The National Capital Commission (NCC) is telling developers who might be interested in a portion of LeBreton Flats that the new home of the Ottawa Senators could be operational by the mid-2030s. A request for expressions of interest from developers for the NCC’s “Aqueduct District” at LeBreton Flats was issued on Oct. 30. It is seeking distinctive businesses, cultural organizations, and destination operators to register interest in joining the project, which it describes as a “cultural and entertainment district” that would be home to more than 11,000 people. “With ambitious targets for affordable housing and community amenities, the area is poised to become a model for inclusive, sustainable urban living. Its location offers close proximity to transit, the Capital Pathway, and surrounding cultural destinations,” the NCC says. In a letter to potential developers, NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum touts the future Aqueduct District’s proximity to the future NHL arena. “The district will be connected by rapid transit, surrounded by new homes, workplaces, parks and public spaces, and linked directly to what will become one of the region’s premier event venues with an expected capacity of approximately 16,000 people,” Nussbaum wrote. “The future Major Events Centre will bring thousands of visitors to LeBreton Flats for sporting events, concerts and major celebrations, helping to create the energy and activity that will make the Aqueduct District a year-round destination.” Elsewhere in the document, it says the new arena would be open and operating within the next decade. “The [Aqueduct] district is adjacent to the site of the future Major Events Centre district, the planned home of the Ottawa Senators NHL hockey team that will host major concerts and events with a capacity of approximately 16,000 attendees. The Major Events Centre is on track to be operational in the mid-2030s,” the document says. Senators quiet on plans for arena The Senators have not announced any definitive plans for the future arena, including a timeline or a potential capacity size. The current capacity for Ottawa Senators games at the Canadian Tire Centre is 17,010. In a statement, the Ottawa Senators organization says despite the team not being involved in the NCC’s expression of interest process for the Aqueduct District, it is “encouraged to see continued progress” on work to redevelop LeBreton Flats. “Our vision is to create Ottawa’s next great gathering place – a vibrant, year-round destination that brings people together. The development of the surrounding lands, including new housing, amenities and public spaces, will play an important role in bringing that vision to life and creating a dynamic, connected community at LeBreton Flats,” the team said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. In early October, club owner Michael Andlauer said the LeBreton Flats project is making “some great progress,” but he did not share any specific details. “It’s taken a lot longer than I had anticipated, but we’re really excited about where we’re going,” he said. “It’s been a lot of collaboration, and it’s going to be incredible for the city of Ottawa, but it’s going to take some time, but we’re way further ahead than anybody’s ever been to this development of LeBreton.” In the summer of 2025, the Ottawa Senators announced they had signed an agreement with the National Capital Commission to purchase 11 acres of land at LeBreton Flats to build a new arena. This past August, team president and CEO Cyril Leeder said it would be at least two years before construction begins on the site, with the first phase focused on building underground parking. He estimated building the arena itself could take up to three years. “We’re hopeful in the new year that we’ll be able to do two things: one, have a real schedule and timeline when we get started, and when we finish would take place, and two, have some plans that we can start sharing with people,” Leeder said. Meanwhile, developers interested in the NCC’s Aqueduct District project are asked to register their interest by Dec. 16.
