LeBreton Flats arena project ‘at the starting line,’ Senators president says

CTV’s Patricia Boal sits down with Ottawa Senators President Cyril Leeder to discuss what’s new at the Canadian Tire Centre, and what’s next for LeBreton Flats.

The president of the Ottawa Senators says there are a “bunch of hurdles still ahead” before construction begins on the new arena at LeBreton Flats, but “everybody’s pushing in the right direction.”

The Senators and the National Capital Commission announced an agreement on Aug. 12 for the NHL club to purchase 11 acres of land at LeBreton Flats for a new major events centre and arena district in the area west of downtown Ottawa.

Both the NCC and the Senators said the agreement allows the two sides to proceed to the “next steps,” which includes zoning, design and approvals for the site.

Speaking on Newstalk 580 CFRA’s The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll Wednesday morning, Senators President Cyril Leeder said the agreement allows the Senators to “move forward and plan around” the site.

“We’ve got to get the planning done, get the arena design, we’ve got to get it financed, we’ve got to figure out a remediation plan because the site does have some contamination. We’ve got kind of a tight location between the LRT and Albert Street, we’ve got to figure out a construction schedule that works – there are a bunch of hurdles still ahead, but I’m extremely optimistic.”

Leeder has said residents could start to see progress around LeBreton Flats over the next few years.

The 11 acres of land is along Albert Street, between Preston Street and City Centre Avenue.

Leeder told CTV News at Six he hopes to have something for fans to look at in the next three to four months.

“We’re hoping to have made enough progress on our planning to bring forward a master concept plan,” he said. “It’s 11 acres of the full 55 acres at LeBreton Flats, how are we going to use that land? How do we bring that to life and weave in a major events centre, maybe a hotel, maybe a community rink? How do you make those pieces work on that site and do it as quickly as possible?”

The Ottawa Senators will open the 2025-26 season on Oct. 9 in Tampa Bay. The home opener at Canadian Tire Centre is Oct. 13 against the Nashville Predators.