New Arena in Downtown Ottawa: Senators Secure Deal for State-of-the-Art Facility
The NHL’s Ottawa Senators have officially secured a deal to build a new state-of-the-art arena in downtown Ottawa, marking a significant milestone in the team’s long-standing efforts to relocate from their current home in the outskirts of the city.
The agreement, announced at a joint news conference by the Senators and the National Capital Commission, will see the team purchase a 10-acre plot at the downtown LeBreton Flats site for the development of a multipurpose facility that includes an arena. This deal comes after the team entered a memorandum of understanding with the NCC, setting a deadline for the agreement to be reached by Friday.
Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder expressed his excitement about the agreement, highlighting that the team had overcome some key obstacles in the negotiation process. One significant victory for the Senators was the ability to purchase the land outright rather than lease it, as well as securing more acreage than originally offered by the NCC.
While the exact financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed, Leeder emphasized that this milestone represents just the beginning of a long journey towards the construction of the new facility. He noted that there are still many steps to be taken, including the design and pricing of the arena, before any construction can commence.
Leeder acknowledged that the process of building the new arena is a long-term endeavor, with several years likely to pass before the project is completed. However, he underscored the importance of this move for the team, as it would allow the Senators to establish a more central and accessible location within the city, addressing longstanding challenges such as attracting walk-up crowds.
The Senators have been eyeing a move from their current home at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata to a more central location for several years. The 15-mile distance between downtown Ottawa and the Kanata facility, often plagued by traffic congestion, has been a significant barrier to engaging local fans and maximizing attendance at games.
Leeder pointed out that the trend in sports facility development is shifting towards downtown locations, making it essential for the Senators to make this move to stay competitive and connected with their fan base. He noted that when the team first established its home in Kanata 30 years ago, the downtown area was not the preferred location for such venues.
This new agreement marks a fresh start for the Senators, following the collapse of a previous deal to redevelop LeBreton Flats and build an arena under former owner Eugene Melnyk in 2019. The fallout between Melnyk and business partner John Ruddy led to the dissolution of that agreement, leaving the team in limbo until the recent acquisition by new owner Michael Andlauer last year.
The construction of a new state-of-the-art arena in downtown Ottawa represents a significant milestone for the Senators and their fans. This move not only signifies a fresh start for the team but also promises to revitalize the city’s sports scene and provide a more accessible and engaging experience for hockey enthusiasts in the capital. Stay tuned for further developments as the Senators embark on this exciting new chapter in their history.