Members of Ottawa’s disability community say Lansdowne 2.0’s plans for accessibility at the proposed event centre are impressive but say transportation remains a barrier for the redevelopment project.
Plans for the new event centre, which would include a home for the Ottawa 67’s hockey team, promise to make the facility accessible to people with a range of disabilities, including mobility, hearing, vision, and cognitive needs. With assets such as accessible and universal washrooms, assistive listening systems at concession counters, and 3 per cent of seating designated as accessible, the project team says it has committed to going beyond minimum accessibility standards.
Marnie Peters, the accessibility consultant for Lansdowne 2.0, told a meeting of the city’s Accessibility Advisory Committee on Oct. 15 that these plans are “what the disability community expects of [the city]. They expect better than just the minimum code.”
But disability advocate Kris Houde argues that Lansdowne’s location in the Glebe neighbourhood presents a major accessibility barrier.
Houde, a long-time Old Ottawa East resident with more than 20 years of experience working with disabled people, acknowledged the “wonderful enhancements” the event center promises but argued that the location itself poses a critical challenge.
“Transit issues have not been resolved,” she said. “There is no discussion from this group about sourcing other locations that might be more feasible for a world-class, renowned space to attract different international tournaments.”
Lansdowne’s lack of access to Ottawa’s LRT system means people with disabilities have limited options for transportation to the venue. While buses and Para Transpo services are available, these options have an uneven track record. Para Transpo, in particular, has been criticized for lateness, inconsistent availability, and difficulty handling large crowds, making it an impractical option for major events.
Jerry Fiori, representing the Ottawa Disability Coalition, echoed this concern.
“This particular place is an awful place for transit,” he told the meeting. “It’s not near enough to a transit station. Billings Bridge is the closest. Trying to get there on a scooter, on a wheelchair, or even a power wheelchair, it’s inaccessible. This would put a tremendous amount of pressure on Para Transpo, who do not have the capacity to carry enough people that need that to a huge event.”
City Council approved the zoning by-law and official plan amendments for Lansdowne 2.0 in November 2023, but the decision was appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal. The next stage of the project is the site application for the north side stands, though a building permit for the new event centre and north side stands can’t be issued until the appeal process is concluded.
