Ottawa’s Falcon Ridge Village LP has submitted a bid to build Canada Soccer’s National Training Centre south of the Ottawa International Airport. It could be one of a number of bids being put forward that would see the centre built in Ottawa. The training centre could include outdoor and indoor facilities, a stadium, “high-performance and […]
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Ottawa’s Falcon Ridge Village LP has submitted a bid to build Canada Soccer’s National Training Centre south of the Ottawa International Airport. It could be one of a number of bids being put forward that would see the centre built in Ottawa.
The training centre could include outdoor and indoor facilities, a stadium, “high-performance and sports medicine facilities, educational and administrative space and opportunities for future expansion and commercialization,” Canada Soccer said in a release about the project in June.
The facility is anticipated to represent an investment of $250-$300 million and “will be financed through a collaborative funding model that may include FIFA World Cup legacy funding, government investment, philanthropy, corporate partnerships and contributions from the selected host community and development partners,” according to Canada Soccer.
In an email to OBJ, David Renfroe, president of Renfroe Land Management who is leading the Falcon Ridge bid, said the plan would be to build the centre as part of Falcon Ridge Village, a 333-acre parcel of land earmarked for mixed-use development just west of the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Ottawa and 200 metres south of the Bowesville LRT station.
He also said he hopes to form a public-private partnership with the City of Ottawa, the Ottawa Rapid FC — of which he is a founding owner — and Atlético Ottawa to bring the training centre project to life.
Other details of the proposal, including information on finances and ownership, were not shared.
In his email, Renfroe said Falcon Ridge Village would be a prime location for the training centre because of its connections to different modes of transportation.
“Pedestrian multi-use pathways, road infrastructure, light-rail transit and the Ottawa International Airport are existing transportation options to support the NTC. The proposed location for the NTC is currently zoned Recreation Subzone 3, which permits recreation, athletic facility, sports arena and community centre as-of-right.”
Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $1-billion investment in sports infrastructure with a focus on soccer in the days following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup, which Canada hosted alongside the United States and Mexico.
Part of the federal government’s investment includes $9.8 million toward building the National Training Centre, which Canada Soccer describes as “a year-round hub for Canada Soccer's National Teams, player development, coach and referee education, sports science, innovation, and community programming, and the first purpose-built national home for soccer in Canada.”
In June, the national sport organization launched a formal request for proposal for the facility, following a request for information that was conducted in late 2025 and early 2026. The City of Vaughan and City of Surrey were among 18 entities that submitted a bid to build and host the facility during the RFI process.
When contacted by OBJ, Jamie Hurst, program manager of economic development at the City of Ottawa, said in a statement that the training centre “has the potential to create significant opportunities for Ottawa residents, businesses, the tourism sector, and the local soccer community.”
Hurst added that the city is aware that “there are multiple proposals being advanced to bring the National Training Centre to Ottawa.”
Renfroe said Falcon Ridge Village’s proposal differs from other bids.
“The Falcon Ridge Village ownership group brings deep real estate development expertise and direct ties to professional soccer in Ottawa, creating strong conditions for a PPP model. Ottawa-Gatineau is one of Canada’s strongest and most vibrant soccer ecosystems, offering an existing and complete player pathway. This ecosystem is anchored by professional clubs including Atlético Ottawa and Ottawa Rapid FC, alongside a dense network of youth and post-secondary programs, including the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and the (Carleton University) Ravens. This ecosystem provides immediate partnership opportunities for high-performance academies and player development,” he wrote.
Canada Soccer will evaluate submissions based on a range of factors including “transportation accessibility, player development ecosystem, community and institutional support, opportunities for future expansion and innovation, financial viability, accessibility and inclusion, environmental sustainability, and alignment with the organization’s long-term strategic objectives.”
A preferred bid will be announced this fall.
