Lansdowne Debate Heats Up

Josh Pringle
Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Supporters and opponents of the Lansdowne Partnership Plan are ramping up their campaigns ahead of this week's vote by Ottawa City Council.

A full-page advertisement in local newspapers featured more than 60 community and sports leaders who are urging City Council to approve the plan to redevelop Lansdowne Park.

Also, a letter committing the Unionized Building and Trades Council's support for the plan was presented to Councillor Bob Monette, with the signatures of 26 locals supporting the initiative. Councillor Monette says the plan would create over 27-hundred jobs during the construction phase, and bring over $133 million in direct and indirect labour income into the economy.

Meantime, the Friends of Lansdowne Park are calling on citizens opposed to the Lansdowne Partnership Plan to gather for a rally Friday at City Hall. The theme is "Lets Get it Right", with the group wanting Council to know they believe there is a better plan for revitalizing Lansdowne Park.

City Council will hear from at least 93 public delegations on Thursday, before voting on the plan on Friday during a special two-day Council meeting.