The Ottawa Senators are inching closer to a transformative chapter-one that could redefine not just the franchise, but the heart of Canada’s capital city. The long-anticipated move to LeBreton Flats is still in the concept phase, but if all goes according to plan, it won’t just be a new arena. It’ll be a landmark.
That’s the vision laid out by Tobi Nussbaum, CEO of the National Capital Commission (NCC), who spoke with reporters following the public portion of the NCC’s virtual board of directors meeting. According to Nussbaum, the aim is clear: build something iconic. “We want to see something beautiful, something that demonstrates a major events centre as a real landmark for the nation’s capital,” he said.
This isn’t just about hockey. It’s about reshaping a major piece of Ottawa’s urban core.
The Senators are working through early design discussions, and while no final blueprint exists yet, the ambition is shared between the team and the NCC. The arena is expected to anchor a broader district that includes a hotel, restaurants, housing, and other amenities-essentially a full-scale entertainment and residential hub.
The land deal itself is significant. Back in August, the Senators and the NCC announced an agreement for the purchase of 11 acres at LeBreton Flats, a prime location just 10 minutes west of Parliament Hill.
Reports indicate that Senators owner Michael Andlauer and his group have agreed to pay $37 million for the parcel. While the team is buying the land, the NCC still has influence over what gets built, ensuring the development aligns with the broader vision for the area.
As it stands, the Senators will continue to call the Canadian Tire Centre home for the foreseeable future. That building, which recently marked its 30th anniversary, has served the team well-but it’s no secret the franchise has been eyeing a more central, modern facility for years. The expectation is that the team will remain there for at least another five years while plans for LeBreton Flats continue to take shape.
So, when will shovels actually hit the ground? That’s still up in the air.
Nussbaum didn’t offer a timeline for a groundbreaking ceremony, but he emphasized that progress is steady and the two sides are in regular contact. “After the agreement of purchase and sale was completed last summer, talks have continued to help the Senators get to a place where they can move towards shovels in the ground,” he said.
“I would say that the conversations are going very well. There are regular meetings between the teams.”
For Senators fans and the city of Ottawa, this is more than just a real estate deal. It’s the start of something bigger-a chance to build not just a new arena, but a new identity for the team in the heart of the capital.
The vision is there. Now it’s about turning that vision into reality.