Canadian Football League commissioner Mark Cohon's message to the city of Ottawa is clear: the time is right for football to return to the nation's capital.
Speaking to the media prior to appearing before Ottawa City council Thursday to answer questions about the CFL's commitment to the city, Cohon expressed the importance of delivering that message properly.
"There's been some misinformation by some council members and I want to be clear that the league is stable and the league is growing,'' Cohon said. "(I want to) make it clear that this is a league that's strong and should be back in the nation's capital."
Ottawa won't get another kick at bringing back the CFL if council decides to vote 'No' to the Lansdowne Live proposal, a $250-million redevelopment plan to revamp the old Lansdowne Park area with retail shops, a parking garage and renovations to Frank Clair Stadium and the Civic Centre arena.
Council is also to consider a proposal for a public investment of more than $100 million.
"It really is in the council's hands,'' said Cohon. ''This is beyond football, this is about the city and I think this is a great opportunity for Ottawa."
A group of four prominent and reputable Ottawa businessmen - Ottawa 67s owner Jeff Hunt and Ottawa developers Roger Greenberg, John Ruddy and Bill Shenkman - have been granted a conditional expansion franchise by the league as long as it secures a deal with the city for a new stadium.
"You need the right local owners, and I think that's what we have here with these four gentlemen,'' said Cohon. ''And that, coupled with the new stadium, is a recipe for success."
One of the keys in the Lansdowne Live proposal is the promise of the 2014 Grey Cup being held there.
Council will decide on Friday if the Lansdowne Live project will become a reality.
Council is expected to begin deliberating on Friday, but a decision may not come down until early next week.