The accepted proposal from the Ottawa Senators and their group of partners calls for the construction of a National Hockey League (NHL) arena.
It is also proposed to build a major events center at the heart of a mixed-use development, located on rue Albert between rue Preston and City Center Avenue
indicates the NCC by press release.
” This is an important step in the vision we have for LeBreton Flats. »
Although this agreement brings the Senators closer to downtown, there is still a lot of work to do, since the two parties must now agree on the terms of the lease. They have until the fall of 2023 to do so.
This lease agreement will include commercial terms and establish clear objectives with respect to sustainability, affordable housing and benefits to the Algonquin Nation.
Next, the group of partners must work on their concept and an implementation plan in accordance with the memorandum of understanding, as well as obtaining municipal approvals.
We were impressed by the seriousness of their approach
said the first leader of the NCCTobi Nussbaum, at a press conference.
Their proposal is complete. They ticked all the necessary boxes and demonstrated a strong commitment to come up with an understandable and solid proposal.
Tobi Nussbaum also praised the experience of the group of partners who are accompanying the Senators in this project. The firms Sterling Project Development and Populous are behind the construction of the new arena of Golden Knights of Las Vegas, Islanders of New York and the Kraken of Seattle.
Their partners have solid experience in building sports arenas and they understand the culture of entertainment and sports.
he mentioned.
A second attempt for the Senators
After a first failed attempt in 2016, the Ottawa Senators say they are happy to be able to move forward with their project to build an arena in downtown Ottawa.
The club was also the preferred bidder of the NCC to redevelop LeBreton Flats six years ago, but a disagreement between then-owner Eugene Melnik and his business partner derailed the project.
” It’s the worst kept secret in town. The Senators have long sought an opportunity to get closer to the central core of the capital. »
When the NCC put out its RFI for LeBreton Flats, we immediately began discussing it amongst ourselves
said Anthony LeBlanc, president of business operations of the Ottawa Senators. We collectively wondered if that was what we wanted to do and of course the answer was yes.
The Senators and their partners, grouped under the name Capital Sports Development Inc. (CSDI), submitted their proposal on February 28 and learned a few weeks later that they were the preferred bidder for the NCC.
The concept proposed by CSDI for an arena is still in its infancy and will be clarified over the next few months, said Mr. LeBlanc. It is not just an arena, but an event center capable of hosting concerts and cultural events
he said, without saying how much the project is valued at.
Six acres of land
The land to be developed, identified in the proposal for CSDIis located between the O-Train stations bayview and Pimisi, within a five to ten minute walk of either. It is close to downtown Ottawa and Gatineau, Canada’s Parliament Buildings and the Canadian War Museum.
” [C’est] the start of an incredibly challenging and transformative urban development project that will become a major landmark destination in the National Capital Region. »
This land was selected for a possible major facility in the 2021 LeBreton Flats Concept Master Plan following feedback from more than 5,000 people who participated in public consultations during the plan’s creation, the city says. NCC.
With information from Angie Bonenfant and Julien David-Pelletier