'The door is open' to new Senators arena at LeBreton Flats: NCC
The National Capital Commission is seeking "bold and transformational" ideas for attractions at LeBreton Flats as it launches a new process to redevelop land on the site.
And the director of the LeBreton project says the NCC is open to a possible arena for the Ottawa Senators on the federally-owned land.
“The door is open,” Katie Paris told reporters on Wednesday. “We understand that the Senators owner has been vocal in the media about looking for another location for the arena. If it’s of interest of him or to the Senators, them the door is open.”
“But we also want to make sure that we get going on this project,” she added. “So we are looking for other ideas and we want to make sure that we consider the whole range of ideas before moving forward.”
The NCC has launched a request for expressions of interest for two parcels of the land just west of downtown, which the commission hopes will feature major attractions.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum said in a news release. “We are looking for visionaries and trailblazers who share our passion and excitement for the possibilities of this incredible place.
“We want to draw ideas for attractions that are both bold and transformational.”
The first site is a six-acre parcel of land along Albert Street between City Centre Avenue and Preston Street, east of the Bayview LRT station.
The other smaller site is a 1.2-acre parcel along an inlet of the Ottawa River, which the NCC says offers “an outstanding location for a smaller venue.”
“The major attractions are hoped to be a regional, national and international draw for sports, music and entertainment, arts and culture and/or recreational purposes,” the REI says.
The last time major attractions were planned for LeBreton Flats was when the Ottawa Senators-led bid to redevelop the site won preferred status in 2016.
That bid, which would have included an NHL arena, fell apart after a legal dispute between Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and development partner Trinity Developments. Melnyk has since mused about building a new arena in Kanata, near the Canadian Tire Centre. He has also floated Gatineau as an option.
Paris said she's confident the process to develop major attractions will go more smoothly this time around.
“It’s really different this time,” she said. The NCC has created a master concept plan for LeBreton Flats, starting with public consultation, grounding the major attractions in a larger vision, she said.
And she said the context has changed: the new library is under construction at the east end of the Flats, the NCC’s first land sale is in progress, and it has already developed a new pathway system on the land.
“We really do retain the flexibility over time to implement our vision in phases, as it’s done the world over,” she said.
The sites will become important anchors for the surrounding development, which will eventually become home to 7,500 residents and 4,000 workers.
“What does a major attraction look like? Some people think sports arena, some think concert hall, some think exposition space, and some have other ideas,” the REI says. “We are leaving the canvas blank so creative minds can suggest innovative and financially sound concepts that could capture our interest.”
Any proposal for a major events centre would need to identify a tenant, its use, and its financing sources, Paris said.
“The NCC does not want to be the owner of this building,” she said. “Our role is to offer the opportunity, offer the land, offer our spirit of partnership…to make this vision a reality.”
“If you tell us you want to do a certain type of facility, we would want to see your capacity and your experience and your ability to get that vision done.”
Mayor Jim Watson said he still believes it makes the most sense to have an arena at LeBreton Flats.
“I have faith that hopefully the NHL and the owner of the team will see what a great opportunity it was, and could be," he told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Kristy Cameron.
You can read the entire request for expressions of interest here. The NCC is asking proponents to submit their ideas by the end of February 2022. Evaluation of the proposals will take place in March and April.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
NASA hears from Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, after months of quiet
NASA has finally heard back from Voyager 1 again in a way that makes sense. The most distant spacecraft from Earth hadn't sent home any understandable data since last November.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.