Ottawa 'on track' to rejoin CFL by 2014

The CFL is another step closer to returning to the nation's capital.

Commissioner Mark Cohon announced on Wednesday that Ottawa is on track to be added as the ninth team in the league for the 2014 season after a city council vote passed that will see Lansdowne Park redeveloped.

"Today's positive City of Ottawa council vote means a beautiful new stadium and as early as 2014, a proud new franchise that will make its community proud and our league even stronger," Cohon said in a release. "This is a great day for our league and, for all of us who understand its' important place in the culture of Canada, a great day for our country."

The proposal launched by the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, which expects to see construction on the site begin within a week, with the goal of having the stadium ready for football use by 2014.

"Our dream of a Canadian Football League franchise, which has always been the heart of this plan, is becoming a reality and we are absolutely thrilled and humbled," said Roger Greenberg of the OSEG. "Now it's time to accelerate the important work of not only building a landmark destination that inspires and excites our city and region, but a business organization and football team that can and will compete for the Grey Cup."

Ottawa will be eligible to have a representative join the CFL's board of governors and fully participate in the Canadian draft in 2014.