The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) expressed disappointment with Ottawa’s proposed plans for the new Lansdowne Park arena, calling it a significant setback that could impact the financial sustainability of the Ottawa Charge team. The city’s director of the Lansdowne Park redevelopment project, Sean Moore, revealed that the new arena would have a seating capacity of 5,850, with additional standing room to accommodate up to 6,600 attendees. This is a reduction from the current 9,500-seat capacity of the existing 58-year-old arena.
Amy Scheer, the league’s executive vice president of business operations, raised concerns about the decreased capacity, stating that it would hinder the team’s ability to thrive and attract fans. She emphasized that the lower capacity would result in a notable loss of fans per game, impacting the team’s financial prospects. Despite the team’s goal of increasing attendance to 6,500 for the upcoming season, Scheer highlighted that standing room-only options may not be suitable for their mature and family-oriented audience.
Jayna Hefford, the PWHL’s executive vice president of hockey operations, echoed the sentiment of disappointment over the situation in Ottawa, emphasizing the league’s positive reception in the market and the strong support from local hockey fans. The league has been in discussions with the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) since June 2024, expressing concerns about the arena’s capacity and urging a reconsideration of the proposed plans.
Scheer emphasized that while the league is exploring all options, their preference is to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with the city to ensure the team’s continued presence in Ottawa. However, she noted that the current arena proposal does not align with the needs of a professional women’s hockey league, and alternative solutions must be considered. The PWHL intends to participate in the upcoming meeting of Ottawa’s finance and corporate services committee to address concerns regarding the Lansdowne 2.0 plan before it goes to the full city council for approval on Nov. 7.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe responded to the PWHL’s criticisms, suggesting that the league’s statements may be a negotiating tactic in ongoing discussions with OSEG regarding a lease extension at Lansdowne Park. He underscored Ottawa’s desire to retain the Charge team and expressed openness to future discussions about potentially expanding the arena if the team’s growth warrants it. Despite differing viewpoints on the arena’s capacity, both parties remain hopeful of reaching a resolution that benefits the team, the league, and the city’s sports community.