One of the biggest sectors of the global economy to be affected by Covid-19 was commercial construction. It seemed like no new projects were proposed during the pandemic, and many existing building plans were put on hold.
That is exactly what happened to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa, Canada. The pandemic put any thoughts of breaking ground on the casino on hold.
June 6, however, was the ground-breaking ceremony after years of waiting. Officials put the signature guitar-handled shovels in the ground to commemorate the occasion.
“We are excited to be one step closer to bringing our iconic brand and rich music history to the people of Ottawa and the surrounding region,” said Jon Lucas, chief operating officer at Hard Rock International. “I wish to thank the provincial and municipal elected officials who helped us get here today. We are especially grateful to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) who have been incredibly supportive in helping make this possible. We appreciate our partnership with them.”
The new casino will be on the site of the existing Rideau Carleton. It will feature a 150-room Hard Rock Hotel, including 22 suites, an expanded Hard Rock Casino with 1,500 slot machines, 40 live-action table games, a Hard Rock Sportsbook, high-limit gaming and a baccarat room.
There will also be an 1,800-seat Hard Rock Live theater with standing room for 2,200 guests, as well as more than 10 restaurants, bars, and lounges, including the award-winning and iconic Hard Rock Cafe and Council Oak Steakhouse. Retail outlets are also planned for the site.
The estimated cost is $350 million and a completion date of Spring 2025 has been set.
“It’s finally happening,” said Helen MacMillan, General Manager of Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock. “After experiencing delays due to the pandemic, we are extremely excited to be making concrete progress on our plans to bring this amazing facility to life for our guests and team members, and for Ottawa’s residents and visitors.
