HOLLYWOOD, FL – Construction has begun on Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. A groundbreaking ceremony, with guests using Hard Rock’s guitar-handled shovels, was held at the Rideau Carleton Casino – the site of the future state-of-the-art facility.
Hard Rock International representatives, elected officials, and business and community leaders shared details of Canada’s first Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which 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
- An 1,800-seat Hard Rock Live theatre with standing room for 2,200 guests
- More than 10 restaurants, bars, and lounges, including the award-winning and iconic Hard Rock Cafe and Council Oak Steakhouse
- Retail outlets that include Rock Shop® and Unity Store
“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 completion of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa is planned for spring 2025. Rideau Carleton Casino will continue to operate until the renovation and rebranding of the property to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa is complete.
“It’s finally happening,” said Helen MacMillan, General Manager of Rideau Carleton Casino. “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.”
The new facility is expected to generate significant tax revenues for the City of Ottawa, the Province of Ontario, and the federal government during construction and once fully operational.
The $350 million construction project is currently one of the largest private investment developments in Ottawa. It is expected to create close to 1,900 direct and indirect construction and ongoing employment opportunities in the City of Ottawa.
“The new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino represents a significant investment in the south end of our city,” said Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa. “It will create new jobs and will build on the existing attraction at Rideau Carleton Casino. I know many residents of the city are looking forward to enjoying this space and it will also be another great addition as a tourist attraction in Ottawa.”
“This is an exciting day for the City of Ottawa and our colleagues at Hard Rock, and a proud day for OLG,” said Duncan Hannay, OLG CEO & President. “The plans we are advancing here and with our other land-based gaming partners, are providing real local benefits and will support the long-term vibrancy and excitement of the casino experience in Ottawa, and across Ontario, for years to come. With it also being National Indigenous History Month in Canada, OLG is committed to building new pathways of understanding, respect, and action with our Indigenous and tribal partners to advance the principles of Truth and Reconciliation. This is an important way that we at OLG continue to ‘Play for Ontario’.”
As part of the ceremony, Rideau Carleton Casino presented a $20,000 donation to Minwaashin Lodge, a local Indigenous women’s shelter.
“Nothing is more important to us than contributing to the economic and social well-being of our community,” said MacMillan. “As we officially kick off our expansion today, we want to make it clear that as our facility grows, so too will our efforts to support local businesses and community organizations.”
Hard Rock International is wholly owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
