EBC Inc. to be general contractor for $418.8 million Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment

Ottawa Construction news staff writer

The City of Ottawa has announced that EBC Inc. will be the general contractor for the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment, a massive project with a total budget of $418.8 million.

The decision was revealed in a memo to city council and a news conference on Oct. 20, providing the most detailed financial and construction plans to date for the revitalization of the site.

EBC’s fixed-price bid of $312.8 million was the best value received from a pool of three pre-qualified general contractors, according to Ottawa city documentation. The Montreal-based company has extensive experience with major civil engineering projects, including the expansion of Percival-Molson Stadium in Montreal.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe stated that the project will cost taxpayers less than originally anticipated. “The news today is Lansdowne 2.0 will cost us much less than we thought it would when the plan was approved by city council two years ago,” Sutcliffe said. “The actual construction cost is lower than we forecast, the total project cost is lower than we forecast, and the actual revenues from the air rights are much higher than we forecast.”

The city also announced that Mirabella Development Corporation has been selected as the preferred proponent to purchase the subterranean and air rights for a mixed-use development, with a bid of $65 million.

The overall $418.8 million project budget is slightly below the previously approved $419.1 million. According to a fact sheet released by the city, new revenue sources will cover 69 per cent of the total investment, leaving a net city contribution of $130.7 million. These revenues include the sale of air rights, a portion of property tax uplift from the new towers, municipal accommodation taxes, ticket surcharges, and cashflow from the Lansdowne partnership.

“For every $1 we invest in Lansdowne, we’ll get more than $3 in value,” Sutcliffe said.

The city confirmed the project will not require a property tax increase, as debt repayment of $4.3 million per year fits within existing long-term financial plans.

The project will replace the aging TD Place Arena and north side stands, both originally built in 1967. The new facilities will include a modern 7,000-seat event centre (6,600 for hockey), and new north side stands with a capacity of 12,400. Both structures are designed to be fully accessible and built to LEED Silver standards, with a 36 per cent reduction in energy use.

The redevelopment also includes 770 new residential units for condominium, rental, and hotel uses. The project is expected to generate significant economic benefits, including a $590 million GDP boost over the next decade and the creation of 497 construction jobs annually during the build phase.

Construction will be phased to minimize disruption to ongoing events at Lansdowne Park.

• Phase 1: Event Centre (Late 2025 – 2028)
• Phase 2: North Side Stands (2028 – 2030)
• Phase 3: Residential and Mixed-Use Towers (After 2031)

A dedicated haul road will be established under the Bank Street bridge to reduce the impact of construction traffic on local businesses and surrounding neighbourhoods.

The final report, including construction pricing and funding strategies, will be presented to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee on Oct. 29, with a final vote by Ottawa City Council scheduled for Nov. 7.