Hard Rock Hotel and Casino [form Rideau Carleton Raceway and Casino] | Completed

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Cartrafficshcarschtraffic... gimme a break. Traffic is extremely light in Ottawa's CBD after 6 pm (even 5:30 some days) and on weekends.

This makes me think of the old "nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowded!"

It is really more about it being too hard to get there and back. If we ever get our light rail system built out enough and in enough directions, this goes away. ?? Not likely ??

But being 'too crowded' actually creates a buzz. Most people love to 'people watch'. That is one of the reasons why the market is popular especially in the warmer months.

[Vixx]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Again... I don't really see the issue.

Nor do I. But I bet, for whatever stupid reason, some would.

[Vixx]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

How does a museum really help Sparks Street? Museums are always closed in the evening.

I never advocated for a museum, not sure what your talking about. I was trying to remember what building Acajack was referring to and I remember some formerly abandoned building in the area that is being turned into some sort of museum or exhibit.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Vixx

I never advocated for a museum, not sure what your talking about. I was trying to remember what building Acajack was referring to and I remember some formerly abandoned building in the area that is being turned into some sort of museum or exhibit.

The former American embassy on Wellington?

At any rate that is not what I had in mind. It was a bank on Sparks.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

It is really more about it being too hard to get there and back. If we ever get our light rail system built out enough and in enough directions, this goes away. ?? Not likely ??

But being 'too crowded' actually creates a buzz. Most people love to 'people watch'. That is one of the reasons why the market is popular especially in the warmer months.

I do not consider access to Ottawa CBD by private vehicle to be problematic at all.

[Vixx]

Originally Posted by Acajack

The former American embassy on Wellington?

At any rate that is not what I had in mind. It was a bank on Sparks.

That's the one, thanks for reminding me.

[McC]

Originally Posted by Acajack

The former American embassy on Wellington?

At any rate that is not what I had in mind. It was a bank on Sparks.

If you mean the gorgeous old Bank of Montreal, it was completely re-done and expanded into a quite attractive federal reception space. Reopened a couple of years ago as the Sir John A Macdonal building.
https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/citepa...onald-eng.html

[OTSkyline]

Friend and I were bored yesterday and went for a drive, ended up going to the Casino Lac Leamy for a bit. While leaving this is the conversation we had:

Me: "I wonder if the new/expanded Hard Rock Casino in Ottawa will be as nice as Lac Leamy once it's done"
Him: "What?? We have a casino in Ottawa?"
Me: "Yeah but its small and ugly... you don't want to go there."

[J.OT13]

In my estimation, more retirees might choose Hard Rock, but everyone else will continue to enjoy Lac Leamy and its far superior location.

Lac-Leamy to lose millions of dollars to Hard Rock Ottawa: report

OBJ
April 27, 2018
Craig Lord

Several of Ottawa’s leading business organizations are throwing their support behind the Hard Rock Ottawa casino, a redevelopment that could see millions of dollars swing back across the river from its Gatineau competitor, according to a recent report.

Local consultants Shore-Tanner and Associates prepared an economic impact study detailing the anticipated revenues, jobs and other benefits that will arise from the $318-million joint venture between Hard Rock and the Rideau Carleton Raceway.

The report included estimates that the redeveloped raceway, which will feature a hotel, 2,500 seat theatre and 20 more gaming tables, could transfer as much as $62 million in revenues from Gatineau’s Casino Lac-Leamy to the Ottawa-based complex.

To put that figure in context, Casino Lac-Leamy’s revenues in 2016-17 totalled $257.4 million, up 5.2 per cent from $244.7 million the previous year

The Shore-Tanner report couches its $62 million estimate slightly, suggesting the exact number comes mostly from hearsay, but says the sheer number of Ottawan visitors to Lac-Leamy annually make certain that Hard Rock Ottawa would recapture “millions.”

The new gaming and entertainment complex would also create a wave of economic benefits. More than 3,500 jobs would be created for the facility’s redevelopment with an additional 500 ongoing jobs to run the casino. More jobs from manufacturing, transportation and supplies related to the project could also be created in Ottawa.

The consultants estimate that total leisure and entertainment spending in Ottawa for 2018 will reach $8.58 billion, a figure expected to increase annually by roughly $400 million over the coming decade. The area’s spending on games of chance in 2018 is projected to be roughly $251.2 million.

Side Plot

The secondary benefits in tourism and related industries have earned the support of some of the city’s business leaders. Shore-Tanner interviewed representatives from the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, Ottawa Tourism, Invest Ottawa, the EY and Shaw centres and the Ottawa International Airport and said Hard Rock Ottawa got a thumb’s up from all.

Invest Ottawa’s Blair Patacairk indicated that the new casino complex would help the regional economic development agency to attract high-tech talent to the city. The organization has leaned on Ottawa’s cultural elements as a selling point for capital relocations in the past.

While it’s no surprise that economic development organizations would support a $318-million redevelopment project, the positive feedback from a lengthy list of the city’s most prominent business associations is a noteworthy endorsement ahead of several key votes at City Hall.

The report is slated to be formally tabled at next Tuesday’s meeting of the city’s finance and economic development committee.

City council previously directed staff to provide an analysis of the potential benefits and impacts of an expanded gaming facility in Ottawa. The city has hired KPMG to conduct its review of the Shore-Tanner report commissioned by Hard Rock and will report back on that analysis at a later date.

Separately, the city’s agriculture and rural affairs committee is slated to review Hard Rock’s rezoning application at its meeting on May 3.

http://obj.ca/index.php/article/lac-...-ottawa-report

[rocketphish]

Lac-Leamy to lose millions of dollars to Hard Rock Ottawa: report

OBJ
April 27, 2018
Craig Lord

Well, isn't that the whole idea?

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

In my estimation, more retirees might choose Hard Rock, but everyone else will continue to enjoy Lac Leamy and its far superior location.



http://obj.ca/index.php/article/lac-...-ottawa-report

Is it that much superior? Connect Rideau-Carleton to the transit network and it will be easier to access than Lac Leamy for most Ottawans by both car or bus.

[J.OT13]

I still don't understand why we would build a spur to the Casino. Why spend millions when a bus route will be more than adequate. And quite honestly, I just don't see people taking transit (having to transfer 3 times) to a casino.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I still don't understand why we would build a spur to the Casino. Why spend millions when a bus route will be more than adequate. And quite honestly, I just don't see people taking transit (having to transfer 3 times) to a casino.

That is a problem. People will tolerate a single transfer if it is conveniently set up without massive waits. Two or three transfers will repel people from using transit.

[YOWflier]

I predict an initial, substantial hit to Lac Leamy due to novelty and curiosity. Retention will be up to Hard Rock and the awesomeness of the facility they make after that.

[daud]

Originally Posted by ac888yow

I predict an initial, substantial hit to Lac Leamy due to novelty and curiosity. Retention will be up to Hard Rock and the awesomeness of the facility they make after that.

To me this place is going to be a bit challenged in creating a vibe like Lac Leamy but their one possible clear advantage will be the entertainment.

Hard Rocks proposal includes a 2500 seat theatre which is larger than the avalon ballroom at Niagara (1500 seats) and the Theatre du Casino (1068 seats).

So, this is where they are going to win. They'll bring in well known artists, something that we don't get as much with Lac Leamy which focuses on Quebec acts.

In the end, each will carve their niche and pull in good revenue. I see Lac leamy remaining popular with youth (because of the nightclub Alea etc) and francophones

[Kitchissippi]

I hope they eventually widen their appeal beyond a casino and adult-oriented entertainment. That area is screaming for an amusement park Something themed around the various animated series produced locally would be awesome. It could really boost Ottawa's reputation of being an animation powerhouse. A Raccoons ride or a "Wild Kratts Adventure", anyone? We could end up with a homegrown Disneyland with hotels here — kids from out of town would be begging to go for vacation and their parents would concede knowing they have the casino after the kids are zonked

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I hope they eventually widen their appeal beyond a casino and adult-oriented entertainment. That area is screaming for an amusement park Something themed around the various animated series produced locally would be awesome. It could really boost Ottawa's reputation of being an animation powerhouse. A Raccoons ride or a "Wild Kratts Adventure", anyone? We could end up with a homegrown Disneyland with hotels here — kids from out of town would be begging to go for vacation and their parents would concede knowing they have the casino after the kids are zonked

There are lots of opportunities for the site. Remember, the old CCEA property is right across the road.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

That is a problem. People will tolerate a single transfer if it is conveniently set up without massive waits. Two or three transfers will repel people from using transit.

Direct Airport-Bayview should be prioritize if ever possible over a HRC-Bayview service.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

That is a problem. People will tolerate a single transfer if it is conveniently set up without massive waits. Two or three transfers will repel people from using transit.

Transfers are only an issue if if there is a long wait time. Bowesville station will be between 3 and 4 minutes from the HRC so even with 10 min train service it would be easy to schedule a single shuttle time itself for perfect transfers from the train (get off the train, hop on the shuttle and it drives away within a minute and likewise the opposite for the return trip).

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by roger1818

Transfers are only an issue if if there is a long wait time. Bowesville station will be between 3 and 4 minutes from the HRC so even with 10 min train service it would be easy to schedule a single shuttle time itself for perfect transfers from the train (get off the train, hop on the shuttle and it drives away within a minute and likewise the opposite for the return trip).

The current shuttle is once an hour. Hopefully that will improve.

Regardless, I am thinking of a person's entire trip, door to door not just to get on the Trillium Line.