Plans for a new Ottawa Senators arena have taken a step forward, as a preliminary agreement has been struck for the LeBreton Flats redevelopment.
The National Capital Commission (NCC) has signed off on an agreement in principal with the Senators-backed RendezVous LeBreton, which is aiming to redevelop LeBreton Flats. There are multiple components to the redevelopment project, including the new arena, along with housing, public space, a French-language public school, and more.
While the approval of a preliminary agreement marks a major development for the project, certain conditions must be met for the eventual sale of public land, and the finalization of a land deal could take until at least the summer of 2019. More from CBC:
A major condition of the agreement is that RendezVous LeBreton will pay full market value for the land. The NCC will subtract the amount it costs to clean up the contaminated soil — expected to be in the tens of millions of dollars — from the final purchase price, though no figures have been agreed to.
“I am thrilled to be one step closer to bringing Ottawa Senators fans a more enjoyable fan experience,” said Senators owner Eugene Melnyk in a news release issued Thursday.
“Though there are still many hurdles to overcome, today we have moved closer to realizing a vision for LeBreton Flats — creating a place of pride for Ottawa residents, the Ottawa Senators hockey team and visitors.”
“This was an important step,” said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson after the meeting. “If we couldn’t agree on the land, the whole project would be stuck in the mud.”
If it does move forward, the redevelopment is expected to unfold over two phases, with the Senators’ new arena included in the first. A new arena would replace the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata as the team’s home.
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