A new plan exists to tear down Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne Park and build an outdoor soccer facility near Scotiabank Place in Kanata, CTV Ottawa has learned.
The proposal would upgrade the Civic Centre and open the rest of Lansdowne to a new vision that includes commercial development. It would also mean the likely loss of a conditional CFL franchise for the national capital.
Councillor Peter Hume said such a plan would allow the city to make a clear offer to Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, who wants a Major League Soccer franchise, Melnyk's group favours the plan, CTV has also learned.
The soccer stadium and entertainment complex would cost about $100 million, with the goal of luring an MLS expansion team.
Ottawa 67's owner Jeff Hunt is leading the bid to bring CFL back to the capital and revitalize Lansdowne Park with plans that include a sports and entertainment stadium, a refurbished arena, an aquarium, exhibition space, shopping and a home for the Farmer's Market.
Melnyk says his plan would help keep Ottawa on the world stage, bolstering the regional economy and attracting tourists to the capital.
But in the midst of a recession, Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien says the plans are expensive and he doesn't think the city can move forward with both, and possibly neither one.
Ottawa city council is expected to make a final decision on a new stadium on April 23. City staff recommended the Lansdowne option over Melnyk's proposal by a narrow margin.
