NCC board approves site selection process for hospital, conference centre design

The National Capital Commission board approved the federal review of sites for a new Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital at its board meeting Tuesday.

The Ottawa Hospital attracted controversy for trying to secure its preferred site on a research field of the Central Experimental Farm across from its current location without doing much public consultation.

Now, a committee of two NCC board members, architects and a heritage expert will go back to ten possible sites the hospital looked at back in 2008.

The NCC hopes to have a recommendation ready by November or December.

Government Conference Centre, Ottawa River shoreline also discussed

Members of the board also pored over drawings showing how the Government Conference Centre will look when the Senate moves in by September 2018 and approved the building's final design. 

The board also heard about big plans to liven up the Ottawa River shoreline in Gatineau. 

The NCC will consult the public this fall over how to fill in missing sections of pathway, provide better access to the water, create a scenic lookout at Scott Point and develop new sites for public events.

In his wide-ranging update on the NCC's activities, CEO Mark Kristmanson also told the board the NCC's real estate staff have held several talks with RendezVous LeBreton Group about the major land redevelopment, but had few details to add.

Read Kate Porter's updates below from the meeting.