Friends of Lansdowne ends court fight

Community group won't appeal Ontario Court of Appeal unanimous decision

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Caption: The Friends of Lansdowne citizens' group, led by June Creelman out front wearing black, decided not to appeal a decision that upheld the Lansdowne Park plan. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)

The Friends of Lansdowne community group has decided not to take the issue of the legality of the Lansdowne Park redevelopment deal to the Supreme Court of Canada.
The group made the announcement official this morning, 45 days after the Ontario Court of Appeal unanimously struck down(external link) their appeal of the original court decision.
Friends of Lansdowne had challenged the sole-sourced partnership between the city and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), but lost the first legal round last summer.
The group had 60 days to appeal the ruling but the Supreme Court of Canada could have still refused the case based on the unanimous decision.
Construction at Lansdowne Park officially started Monday with tree removal at the park's northern edge and it is expected to finish in a couple years.