The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has expressed disappointment with Ottawa’s proposed plans for the new Lansdowne Park arena, citing concerns about its impact on the financial sustainability of the Ottawa Charge team.
The city’s director of the Lansdowne Park redevelopment project, Sean Moore, revealed that the proposed event centre would have a seating capacity of 5,850, with additional standing room that could increase the total capacity to 6,600. This is a significant reduction from the current arena’s 9,500 seats.
Amy Scheer, the league’s executive vice president of business operations, described the reduced capacity as a setback that could hinder the team’s growth and fan engagement. She emphasized the importance of providing a suitable environment for fans to support the team, expressing skepticism about the financial feasibility of the proposed model.
The Ottawa Charge has been aiming to increase its average attendance, with weekday games drawing in 5,775 fans on average and weekend games attracting 8,348 fans last season. Despite the league’s optimism about growing these numbers, Scheer highlighted that the proposed standing spaces offer little consolation to the PWHL, considering the preferences of their audience, which includes families and mature spectators.
Jayna Hefford, executive vice president of hockey operations at PWHL, echoed the sentiment of disappointment, emphasizing the league’s enthusiasm for the Ottawa market and the support received from local hockey fans.
Scheer emphasized that the league has raised concerns about the arena’s capacity during discussions with the city and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), with the hope of reconsidering the current plans. While expressing a willingness to negotiate, she underscored the league’s commitment to Ottawa and its desire to find a mutually beneficial solution.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe responded to the criticism, suggesting that the PWHL’s concerns could be a negotiating tactic. He highlighted the ongoing discussions between OSEG and the league, expressing optimism about reaching a favorable agreement to support the Ottawa Charge and the PWHL.
Despite the differing perspectives, both the league and city officials are hopeful for a resolution that will benefit the team, fans, and the community. The future of the Ottawa Charge and the proposed arena at Lansdowne Park remains a topic of discussion as stakeholders aim to find a sustainable and accommodating solution for women’s professional hockey in the region.