Construction on schedule for future Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, C.O.O., Jon Lucas (centre), provides a tour of the construction progress of its new Ottawa location, to community members including Mayor Mark Sutcliffe (left) and councilor George Darouze (right). Ottawa, On.. Nov. 29, 2023. (Tyler Fleming / CTV News).
Construction is on track for the national capital region's newest major tourism and entertainment destination, the future Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa.
The casino's roof is installed, the multiple connecting structures have been linked, and the hotel is well on its way to be completed. Walking through this development frames the enormous size of the future Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa.
On Wednesday, Hard Rock International Chief Operations Officer Jon Lucas invited community leaders on a tour of the new facility's construction site, which included and up-front look at some of the amenities, such as the concert hall, casino gaming floor, and the location of the many restaurants the site will boast.
The future Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa will be developed on the site of the Rideau Carleton Casino. (Hard Rock/supplied)
"It's not just a casino; it's not just table games and slots. You know, we're a hospitality company and we're about providing entertainment experiences and great service and great food and beverage and night life," says Lucas. "There's going to be lots to do here for the community and for Ottawa in general and we're excited to expand and bring Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa to life."
Once completed, which is expected to be May 2025, the facility will have a 150-room hotel, along with an expanded casino with 1,600 slot machines, 40 live action table games, sportsbook, high-limit gaming and a baccarat room.
The site will offer more than 10 restaurants, bars and lounges, including the iconic Hard Rock Café and Council Oak Steakhouse.
The live theatre venue will have 1,800 seats and include standing room for 2,200.
The future Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa will be developed on the site of the Rideau Carleton Casino. (Hard Rock/supplied)
"You can really start to see the potential now for what this is going to mean for this part of the city," says Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who was on the tour. "If you live in this area of the city, it means jobs and it means a place you can go to visit but I think it's going to bring people from all over the region because there is going to be world class entertainment here. It's a great addition to the city's entertainment tourism and economic activity."
Hard Rock International is one of the most globally recognized companies, with venues in more than 70 countries and 290 locations that include hotels, casinos, shops and live venues.
The $350-million construction project is one of the largest private investment developments currently in Ottawa and is expected to create close to 1,900 direct and indirect construction and ongoing employment opportunities.
"You're going to have so many venues to attract and bring people from everywhere in the city of Ottawa to come here and I'm happy to see the Ottawa money is going to be spent in Ottawa and not going to the other side of the river," says Coun. George Darouze. "For the community, it's welcoming news from employment perspective. We're also happy from a transportation perspective and also the community is going to grow."
The future Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa will be developed on the site of the Rideau Carleton Casino. (Hard Rock/supplied)
Also touring the site, Ottawa Senators president Cyril Leeder. The hockey franchise and Hard Rock are long-time partners.
"They're [Hard Rock] bringing a huge facility here to the Rideau Carleton site and you've seen already at the Canadian Tire Centre the Hard Rock's got a lounge there they've also got a stage," says Leeder. "They're talking about expanding that partnership with us and likely we'll be doing the same thing a lot of our fans and our customers are their customers people that like sports and entertainment."
Once the project is complete, the existing Rideau Carleton Casino and Raceway, which remains open throughout construction, will undergo a renovation as well.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former soldier 'Canadian Dave' taken by the Taliban: sources
David Lavery, a former Canadian Forces soldier who helped approximately 100 people flee Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul, has been 'picked up' by the Taliban this week, according to multiple sources who spoke to CTV National News on the condition of anonymity.
Canada Revenue Agency eliminating nearly 600 term positions by end of 2024
The Canada Revenue Agency will be eliminating approximately 600 temporary and contract employees across the country by mid-December.
Alta. Premier Danielle Smith will be in Washington for Trump inauguration
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will be heading to Washington, D.C., for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration.
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
Montreal road rage caught on video: Suspect charged with assault causing bodily harm
A 47-year-old Terrebonne man has been charged following a case of road rage in broad daylight last summer on the Ile-aux-Tourtes bridge.
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul: How to watch the fight, what time and who's the favourite?
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul had to wait an extra four months for his high-profile match with 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, but fight night has arrived.
Interest in moving to Canada soars amid fears about Donald Trump: immigration lawyer
Fears about the next Donald Trump administration have led to more interest in moving to Canada, including from high-profile individuals, according to an immigration lawyer.
Love story: Nova Scotia couple gets engaged at Taylor Swift’s Toronto show
A Nova Scotia couple fulfilled their wildest dreams Thursday night when they got engaged at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Toronto.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Atlantic
-
Canada Post strike: Maritime provinces working to ensure vital cheques arrive
All three Maritime provinces are working on alternatives to ensure residents receive vital mail, like government cheques, after Canada Post workers hit the picket lines Friday morning.
-
N.S. RCMP seek information after shooting in North Preston
The RCMP in Nova Scotia is seeking information about a shooting in North Preston, N.S.
-
Renowned Nova Scotia artist Tom Forrestall passes away
On Friday, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) reported on Facebook that Tom Forrestall had passed away.
Toronto
-
Toronto man wanted for allegedly selling fake concert and sporting tickets
Peel police are searching for a Toronto man who allegedly sold fake sporting and concert tickets to a victim, which resulted in a loss of over $38,000.
-
FBI releases new image of Canadian former Olympian sought on murder and drug charges
The FBI has released a new image of Ryan James Wedding, the Canadian ex-Olympian allegedly behind a deadly international drug ring.
-
Toronto couple fights over Taylor Swift tickets in divorce settlement
A Toronto couple bought two tickets to one of Taylor Swift's tour stops in the city, but unfortunately their love story didn't last and now they're fighting for who gets the seats.
Montreal
-
Montreal road rage caught on video: Suspect charged with assault causing bodily harm
A 47-year-old Terrebonne man has been charged following a case of road rage in broad daylight last summer on the Ile-aux-Tourtes bridge.
-
Woman, 73, in critical but stable condition after being struck by vehicle in Ile-Bizard–Ste-Genevieve
A 73-year-old woman was sent to hospital Friday after she was struck by a vehicle in the city's l'Île-Bizard–Ste-Geneviève borough.
-
Documentary sparks debate on masculinity and the manosphere
On Monday, Tele-Quebec released the highly anticipated documentary film “Alphas,” a look at the world of online influencers in what is known as the manosphere.
Northern Ontario
-
Police in Canada collected wreckage after object shot down over Lake Huron
Newly released documents show the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collected wreckage after an unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron in February of last year.
-
Teacher charged with sex assault of a minor at a school in northern Ont.
A 72-year-old teacher from Blind River has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault involving two victims under the age of 16.
-
Timmins, Ont., rock band sets new world record Friday
The Timmins rock band Miners and Sons have made history. The group performed a rock concert in the world’s deepest base metal mine below sea level, breaking a Guinness World Record.
Windsor
-
Why these trees have been saved from the sprawling expansion of Highway 3
A memorial stone and oak trees have been protected from excavation along the corridor where the two-lane highway is expanding to four in Kingsville.
-
Windsor-Essex residents react to Canada Post strike
There was no shortage of support for Canada Post workers while passing by strike lines in Windsor and Tecumseh.
-
'All Canadians deserve to feel safe': Anti-hate funding expanded
The federal government has expanded a security program that aims to fight hate crime.
London
-
Police charge London doctor after he sprays MP’s office with ketchup, again
Within hours of charges being dropped in a London court on Tuesday, Loubani attended Fragiskatos’ office once more, and repeated the incident – expressing no concern of being charged.
-
$115k in fines and expenses for Grand Bend property owners' unauthorized beachfront work
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) says that work undertaken without a permit has cost some beach front property owners in Grand Bend a pretty penny.
-
'They're running the neighbourhood': Kerwood couple says their community is overrun by cats
A couple in the Middlesex County village of Kerwood, west of London, says their neighbourhood has so many cats that it’s negatively impacting their quality of life - they say that their township, Adelaide Metcalfe, is allowing the problem to get worse.
Kitchener
-
Former Waterloo, Ont. school principal pleads guilty to luring, sending sexually explicit material
A former elementary school principal in Waterloo, Ont. has pleaded guilty to charges that include luring and transmitting sexually explicit material to someone believed to be under the age of 16.
-
Woman struck by car in Cambridge shares what happened
A woman who was hit by a vehicle in Cambridge, Ont. is speaking out about the scary experience.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries
Canadian Union of Postal Workers said approximately 55,000 workers are striking, claiming little progress has been made in the bargaining process.
Barrie
-
Developer changing Barrie's skyline with high-rises to address housing crisis
Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday afternoon to celebrate the first phase of the Sky Towers development on Grove Street West in Barrie, which will add more than 500 new units to the City’s housing market.
-
Man suffers with signs of hypothermia after water rescue
One person was left with signs of hypothermia after being rescued from Kempenfelt Bay in the early hours of the morning.
-
Mother testifies about son's struggles before his death in Midland murder trial
Chris Forrester’s mother took the witness stand on Friday in the second-degree murder trial of a man accused of killing her son three years ago.
Winnipeg
-
Video shows shotgun pointed at staff during pawn shop robbery
A Winnipeg pawn shop owner is speaking out after a violent robbery at his McPhillips Street location.
-
'A little piece of history': Winnipeg homeowner finds 80-year-old letters hidden in walls
When George Arcioni began renovating his kitchen last summer, he didn’t expect to find a stack of letters hidden in the wall behind his oven.
-
'A special place': Looking back at the history of Canada Life Centre as it marks 20 years
A hectic blur. That is how the opening day of Canada Life Centre—originally MTS Centre—is remembered by many who were involved in bringing the arena to downtown Winnipeg 20 years ago.
Calgary
-
Fifth person charged in Tara Miller's death
Alberta RCMP have charged a fifth person in the death of Calgarian Tara Miller.
-
Preliminary findings of Bearspaw feeder main investigation indicate multiple factors for failure
The city released preliminary findings of an investigation into the failure of the Bearspaw South feeder main late Friday afternoon suggesting that there were a number of factors behind its failure.
-
Alta. Premier Danielle Smith will be in Washington for Trump inauguration
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will be heading to Washington, D.C., for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration.
Edmonton
-
Woman charged in drowning of 5-year-old west of Edmonton
An Edmonton woman was charged in the drowning of a five-year-old girl last month.
-
Wanted man in Fort McMurray should not be approached: RCMP
RCMP are warning Fort McMurray residents about a wanted man in the community.
-
Man wanted in connection with shooting at Edmonton convenience store
Police have released images of a man wanted in connection with the shooting of a convenience store worker in central Edmonton on Thursday.
Regina
-
Palestine flag raising cancellation prompts city hall demonstration in Regina
Despite the cancellation of a planned flag raising, a group of demonstrators gathered at Regina city hall Friday to mark Palestine’s Independence Day.
-
Sask. man facing child pornography charge
A Saskatchewan man is facing a child pornography charge following investigation by the provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit.
-
'It's historic': For the first time, Regina city council will include 2 women of colour
Regina voters in two wards made history Wednesday night, electing two women of colour to serve on council for the first time in the city's history.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatchewan tire recycler suing province for $10M over multiple year contract dispute
A Saskatoon rubber manufacturer is taking the province to court, claiming millions of dollars in damages for breach of a contract as part of a dispute that's lasted more than two years.
-
Sask. boy sentenced in fatal shooting
One of two boys involved in an unintentional fatal shooting of their 12-year-friend sentenced on Friday.
-
No injuries in Saskatoon garage fire
Saskatoon firefighters responded to a garage fire on the 100 block of Avenue U South Thursday night.
Vancouver
-
1 hospitalized after truck crashes through railing at BC Ferries terminal
Emergency crews were called to a BC Ferries terminal in the Gulf Islands early Friday morning after a pickup truck crashed through a railing and plunged into the water.
-
B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to expedite complaint from Jewish teachers' group
A group of teachers says British Columbia's Human Rights Tribunal has agreed to expedite a complaint of antisemitism against their union as more allegations surface.
-
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
Vancouver Island
-
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
-
Insurance bureau estimates $110 million in damages from October storms in B.C.
Intense flooding that hammered British Columbia's coast last month has led to more than $110 million in insured damage claims.
-
Nanaimo nurse suspended for 'unauthorized access of patient records,' college says
A Nanaimo nurse has agreed to a seven-day suspension for accessing patient records without authorization.
Kelowna
-
Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior
British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year.
-
B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids
A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail.
-
B.C. emergency room closed for 3rd time in 9 days
The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.
