Ottawa Senators Move Forward on New Arena Construction
The Ottawa Senators are closer to finalizing the construction of their new arena. On Monday, the team announced an agreement with the National Capital Commission for the purchase and sale of 11 acres of land in LeBreton Flats, west of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. This is a crucial step for the Senators, who are looking to move from their current arena in Kanata, Ontario, to a more central location in the region. The financial details of the agreement have not been publicly disclosed. The initial agreement between the Senators and the NCC was reached last September, for a multi-use facility that would include an ice rink.Now, Senators can move forward with zoning, design, approvals, and land remediation, preparing for future construction. NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum added that the development will include more than 2,000 new housing units, along with new commercial and retail spaces such as hotels and restaurants.There are still many obstacles to overcome and we look forward to working with the NCC and other stakeholders to achieve our shared vision of creating an events center in LeBreton Flats that can be enjoyed by our Ottawa-Gatineau community.
Cyril Leeder, President and CEO of the Senators
This is the second time the Senators have tried to start a project in LeBreton Flats. There was a previous agreement in 2019 to redevelop the area under the former Ottawa owner, Eugene Melnyk, but it collapsed during a dispute between Melnyk and his business partner John Ruddy.The promise of a major events center will provide a lively and convenient attraction for residents and visitors, inject new energy and enthusiasm into the heart of the National Capital, and further catalyze the development of LeBreton Flats.
Tobi Nussbaum, CEO of the NCC
