After the purchase of the Ottawa Senators is completed in 2023, majority owner Michael Andlauer will deal with another important dossier next year: that of the club's future home.
As the Ottawa Sun newspaper recalled Tuesday, the option to abandon the Canadian Tire Center in favor of a new arena on LeBreton Flats remains on the table. However, the Ottawa franchise must come to an agreement with the National Capital Commission (CNN) if it wants to establish itself there: the Senators were given a one-year deadline in September. According to the same source, other groups have contacted them to offer them options.
The team won a tender to develop this area of the city center in June 2022 and several meetings have recently taken place with CNN. Apparently, the affected parties are negotiating the components of the project and nothing is decided.
“We had a one-year extension, but I don't think anyone is inclined to go to the limit,” admitted Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder, adding that discussions were on the agenda every two weeks. “That was the plan before Michael took over and we kept it that way. These meetings are more meaningful because we know what direction Michael and his partners want to go.”
The “Sens” have been playing their local games in their current arena since January 1996.