The Friends of Lansdowne are still paying legal bills from their fight with the city over the redevelopment. There’s $10,000 left to pay but it looks like someone is offering up a pile of money to cut the balance in half.

It’s quite impressive the Friends were able to raise so much money over the course of the appeals. Last spring the group reported raising close to $300,000. Many local charities probably wish they could raise that much cash so quickly.

Here’s the message the Friends sent to supporters this morning:

Friends,

This message has two parts: some news and one last request for your loyal support.

Several news stories this week have brought Lansdowne back to mind. There was a bit of good news: the City is proceeding with a tender call to develop the urban park portion of the project. There was also an update on the shortlisted names for the CFL team (it doesn’t appear that the Backroom Boys or Ottawa Kickbacks have made the grade). But there was also news of the Mayor’s role in the flawed decision-making process for the casino—a decision that was made without public consultation.

This reminds us of why Friends of Lansdowne went to court—to fight for for a fair, open and transparent process when it comes to municipal decision-making. This fight was important, despite the disappointing outcome, and we are glad we did everything we could.

We do have one loose end to tie up in terms of our legal challenge. As you know, we raised an amazing amount of money to cover the legal fees of our lawyers, Sack Goldblatt Mitchell. In turn, our lawyers wrote off an equal amount of fees that they never expect us to pay.

However, they asked if we could help defray their out-of-pocket costs such as photocopying, courier, etc. With your generous help, we’ve done very well with this and now have only $10,000 to go. To add to the good news, an anonymous generous donor has offered a dollar-for-dollar match to get his final bill cleared up was long as we do it in 2013. This means the rest of us have to raise only $5,000. This is a very attainable target.

So, let’s close this chapter in our struggle over Lansdowne. Please donate:

online at www.letsgetitright.ca
in person at any TD bank to account 3248-5207023 (please let our Treasurer know by email at FoL.Donations@gmail.com)
by mail at Friends of Lansdowne, c/o Ted Lupinski CA, 137 Second Ave, Suite 2, Ottawa ON K1S 2H4
Before ending this message, let’s think for a moment about the future of Friends of Lansdowne. During the fight over Lansdowne, we put together an amazing network of people—great volunteers, a big email list and a good website. We don’t plan to let this disappear. We will continue to inform you of Lansdowne issues and developments, though not at the same pace as in the heyday of our fight.

Thanks for your help and generosity.

Ken Shipley,
Head of the Fundraising Committee for Friends of Lansdowne

January 17, 2013 (Ottawa, ON.): The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) today announced that Bernie Ashe has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr. Ashe will oversee all facets of OSEG’s operations, including sports franchises, entertainment business and Lansdowne Park operations. He’ll also work closely with the City of Ottawa to ensure the Lansdowne Partnership Plan is implemented as approved by City Council, and the new Lansdowne stands as a model of modern-day innovation in an urban form.

“I’m delighted that Bernie has agreed to join OSEG and lead our business operations,” said OSEG Partner, Roger Greenberg. “From the beginning, we planned to hire a CEO with a track-record of success in diverse industries, including Sports and Entertainment, and we’ve certainly found one in Bernie. He also has deep roots in our community and a history of community service, which speaks to his integrity and our core values. Bernie will be a great asset to our organization and our city.”

OSEG has partnered with the City of Ottawa to revitalize and manage Lansdowne Park, which will house a 24,000 seat stadium, 9,800 seat arena, the historic Aberdeen Pavilion and Horticulture Building, the Ottawa Farmer’s Market, a new commercial district, an office tower, two condominium towers, townhomes and an urban park. OSEG will manage the facilities and own and operate a CFL football team, an NASL soccer team and the Ottawa 67’s OHL hockey team.

“I’m thrilled and honoured to be part of such an incredible team of community leaders and to be involved in such an important community project,” said Bernie Ashe. “The New Lansdowne will soon be one of Ottawa’s most inviting, year-round destinations for everyone in our region, and my role is to ensure that it remains vibrant and viable for decades to come.”

Prior to joining OSEG, Mr. Ashe served as CEO of KOTT Group, a privately held company in the supply and installation of lumber and related products in the Homebuilding industry. Before his work with KOTT, he served as President and CEO of AiT, now 3M-AiT Ltd, a TSX-listed company providing solutions for traveler identity and border control. He was also the Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators from 1991 – 1997. A trustee and former Chairman of CHEO, Mr. Ashe also serves on the Board of the Ottawa Convention Centre and has served as a Board member for the Canadian Advanced Technology Association. He was also a member of the Mayor’s Leadership Table on Homelessness and currently resides in Ottawa with his wife Nancy and their three children.

About OSEG

The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group is a partnership of five Ottawa business and community leaders. The partners; Roger Greenberg, John Ruddy, Jeff Hunt, William Shenkman and John Pugh, each own successful business enterprises and are well-known in Ottawa for distinguished community service. In June 2010, Ottawa City Council voted to partner with OSEG and proceed with the revitalization of Lansdowne Park. More information on the Lansdowne Partnership can be found on the City of Ottawa website: www.Ottawa.ca.

The messy dome debacle continues. It might be the last we hear of it for some time as it trudges through arbitration.

Dome Arbitration Dec7 2012

I don’t think the city, Coliseum Inc. or the University of Ottawa thought this dome relocation was going to be so much of a headache.

The firm that was hired to set up the dome, WASA, has been caught in the middle. WASA now finds itself defending its professional opinion on the setup challenges.

WASA Letter on Dome – Nov. 23 2012