OTTAWA — Get ready, Ottawa! You’re about to get a brand new casino, one that combines Lady Luck and good ol’ rock ‘n roll.
Following a competitive procurement process, ‘HR Ottawa, L’ has announced it has been selected by Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) to be the service provider for the Ottawa Area Gaming Bundle 1, transitioning the existing structure into Hard Rock Casino Ottawa.
Pending required approvals, Hard Rock International and RCR Investor Inc. (owned by Rideau Carleton Raceway Holdings Limited) plan to potentially invest more than $320 million during a multi-phase construction process to ultimately create a new integrated entertainment destination.
Working in close collaboration with OLG, HR Ottawa, LP will enter a transfer period to allow for a transition of current day-to-day operations, resulting in a seamless evolution of the property. Additionally, HR Ottawa, LP will be a key proponent of responsible gaming, integrating leading educational tools and resources to help guests keep gambling safe and fun, and to provide assistance and referrals for those in need of support.
“We’re thrilled to have been chosen by OLG to create Hard Rock Casino Ottawa,” said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International. “This is a crucial first step towards a larger strategic vision of our world-class brand’s expansion efforts in Ontario and throughout Canada. We are honoured to partner with RCR, a reputable and longstanding member of the Ottawa community, and look forward to working with both the RCR and OLG team members through the transition and beyond.”
Together, Hard Rock International and RCR will transform the existing property with a complete remodel, rebrand and significant expansion. The anticipated first phase of the capital investment project for Hard Rock Casino Ottawa is expected to be completed within the first year of operations, pending required approvals. It will encompass a dramatic renovation, including a redesign of the gaming floors. Additionally, phase one will include updates to the arrival experience, porte cochère, signage, racetrack and grandstand.
Pending required approvals, the subsequent expansion program will bring the addition of a Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, a Hard Rock Cafe & Center Bar, a Rock Shop where fans can purchase the brand’s iconic merchandise, innovative music displays and memorabilia from the brand’s curated collection, as well as more than 13,000 square meters of gaming space with additional slot machines and table games.
