The Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission say they’ve┬аreached an “agreement in principle” to bring a new NHL arena and┬аmajor events centre to LeBreton Flats.┬а┬а
Senators president Cyril Leeder┬аand NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum made the announcement Friday afternoon at the Canadian Tire Centre.
“This agreement reflects a shared vision to create a new vibrant and sustainable mixed-use community at LeBreton Flats and a premier destination for residents and visitors,” according to a news release that accompanied the announcement.
Both the NCC and Capital Sports and Development Inc. (CDSI), the corporation representing the Senators in the project, “acknowledge that there is still significant work ahead,” according to the statement.
Nussbaum said the NCC had originally envisioned a long-term lease, but through negotiation agreed to sell the land to the Ottawa Senators at fair market value. He said the parcel of land the being transferred is about four hectares in size.┬а
Leeder┬аacknowledged it will take years to get shovels in the ground, but called the┬аagreement┬аthe first step in a “complex┬аprocess.”┬а
Without a financial┬аplan or detailed design plans, the NCC and CSDI┬аsaid they will collaborate on the next steps to establish a more concrete project schedule.┬а
Ongoing┬аefforts to build a new arena on┬аLeBreton Flats got a boost when┬аMichael Andlauer bought the team last year. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe┬аhas also┬аpromoted the project as a way of revitalizing Ottawa’s downtown.
In 2022, Senators-led Capital Sports Development Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with the NCC to work toward bringing an arena to the largely vacant area just west of Ottawa’s downtown core.┬а
The agreement came with┬аbuilt-in deadlines, but┬аthose were┬аextended to allow negotiations to continue.
It’s not clear what portion of the anticipated $1-billion project will be borne by the city and its taxpayers. Other questions, such as how Ottawa’s beleaguered LRT service will serve a new entertainment district, remain to be answered.
A rebuilding Senators franchise is preparing for their upcoming NHL season with hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since 2017.┬а
Residents who have┬аseen┬аplans for a new arena come and go┬аwill likely be wary of this latest development.
Like other Canadian NHL teams including Edmonton and Calgary,┬аthe Senators are hoping a new arena will coincide with success on the ice.
