Ottawa Senators Secure Landmark Deal for New Downtown Arena

The Ottawa Senators, a flagship NHL team, have successfully secured an agreement to construct a new arena in the heart of Canada’s capital city. The news broke on Friday, following a joint press conference, where it was confirmed that the Senators and the National Capital Commission (NCC) had reached an accord for the downtown LeBreton Flats site development, including a multipurpose facility and an arena.

Land Purchase Deal: A Significant Step Towards a Dream

The Senators have managed to buy a 10-acre plot at the LeBreton Flats site, a move that defines a major milestone for the organization. The team had previously signed a memorandum of understanding with the NCC to develop the area, with a deal deadline set for that Friday. The financial details of the agreement remain undisclosed.

The Senators have overcome significant obstacles, including the opportunity to buy the land instead of leasing, and a chance to secure more than the initial six acres offered by the NCC.

Embarking on the Next Phase of Development

“This is an excellent start, but we have a significant amount of work ahead of us,” commented Cyril Leeder, the President and CEO of the Senators. He added that the agreement would pave the way for the “heavy lifting” part of the project, which includes designing and pricing the new facility.

“It will be years, not months, before we break ground,” Leeder admitted.

Long-Awaited Move from Outskirts to Downtown

The Senators have been keen to relocate from their current location in the outskirts of Ottawa to a more central location in the city. Since 1996, they have been playing at the Canadian Tire Centre in the western suburb of Kanata. The 15-mile commute from downtown Ottawa to the Kanata facility has been a consistent obstacle in attracting spontaneous spectators to games.

“Downtown locations are becoming the trend for major facilities, including arenas and stadiums,” Leeder said. “That wasn’t the case when we first came here 30 years ago.”

A New Chapter After Past Letdowns

The Senators’ journey to a new arena has not been without its setbacks. A previous redevelopment deal for LeBreton Flats, led by former owner Eugene Melnyk, failed in 2019 due to disagreements with business partner John Ruddy. Following Melnyk’s passing in 2022, his family sold the team to Michael Andlauer in the subsequent year. Now, with this new agreement, the Senators are poised to write a new chapter in their history.