The steel structure is beginning to form at the new event centre at Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park, as construction continues to progress on the new arena in the Glebe. The City of Ottawa’s October update on construction of the 5,850-seat arena says the project reached a new milestone this month. “Just in time for Halloween, the future event centre is beginning to reveal its steel skeleton,” the city said. “At the start of October, a milestone was achieved when work began to install the event centre’s steel structure. Following months of work to build the concrete base and construct the concourse, the event centre’s steel skeleton is now beginning to take shape one beam at a time.” Photos released by the City of Ottawa show steel beams being installed on the southeast side of the new event centre. Staff say the steel installation begins with a vertical beam, followed by a horizontal beam and structural bracing. In September, work continued to pour the concrete base for the concourse of the new facility. “Once a section of concourse was finished, work got underway to fit up the facility with plumbing, mechanical, and electrical components,” the city said. “Excavation continued near the northwest corner of the Event Centre where the future loading dock will be located. Prior to digging, support walls were installed to stabilize the surrounding area before digging. This has allowed for a trench to be excavated that will allow for trucks, ice resurfacing equipment, and other vehicles to access the future event centre from Exhibition Way.” Staff say the installation of the structural steel will be the “primary focus” through this month, with crews “assembling the event centre’s frame around completed sections of the concourse.” “As steel installation progresses, the shape of the future Event Centre will become increasingly visible throughout the fall,” the city said. “Concrete pouring will continue in October to finalize the foundation of the event centre. Crews will be installing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components under sections where concrete work is complete.” The $418.8 million Lansdowne 2.0 project includes the new event centre, a new north side stands at TD Place and two residential towers with 770 units. The new event centre will have 5,850 seats, with capacity of 6,600 for hockey and up to 7,000 people for concerts. Construction on the project began last December. The new arena is scheduled to be completed in 2028.
