The closure and redevelopment of Westgate Mall represents a transformative shift for the neighbourhood, affecting the daily lives of many residents. The mall, located in River Ward 16 and represented by city councillor Riley Brockington, closed permanently on October 31, 2025, ending 70 years of service to Carlington and West End residents.[1] The coming redevelopment will mark a new chapter for the community.

In 2017, the city of Ottawa approved RiCan Management's plan to redevelop Westgate Mall into high-rise residential towers.[2] The company first announced its intentions in 2015.[3] RioCan began the first phase in 2019 by removing Monkey Joe’s Restaurant to make way for a mixed-use tower.[4] Planners continue to revise the project, but Shoppers Drug Mart will remain: a welcome, familiar site for many.[5]

Based on the latest city updates, neighbours can look forward to a new grocery store just north of Shoppers Drug Mart. While the exact timeline is unknown, the ongoing phase also plans for two 36-storey towers north of the existing tower. Site plans and artist renderings depict a mixed-use area featuring parking and landscaping.[6]

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa in late October 2025, the Carlington Community Association noted that community members are anticipating the changes:

Residents are enthusiastic about the addition of a new and local grocery store in our community. Many residents have fond memories of the former retail and entertainment spaces that have occupied Westgate, including Steinberg’s grocery, Bi-way, fabric shops, dance academies, cinemas and various restaurants.[7]

Despite this excitement, not everyone shared the same view. Division within the community was evident as early as 2017, during a public meeting at which RioCan Management received the support of city councillors for redevelopment.[8] At that event, delegates, residents, and concerned neighbours spoke up.

During those discussions, delegate Ruth Parent raised concerns for local seniors—who formed the majority of the mall's patrons and had routines connected to Westgate—challenging Councillor Jeff Leiper’s claim that the project would have minimal neighbourhood impact. She called for preserving Westgate through heritage designation, citing its role as Ottawa’s first and oldest mall. Though such proposals were unsuccessful, Councillor Brockington encouraged developers to retain the mall’s name or preserve local history in the redevelopment project.[9]

Westgate’s uncertain future raises a central concern: that redevelopment jeopardizes vital spaces for community connection, with lasting impacts on collective identity. Yet, the strong sense of communal affection and shared history nurtured at Westgate underscores the importance of such places, suggesting Westgate’s legacy persists beyond its closure.

Westgate exemplifies modern Canadian architecture and postwar suburban planning, directly mirroring Ottawa’s mid-century expansion and broader societal shifts. Its dual function as a third place and social infrastructure highlights the essential role these spaces play in community formation and social cohesion.

Westgate was more than a mall; it shaped lives and created memories that defined the community. Its loss not only alters the cityscape but also fractures community bonds, underscoring how redevelopment can disrupt collective identity and daily interactions.

Other third places—sites of socialization and community—can still support us. Public libraries, school campuses, recreation centres, and places of worship offer accessible gathering spots. Still, Westgate’s community deserves more. Marginalized folks who depend on these spaces now must seek support elsewhere.

To protect community spaces, we must visit them regularly, join local advocacy groups, and share news about them. Speak with neighbours about why these spaces matter. Invite friends and family, and attend public meetings where decisions are being made. Our consistent involvement, advocacy, and outreach can sustain these vital places.

We’ll miss you, Westgate. As we move forward, your example reminds us to protect the spaces that form the backbone of community life. Even as things change, we will continue to remember and cherish the role you played in our lives. Your legacy inspires us to build strong communities wherever we go.