A long-discussed plan to move the NHL's Ottawa Senators downtown from suburban Kanata has skated a step forward as the team reached an agreement with the National Capital Commission to buy land in the capital's LeBreton Flats area.
The NCC, a federal crown corporation that owns large amounts of land in Ottawa, announced late Friday that it has reached an agreement in principle with Capital Sports Development on the 10-acre land deal that would bring a major events complex and arena district to the area 1.5 kilometers west of Parliament.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The two parties announced the deal before a 2022 memorandum of understanding "was set to expire," according to an NHL.com report.
The agreement opens the door to the creation of what the NCC describes as a “sustainable mixed-use community” at the new location with plans for 6,000 new housing units.
French-born Michael Andlauer, who made his fortune in trucking and pharmaceuticals and grew up in Montreal, became the majority owner of the Senators in September 2023. Andlauer bought the hockey team with a group that includes the daughters of former owner Eugene Melnyk.
The Ottawa Senators have played in the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata since 1996. The arena was previously known as The Palladium, Corel Centre and Scotiabank Place.
“Our ultimate desire is to build a world-class, multi-event centre in the heart of Ottawa-Gatineau that can be enjoyed for generations to come,” Cyril Leeder, president and CEO of the Ottawa Senators stated in a press release.