Lansdowne appeal struck down unanimously

The Ontario Court of Appeal unanimously struck down an appeal ofthe legality of the city's planned redevelopment of Lansdowne Park.

Friends of Lansdowne had challenged the sole-sourced partnership between the city and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), but lost the first legal round last summer.

The appeal process began in a Toronto courtroom in late Novemberbut the three-judge panel agreed to dismiss the arguments made by the Friends of Lansdowne group.

The group has 60 days to appeal the ruling but the Supreme Court of Canada can refuse the case based on the unanimous decision.

The City of Ottawa had recently called on the court to make its decision and said it would move ahead with planned work on Lansdowne Park.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said he hoped the Friends of Lansdowne would respect the decision and let the project move forward.

"It is time to renew the vitality and importance of Lansdowne. I mean now... not some distant time in the future," said Watson in aprepared statement.

FoL disappointed with outcome

Friends of Lansdowne president June Creelman said the group was "deeply disappointed" in the outcome but respected the decision of the Court of Appeal.

The group said it would now focus on asking the province to reform the Municipal Act to ensure heritage and environmental approvals are obtained before the city begins construction.

Creelman also said the public should be able to see the final agreement between the city and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group.

"This includes a complex web of financial arrangements that should be made public. The public needs to know what we are getting in return for $400 million of taxpayers dollars and a give-way of public land," said Creelman.