The Ottawa Senators have an announcement that has been planned for a long time. We knew there was a Friday deadline for the National Capital Commission (NCC) and the Ottawa Senators. However, we had recently found out the deadline could have come in the form of an extension. Fortunately, for everyone involved really, but mostly the Ottawa Senators fanbase, is that Friday’s news says that there’s now an agreement in place for a land deal with the NCC.
NCC has agreed to sell the land to the Sens and not lease.
The original negotiation was for 6 acres. They will, in fact, now buy a little over 10 acres.— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) September 20, 2024
The Sens and the NCC Have Agreement
As was reported earlier in the week, this had to do with taking the “next step.” It appears both sides have done just that. The NCC has agreed to sell land in LeBreton Flats, 10 acres in fact, to deal to the Senators organization. This includes some greenspace around the proposed arena location as well. The Sens are determined to make this deal work. Furthermore, wanting to outright buy the land, opposed to lease it, is evidence of that fact. Moreover, there are reports regarding the fact that the Sens won’t need tax payers money. Cyril Leeder explained it as though this is more so typical in Canada. In any sense, it’s nice having a responsible owner, with deep pockets, that can be in control.
So How Did We Get Here?
Just to provide a recap of the history of the situation now. The Sens have been linked to the area for years now. In 2018, this process was underway with, then Sens owner, the late Eugene Melnyk. It was even at the point that a lease agreement appeared to be in place. However, the NCC would eventually nix the deal and the whole ordeal would take a turn for the worse, into a lawsuit.
Needless to say, the plan for a development and deal with the Ottawa Senators in LeBreton Flats has been a long time coming. Now, with owner Michael Andlauer leading the charge, it seems as though it is all but a done deal.
There’s also another perspective, and that’s that it is somewhat a somber tone that the Sens current arena, the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, ON, didn’t work more fluidly. It is a beautiful arena, and the thought was, a chance for people to escape the city, as well as attract more from outside of the direct Ottawa area, to come together along the Trans Canada Highway route in Kanata. In contrast, it has long been the consensus, an arena, more aimed at the city centre is the way to go.
The Ottawa Senators and the City Are In Good Hands Here With the NCC Land Deal
From the talks today, it seems like the deadline had its necessary impact. The Ottawa Senators chief executive officer Cyril Leeder, the Ottawa city mayor Mark Sutcliffe, and NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum were some of the biggest players coming together to get the job done.
This is a big deal for Senator fans and the timing couldn’t be better. With training camp just getting underway, starting it off with some huge news like this feels great. We all know, all to well, the Sens haven’t had much luck over the past few NHL seasons. With Andlauer, and also, one of his guys, general manager Steve Staios at the helm, things appear to be taking a turn in favour of Ottawa. Will that positivity turn into wins in the regular season? Tough to say, but it is definitely one less thing the fans could complain about if things don’t go their way.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers – USA TODAY Sports
