An artist's rendering of the proposed trade show and convention centre along Uplands Drive near the Ottawa Airport. (David S. McRobie Architects Inc.)

Environmental groups in Ottawa are challenging the city's plan to build a trade show centre near the Ottawa Airport.

The Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital Region — which represents 15 environmental and community organizations in Ottawa — says the city and the National Capital Commission, or NCC, are trying to rush the $40-million project.

They say the site on Uplands Drive where the trade show centre and hotel are to be built is in the middle of sensitive wetlands and could threaten wildlife.

They argue that the area's wetlands are protected by federal legislation and accuse the NCC and top city officials of treating the site like a developer's playground.

"It's all about development," said Sol Shuster, chair of the coalition. "It's seen by some people at the NCC as business opportunities rather than protecting the greenbelt."

Shuster said the magnitude of the proposed project is "anything but minor."

"In fact, this represents a major policy decision with long-term impacts and consequences across the city."

The site, roughly 27 hectares, is owned by Transport Canada and is leased to the airport authority. It will be subleased to the developer if the project bid is successful.

The development plan calls for the city to partner with the Shenkman Corporation, a private developer.

Location problematic

Coalition cochair Nicole Desroches said she isn't against the construction of a trade show centre but believes it should be built elsewhere.

"The location is problematic," she said. "Not only because of the wetlands, but closer to downtown would provide a more readily available access by public transit and avoids creating a field of parking used only occasionally."

Members of the alliance say the project could endanger wildlife in the area.

Cheryl Doran with the Friends of the Greenspace Alliance, a member of the coalition, said turtles are already being killed on Uplands Road and says she is sickened that more turtles — including snapping turtles and endangered Blanding's turtles that might live in the area — will be wiped out if the wetlands are filled in for parking lots.

"This is anything but greening the capital when you have to wipe out a federal wetlands and the species that live there," she said.

Alliance to fight development

Critics like Doran and Shuster say the project is linked to the timelines for the development at Lansdowne Park.

The city has said it will not tear down the trade show space at Lansdowne until a new venue is in place.

If the wetlands aren't drained and prepared for construction before winter sets in, the project won't be ready in time for the January 2012 deadline.

The city maintains the site is not a designated wetland and no turtles have been found there.

NCC officials were not available for comment but are on record as supporting the development even though there has not been an environmental assessment.

The plan goes to Ottawa's planning and environment committee for consideration on Oct. 4.

The Greenbelt Coalition says it will either go to court or take the issue to the Ontario Municipal Board.