Friends of Lansdowne will appeal court ruling

Friends of Lansdowne will appeal an Ontario Superior Court decision that gave the go-ahead to the Lansdowne redevelopment project, CBC News has learned.

Group president June Creelman confirmed late Wednesday afternoon that the group will file an official appeal by Aug. 28 tothe Ontario Court of Appeal, prolonging the fight against the current Lansdowne plan.

"We believe we have solid grounds for questioning the decision at a higher court," Creelman told CBC News, "We believe the Superior Court misinterpreted the laws, gave too much latitude to the city," she added.

The City of Ottawa won the case against Friends of Lansdowne July 28, costing taxpayers more than $1.3 million related to two different challenges.

Orleans Coun. Bob Monette revealed his obvious disappointment after CBC News asked him about the decision to appeal.

"The residents of Ottawa are tired of this nonsense. It's delaying the project, it's already delayed it a full year," said Monette.

Monette added he is already upset with delaying professional football's return to Ottawa until 2014 and worries this could lengthen the wait.

"With this delay, who knows if it will delay it even longer. I'm not sure what they plan to achieve from this hearing," he said.

Arelease sent out by Friends of LansdowneWednesday eveningoutlineda beliefthe court was too lenient towards "restrictions set out in provincial law concerning competitive procurement, the use of tax dollars to assist commercial entities and the requirement that it put the public interest first."

Creelman added her group will have a better focus this time around because it can target specific issues rather than the earlier, broader challenges.

This announcement comesjust one day before a special city council meeting on Lansdowne Park.

The Finance and Economic Development Committee meeting Thursday will include an update on new site plans for Lansdowne and the spending plan, which could bothbe approved.