The Ottawa Film Office (OFO) has issued a call for expressions of interest on its newly-announced proposal to build a purpose-built soundstage facility in the nation’s capital.

The planned facility will house three 20,000 square-foot sound stages and total between 60,000 to 80,000 square feet, according to a news release.

The OFO has leased approximately 22 acres of land from the National Capital Commission, located about 20 minutes outside of downtown Ottawa, and its financial structure was approved by the City of Ottawa in 2019.

As part of the announcement, the OFO has issued a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) with consulting agency GBA, seeking feedback on the project and interest from potential partners, including developers and studio operators.

Submissions to the RFEOI can include suggested financing strategies and financial investment expectations, read the release. The deadline to submit is April 5.

Ottawa’s screen sector contributes $120 million to the city’s economy, and completed 40 productions in 2023, according to Ottawa film commissioner Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos in a statement, adding that OFO predicts 2024 will be a record year.

“This purpose-built soundstage will be more than just a space, it has the potential to become a real production hub offering turn-key solutions that will meet the demands of the film, television, animation and streaming industry, right here in Ottawa,” said Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe in a statement.

Jeff Westeinde, partner at THEIA Partners and chair of the OFO’s soundstage subcommittee, added that the facility will provide “a controlled environment for 24-hour uninterrupted creativity amidst seasonal changes” and “unlocks opportunities for workforce capacity and regional development.”

The OFO has long-endeavoured to bring a purpose-built production facility to the region. Back in 2018 the film office proposed a sound stage campus and creative hub that would house four 20,000 square-foot sound stages. The facility the OFO is now seeking feedback on is an entirely new proposal, Playback understands.

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