New CFL commissioner visits Ottawa as part of 100-day ‘listening tour’

Canadian Football League Commissioner Stewart Johnston speaks with CTV Morning Live’s Melissa Lamb on Friday morning.

The new Canadian Football League commissioner calls the plans to renovate TD Place in Ottawa “incredibly exciting,” as the City of Ottawa prepares to issue a tender for construction of a new north-side stands.

Stewart Johnston is in Ottawa for the Redblacks home-opener Friday night against the Montreal Alouettes. The home opener is three days before the city issues a tender to build a new 5,500 seat arena and a new north-side stands at the football stadium.

• Here’s what you need to know about the Redblacks home opener Friday night, including a CF-18 flyby

Appearing on CTV Morning Live Friday morning, Johnston praised the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group for their work with the Redblacks in Ottawa.

“It warms my heart for sure. I think it starts at the ownership level. They have such incredible ownership with Roger (Greenberg) and John (Ruddy) here,” Johnston said.

“They’re doing such a fabulous job. We need Mother Nature to cooperate in this city. A lot of rain last year. They’ve got lots of plans for renovations in that stadium, which are incredibly exciting, and then they’re going to put a great team on the field, put a great product in front of the fans.”

More than 20,000 fans are expected at TD Place for the home opener, the biggest crowd for a Redblacks game in years.

Staff told the finance and corporate services committee on June 3 that the city will issue a tender on Monday, June 16 for the construction of the new arena and north-side stands. The price tag for the project is estimated at $419 million, with a report on the costs of construction to be presented to council later this year.

Johnston is in Ottawa as part of a “100-day listening tour,” where he is meeting with owners, club staff and fans in all markets.

“Hearing what they have to say, hearing what they love about the league, listening for ideas for improvement and making sure they understand how passionate I am to be here,” Johnston said.

Johnston, the longtime Bell Media executive, grew up in Ottawa.

“I couldn’t be more proud; I’m quite humbled. I’ve been a passionate football fan my whole life. I grew up in Ottawa, went to a lot of games down at Lansdowne Park … played football here, have a background in media and a love of sport,” Johnston said.

“I’m six weeks on the job, so it’s still feeling a little surreal, but I couldn’t be more excited. I believe in the product that we have, I believe in what it means to Canada and I’m looking forward to taking this league and seeing where we can go with it.”