Ottawa Senators 'actively considering' move to LeBreton Flats

The group that operates the Ottawa Senators says it is "actively considering" whether to submit a proposal to the National Capital Commission to build an arena at LeBreton Flats.

The National Capital Commission has launched a request for qualifications to redevelop a 9.3 hectare site just south of the Canadian War Museum and has been actively seeking an anchor tenant. Interested proponents are also being asked to provide an outlook for what they would do with an additional 12.3 hectares to the west of the parcels of land.

Senators Sports & Entertainment said in a statement Tuesday they are reviewing the NCC's request and "actively considering the opportunity."

"We can also confirm that we have been approached by numerous well established private sector companies and community organizations who have expressed a strong desire to partner with us on developing a world-class proposal for the site," the group said.

The group said an NHL arena could serve as an economic driver at the site, but only with "strong community support."

The Senators currently play at the Canadian Tire Centre, in the west-end community of Kanata.

The group said they would be doing their due diligence over the next few weeks.

The National Capital Commission had recently extended its deadline for proposals from Dec. 5 this year to Jan. 7, 2015.

NCC head says possibility 'interesting'

NCC chief executive officer Mark Kristmanson said the news was "interesting."

"I'm very interested and pleased that we are garnering that kind of interest in the LeBreton Flats development, but we'll know after Jan. 7 how many proponents put themselves forward," said Kristmanson.

"It's interesting news. We'll see how things develop," he said.

John Baird, the minister responsible for the NCC, declined to comment on the possible proposal.

"We are determined to have excellence on LeBreton Flats, we have only one opportunity to get it right and the NCC I know is taking all efforts to invite great propositions," Baird said.

Mayor Watson says proximity to transit a selling point

Watson said the possibility is exciting because of its proximity to transit but said any decision would ultimately be between the NCC and the Senators.

"If they decide to go down that route, and I think there's probably a fair amount of support for that, we would have to do what we can to make sure that we are not leaving a significant void in the west end, namely in and around the Stittsville-Kanata West area because that is a big employment generator and a magnet for a lot of activity," Watson said.

Watson also noted he wouldn't support any financial incentives from the city to make the move happen.

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