Ottawa Senators Move Forward on New Arena Construction
The Ottawa Senators are one step closer to finalizing the construction of their new arena. The team announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement with the National Capital Commission for the purchase and sale of 11 acres of land in LeBreton Flats, located west of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. This agreement represents a significant step forward for the Senators, who are seeking to move from their current arena in Kanata, Ontario, to a more central location in the region. The financial terms of the agreement were not publicly disclosed. An initial agreement between the Senators and the National Council Commission was reached last September, for a multi-use facility on the site that would include an ice rink.Now, Senators can move forward with zoning, design, approvals, and decontamination of the land in preparation for future construction. The National Council Commission’s CEO, Tobi Nussbaum, added in a statement 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 hurdles to overcome and we look forward to working with the National Council Commission and other stakeholders to achieve our shared vision of creating an event center in LeBreton Flats that can be enjoyed by our Ottawa-Gatineau community,” said Senators President and CEO Cyril Leeder in a statement.
Cyril Leeder
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 excitement into the heart of the nation’s capital, and further catalyze the development of LeBreton Flats,” said Nussbaum.
Tobi Nussbaum
