Blab Sports
Ottawa Senators Near Completion of LeBreton Flats Arena Deal After One-Year Milestone
On August 10, 2025, the Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission (NCC) finalized a formal agreement to purchase 11 acres at Le Breton Flats for a new NHL arena. The deal, announced a year ago, marks a pivotal step toward replacing the Canadian Tire Centre.
In a telephone interview with the Ottawa Citizen on October 8, 2026, Senators executive Jim Leeder confirmed the club will pay $37 million for the parcel. Leeder also noted that the Senators hold an option to acquire an additional four acres, though no decision has been made on that extension.
Remediation is a major undertaking. Leeder explained that 514,000 cubic metres of contaminated soil must be removed, roughly equivalent to 34,000 dump‑truck trips. The cleanup is a prerequisite for construction, and the club expects the remediation phase to last several months.
Beyond soil removal, the Senators are coordinating with the City of Ottawa and Indigenous partners to finalize design and infrastructure plans. Leeder said the project will include an event centre, hotel, retail spaces, and residential units. The club has met regularly with the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation, and the parties are working toward an economic partnership that would benefit the Indigenous community.
Design inspiration comes from existing NHL venues. Leeder noted that the Senators have studied UBS Arena in New York and Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, citing efficient player facilities and flexible parking solutions. The club also plans to incorporate a practice rink adjacent to the main arena, a feature that has proven popular in other arenas.
Financing remains in the planning stage. Leeder stated that the Senators will not seek taxpayer money from the City of Ottawa and are exploring public‑private partnership models similar to those used for the Bell Sensplex and Richcraft Sensplex. The club has also maintained contact with federal and provincial governments to determine eligibility for potential contributions.
The Senators are scheduled to remain at the Canadian Tire Centre for at least four, possibly five, seasons while the Le Breton Flats project moves forward. Leeder said that once site work is complete, construction of the event centre itself could take 30 to 36 months, with a total project duration of three to four years from the start of building.
In summary, the Ottawa Senators have secured the land for a new downtown arena and are actively progressing through remediation, design, and partnership negotiations. The club expects to provide more detailed plans in early 2026 and aims to begin construction in the next year, with the Canadian Tire Centre serving as the Senators’ home through the interim.
In a telephone interview with the Ottawa Citizen on October 8, 2026, Senators executive Jim Leeder confirmed the club will pay $37 million for the parcel. Leeder also noted that the Senators hold an option to acquire an additional four acres, though no decision has been made on that extension.
Remediation is a major undertaking. Leeder explained that 514,000 cubic metres of contaminated soil must be removed, roughly equivalent to 34,000 dump‑truck trips. The cleanup is a prerequisite for construction, and the club expects the remediation phase to last several months.
Beyond soil removal, the Senators are coordinating with the City of Ottawa and Indigenous partners to finalize design and infrastructure plans. Leeder said the project will include an event centre, hotel, retail spaces, and residential units. The club has met regularly with the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation, and the parties are working toward an economic partnership that would benefit the Indigenous community.
Design inspiration comes from existing NHL venues. Leeder noted that the Senators have studied UBS Arena in New York and Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, citing efficient player facilities and flexible parking solutions. The club also plans to incorporate a practice rink adjacent to the main arena, a feature that has proven popular in other arenas.
Financing remains in the planning stage. Leeder stated that the Senators will not seek taxpayer money from the City of Ottawa and are exploring public‑private partnership models similar to those used for the Bell Sensplex and Richcraft Sensplex. The club has also maintained contact with federal and provincial governments to determine eligibility for potential contributions.
The Senators are scheduled to remain at the Canadian Tire Centre for at least four, possibly five, seasons while the Le Breton Flats project moves forward. Leeder said that once site work is complete, construction of the event centre itself could take 30 to 36 months, with a total project duration of three to four years from the start of building.
In summary, the Ottawa Senators have secured the land for a new downtown arena and are actively progressing through remediation, design, and partnership negotiations. The club expects to provide more detailed plans in early 2026 and aims to begin construction in the next year, with the Canadian Tire Centre serving as the Senators’ home through the interim.
