Ottawa Senators Advance New Arena Plans

Land Secured for Central LeBreton Flats Development

The Ottawa Senators are a significant step closer to realizing their long-held ambition of a new, centrally located arena, announcing a land deal for the LeBreton Flats site.

Major Land Acquisition Finalized

The team has reached an agreement with the National Capital Commission (NCC) to purchase approximately 11 acres of land at LeBreton Flats. This prime location, just west of Parliament Hill, offers a more accessible spot than the Senators’ current home in Kanata, which is roughly 15 miles away.

Shared Vision for a Community Hub

Cyril Leeder, President and CEO of the Senators, expressed optimism about the progress. “There are still many more hurdles to clear and we look forward to working with the NCC and other stakeholders to achieve our shared vision of creating an event centre at LeBreton Flats that can be enjoyed by our Ottawa-Gatineau community,” he stated.

The next phases for the Senators will involve zoning, design, obtaining necessary approvals, and preparing the land for construction through decontamination processes.

LeBreton Flats Poised for Revitalization

NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum highlighted the broader impact of the development. “The promise of a major events centre will provide a lively and convenient attraction for residents and visitors, inject new energy and excitement into the core of the Nation’s Capital and further catalyze the development of LeBreton Flats,” Nussbaum said. The overall project is expected to introduce over 2,000 new housing units alongside retail and hospitality spaces like hotels and restaurants.

A Look Back at Past Efforts

This is not the first attempt by the Senators to develop a project at LeBreton Flats. A prior agreement in 2019 with former owner Eugene Melnyk to redevelop the area ultimately collapsed due to disagreements between Melnyk and his business partner, John Ruddy.

Building a new arena in a city’s core often spurs economic growth. For example, the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, which underwent a major renovation and reopened in 2021, has been credited with revitalizing its surrounding downtown neighborhood, attracting new businesses and residents. Such a transformation is hoped for in Ottawa’s core with this Senators project.