission and the Senators, says the current Canadian Tire Centre has nothing structurally wrong with it.

Great. Play hockey in it. The CTC was built with private money, is paid for and it works. If the Senators put a good hockey team into the CTC, then the fans will come. Last year’s short playoff run reinforced that well-known fact.

Furthermore, financial side of the NHL is unbelievably rosy. Conventional broadcasters and cable companies know that their last huge source of revenue is sports. Thus the skyrocketing price of broadcasting rights. And more bidders, streaming services, are coming into that mix. As well because of that TV revenue, the value of major sports franchises is increasing rapidly. Sports have huge broadcasting rights on an appreciating asset. No doubt the banks would give the Senators a loan. If not, what’s wrong?

I want to build a new house and I’d like the city to pay for it like at Lansdowne. In return, the city will get my property taxes. Would the city bite on that one? Not a chance.

The city has an illegal hole in its budget. The transit service doesn’t work. The cost of other services is growing quickly. There will be major federal public service layoffs. The economy won’t be any picnic when Trump’s tariffs kick in. Economic uncertainty is paralyzing investment.

The city is about providing services that the private sector cannot do profitably. Those are basic to the community. Those services are not being successfully provided. The last thing this city needs is one Lansdowne. A second one? .No way.

The private people behind Lansdowne and the LeBreton arena have access to the banks just as the public has.

If the banks won’t finance a new outdoor stadium or two arenas, well then maybe they’re not good ideas.

No two Lansdownes. Period.

The city should fix the trains. Fix the buses. Fix the services. Fix its current infrastructure. Provide help for people who need it.

No more shiny toys. Back to basics.