A new interactive seating area is to be built to watch Ottawa Senators home games at the Canadian Tire Centre this season.

The new Molson Canadian Fan Deck at the visitors' end of the Canadian Tire Centre will feature a mix of seats, bar loges and luxury suites.

Senators’ president Cyril Leeder says even though the team is planning to move downtown, it still needs to upgrade the CTC while it's still there.

"We’re still committed to the long term to being downtown, but that's going to take some time, and we need to continue to invest in the building here and do activities and initiatives for our fans, and we think this is a good one."

The new seating area will be finished in time for the team's home opener in October 2016.