Ottawa Construction News staff writer
OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission (NCC) say they have finalized a deal to purchase about 11 acres at LeBreton Flats for a new major events centre and surrounding district.
The NCC and Capital Sports Development Inc., the corporation representing the Senators, said in a joint statement Monday they “have signed an agreement of purchase and sale for land parcels totalling approximately 11 acres at LeBreton Flats.”
“Both parties can proceed with next steps in the project. These include zoning, design and approvals, as well as decontamination of the land parcels to prepare for construction,” the statement said.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed by the Senators, but The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie reported the price was about $30 million. The 11-acre parcel is larger than widely expected, and the NCC is expected to impose conditions on how the land is developed.
The plan calls for a “major events centre” — a new arena — alongside more than 2,000 housing units, retail and commercial space.
“We are pleased to reach an agreement of purchase and sale with the NCC to take the next step in this process,” said Cyril Leeder, the Senators’ president and chief executive officer. “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.”
NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum said the project will be “a lively and convenient attraction” for residents and visitors and “further catalyze the development of LeBreton Flats,” which has already seen other housing and commercial projects announced.
The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed in 2022 and an agreement in principle reached last September. It comes after a previous arena plan for LeBreton Flats collapsed in 2018 under former owner Eugene Melnyk.
The Senators currently play at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, about 23 kilometres west of Parliament Hill.
