Building Ottawa's first soundstage campus

In partnership with TriBro Studios, the Ottawa Film Office is building the city’s first soundstage campus and creative hub. This significant economic development project will create upwards of 500 new jobs and invest an additional $40 million in the local economy in the first few years alone.

 

The site for the project is on already developed land located at the National Capital Commission‘s (NCC) former Greenbelt Research Farm, located just southwest of West Hunt Club Road and Woodroffe Avenue. On November 22nd, 2018, the NCC’s Board of Directors approved the amendment to its Greenbelt Master Plan that will allow for the soundstage to be built on the land; the Board subsequently approved our proposal during its in-camera session.

FAQ

Learn more about the soundstage campus and creative hub by reading our frequently asked questions.

Who is involved with the soundstage campus and creative hub?

The soundstage campus and creative hub is a partnership between the Ottawa Film Office and TriBro Studios.

What will the campus include?

The campus will include:

  • Four 20,000-sq. ft. soundstages;
  • 25,000 sq. ft. of carpentry and art department workshops;
  • An integrated backlot using the facades on the building exteriors;
  • 25,000-50,000 sq. ft. of production office space, and;
  • 100,000-200,000 sq. ft. of long-term tenant office space for companies specializing in animation, live action production, post-production, and associated services. The long-term office space building will also act as a creative hub with co-working and meeting space, a café, and other amenities found in similar coworking facilities.

Additionally, a smaller soundstage with green screen will be incorporated in the creative hub to help meet the needs of the local production community.

Where will the campus be located?

The soundstage campus will be located on already developed land at the former Greenbelt Research Farm, 1740 Woodroffe Ave.

Why was that site selected?

After reviewing different pieces of land, this area was identified as the preferred location due to its distance to established animation companies, the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, and Algonquin College. The site is also a quick 20 minute drive from downtown Ottawa. As it’s already developed land, the soundstage campus will not interfere with agriculture or conservation activities in the area.

What is the estimated cost of the soundstage campus?

The estimated cost for the first phase of the soundstage campus is $40 million.

How will the project be funded?

The soundstage campus will be privately funded.

Why was TriBro Studios selected as a partner?

TriBros Studios was identified as a potential partner and property manager by Ontario Creates (formerly the Ontario Media Development Corporation). After several meetings and discussions with TriBro Studios, and based on their track record in Toronto, the Ottawa Film Office decided to further pursue the partnership opportunity to build Eastern Ontario’s first dedicated soundstages.

What are the timelines for the soundstage campus?

The NCC Board of Directors formally approved the terms of the deal at its November 22nd meeting. Further government approvals are required before we anticipate having shovels in the ground in Q3 2019. We expect the soundstage campus and creative hub to be open by Q3 2020.

How many construction jobs will the soundstage campus create?

Based on similar projects, we estimate that the soundstage campus will create 500 FTE jobs during construction.

What is the estimated economic impact of the soundstage campus in Ottawa?

During the first years of operation, production levels are estimated to increase by $25 to $40 million dollars in activity and create an additional 500 FTE jobs for the film, television and animation sector.

A soundstage near the airport!? Won’t noise from planes be an issue?

While the soundstage campus will be located near the airport, it will not be close enough to be impacted by airport operations, nor is it directly under any flight paths. Also, like most purpose-built soundstages, it will be completely soundproofed.