Ottawa Charge (Professional Women’s Hockey League)

[skyscraperaccount]

Originally Posted by phil235

Yep, the lack of transparency is annoying. They seem to think that their cheerleading for the project is effective, but it just makes people mad. Much better to lay out the facts and explain the decision.

I've never seen a list of events above 6500. I'm there lots of times per year for various events, and my experience is that it is mostly the intermittent special events that go above that capacity - Volleyball Nations League, World Juniors, Davis Cup. For concerts and things like the comedy shows, I think the capacity of the current Lansdowne is close to that number anyway, so they may actually gain capacity for the new rink.

One aspect that has not been discussed is the availability of boxes and fan deck type areas. Those are big revenue generators and the current arena has none of those (at least no functional ones). The new arena will have more revenue streams which I assume will be more revenue per fan.

There was this render which show some kind of 'exlusive' area maybe, but yeah, haven't seen 'boxes'.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by phil235

Yep, the lack of transparency is annoying. They seem to think that their cheerleading for the project is effective, but it just makes people mad. Much better to lay out the facts and explain the decision.

I've never seen a list of events above 6500. I'm there lots of times per year for various events, and my experience is that it is mostly the intermittent special events that go above that capacity - Volleyball Nations League, World Juniors, Davis Cup. For concerts and things like the comedy shows, I think the capacity of the current Lansdowne is close to that number anyway, so they may actually gain capacity for the new rink.

One aspect that has not been discussed is the availability of boxes and fan deck type areas. Those are big revenue generators and the current arena has none of those (at least no functional ones). The new arena will have more revenue streams which I assume will be more revenue per fan.

Went to a Charge game a couple weekends ago and sat at the very top. The luxury boxes installed for the Sens we're blocking our view of the screen. Kind of sad to have those there if they aren't being used. I think I heard it's a structural thing; roof can't handle the live load.

Can't really understand how those were accessed. Possibly the cat walks that have been cut down, but then they'd need a hallway all around the box perimeters to access them.

It's clear the place would need a major overhaul (I wish that was done with 1.0), or yes, even replaced.

The choice of taking out event space for retail limited the potential to improve facilities for the teams and the arena public spaces (maybe more washrooms and concessions). It also removed a lot of doors that are deadly missed.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Went to a Charge game a couple weekends ago and sat at the very top. The luxury boxes installed for the Sens we're blocking our view of the screen. Kind of sad to have those there if they aren't being used. I think I heard it's a structural thing; roof can't handle the live load.

Can't really understand how those were accessed. Possibly the cat walks that have been cut down, but then they'd need a hallway all around the box perimeters to access them.

It's clear the place would need a major overhaul (I wish that was done with 1.0), or yes, even replaced.

The choice of taking out event space for retail limited the potential to improve facilities for the teams and the arena public spaces (maybe more washrooms and concessions). It also removed a lot of doors that are deadly missed.

The boxes are accessed from the concourse at the SE and SW corners of the rink. There is an entrance that leads to stairs that lead up to a hallway behind the boxes, and to access the boxes at centre ice you essentially have to walk halfway around the rink. Not ideal.

They have re-opened the press boxes in the past few years, so they did put some additional money into them. My understanding is that it is just a money issue keeping them all from being renovated. The parties spent so much extra money on the unexpected structural repairs during Lansdowne 1.0 that they had to scale back in other areas. When it was just the 67s and Blackjacks, there was no need for all of those boxes, so the return on investment wasn't there. However, for the PWHL there is probably much more of a case.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by phil235

I agree that it is on the City and OSEG, but as you point out, the Charge are just a tenant, so there was never anything stopping them from moving to the CTC or Kanata regardless of what was built. If the Charge's attendance grows as they are projecting, that move is almost an inevitability. Then you would have a had brand new 8000 seat arena that you spent an extra $100 million on with exactly no tenants who use that capacity, which makes a lot less sense.

I also think that you are overestimating the value of a 20-night tenant to the new arena. Yes, they provide a good revenue stream, but in terms of the capital costs of adding 2000 more seats, it comes nowhere near covering the costs. We'll see how things pans out, but I expect the new arena is going to be much busier in terms of hosting other events in that 5000 attendance range, so it is in no way clear that a Charge move would be a net loss for the Lansdowne. TBH, it would probably be better overall for the team and the city (a move to Lebreton, not Kanata).

I do wonder how much the move is about the capacity vs the City and OSEG treating them like garbage. They could have been honest that the capacity wasn't going to increase significantly from the start instead of leading them on that "sure, we'll totally consider your capacity concerns" just to use them to promote the plan.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I do wonder how much the move is about the capacity vs the City and OSEG treating them like garbage. They could have been honest that the capacity wasn't going to increase significantly from the start instead of leading them on that "sure, we'll totally consider your capacity concerns" just to use them to promote the plan.

Possibly, but they are a professional team and at the end of the day this is all about money and where they can generate the most of it. I also think that the Charge's attendance expectations went up dramatically once they saw how well the first season went. Two years ago, when they were projecting 3500 fans a game, the prospect of a 6000 seat arena was probably not that concerning to them. But once they started averaging 7000 fans per game it became a huge issue.

Given that the discussions occurred in private and any public statements are carefully crafted to help their negotiating position, it's pretty hard to know what actually happened. Not saying the City handled it well, but I'm also not ready to villainize them based on the claims of a professional sports league owned by a billionaire in L.A. You will note that they have not at any point said that they were willing to contribute anything to the capital cost of an arena tailored to their specific needs. And I'm guessing the best interests of the city are not exactly top of mind for them.

[skyscraperaccount]

Originally Posted by phil235

Possibly, but they are a professional team and at the end of the day this is all about money and where they can generate the most of it. I also think that the Charge's attendance expectations went up dramatically once they saw how well the first season went. Two years ago, when they were projecting 3500 fans a game, the prospect of a 6000 seat arena was probably not that concerning to them. But once they started averaging 7000 fans per game it became a huge issue.

Given that the discussions occurred in private and any public statements are carefully crafted to help their negotiating position, it's pretty hard to know what actually happened. Not saying the City handled it well, but I'm also not ready to villainize them based on the claims of a professional sports league owned by a billionaire in L.A. You will note that they have not at any point said that they were willing to contribute anything to the capital cost of an arena tailored to their specific needs. And I'm guessing the best interests of the city are not exactly top of mind for them.

Exactly this. Why build to the whims of a foreign owned league/team that has zero skin in the game in Ottawa and will leave at the drop of a hat.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by skyscraperaccount

Exactly this. Why build to the whims of a foreign owned league/team that has zero skin in the game in Ottawa and will leave at the drop of a hat.

Tbf, there wasn't even a commitment for the 67s and RedBlacks to stay long term. For most (all) of the 2.0 discussions, the commitment was only until 2032. At the last minute, Roger Greenberg extended that commitment on the spot at Committee, and still not even for the full partnership horizon.

[skyscraperaccount]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Tbf, there wasn't even a commitment for the 67s and RedBlacks to stay long term. For most (all) of the 2.0 discussions, the commitment was only until 2032. At the last minute, Roger Greenberg extended that commitment on the spot at Committee, and still not even for the full partnership horizon.

Well that tracks, i'm not even on board for 1.0 let alone 2.0.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Tbf, there wasn't even a commitment for the 67s and RedBlacks to stay long term. For most (all) of the 2.0 discussions, the commitment was only until 2032. At the last minute, Roger Greenberg extended that commitment on the spot at Committee, and still not even for the full partnership horizon.

True, but both have strong local roots, a history in the community and no realistic options to move anywhere else. The Charge were one season old and have an obvious alternative venue.

[J.OT13]

Ottawa Charge logo painted on Canadian Tire Centre ice for PWHL playoffs

Josh Pringle, CTV Ottawa
Published: May 04, 2026 at 12:50PM EDT



The Ottawa Senators and the Canadian Tire Centre want the Ottawa Charge to feel at home for the PWHL playoffs.

The Ottawa Charge logo has been painted at centre ice ahead of the Charge playoff games at the Canadian Tire Centre this weekend.

“Ladies and gentlemen, her,” the Ottawa Charge said in a Facebook post showing off the red and white Charge logo on the ice.

The PWHL Playoff logo is also on the ice inside the blue lines.

The Ottawa Charge will be playing their playoff games at Canadian Tire Centre.

The Charge and Boston Fleet are tied at one game apiece heading into Game 3 Friday night at Canadian Tire Centre. Game 4 will be Sunday at the Canadian Tire Centre.

There are still tickets available in the 300 level for Game 3 and Game 4, according to Ticketmaster.ca.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/ot...adian-tire-centre-ice-for-pwhl-playoffs/

[J.OT13]

Detroit getting an expansion team.

https://www.tsn.ca/pwhl/article/report-pwhl-expected-to-announce-detroit-expansion-franchise/

For the love of all that is holy, please give Quebec City a team.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Detroit getting an expansion team.

https://www.tsn.ca/pwhl/article/report-pwhl-expected-to-announce-detroit-expansion-franchise/

For the love of all that is holy, please give Quebec City a team.

Detroit makes sense.

I agree that Quebec would be a great location - little competition in the market, great facility already there. That said, I get the sense that they are behind a bunch of American markets, plus Calgary/Edmonton and possibly Halifax in Canada.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by phil235

Detroit makes sense.

I agree that Quebec would be a great location - little competition in the market, great facility already there. That said, I get the sense that they are behind a bunch of American markets, plus Calgary/Edmonton and possibly Halifax in Canada.

Quebec City built Videotron to attract the NHL, but it's clear that will never happen at this point. It would be amazing if they got the PWHL and would be a natural rivalry with Montreal. It sounds like Mayor Marchand is very much ready to give up on the NHL and try for PWHL instead, which I fully support.

I'd love both Quebec City and Halifax since they don't already have pro teams. I'm a little tired of seeing the same cities get all the major league teams.

Calgary and Edmonton makes sense, but I won't get super excited about it, especially since Ottawa Charge already has Calgary's logo .