New "Downtown" Arena location?

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Mille Sabords

Meh... as a fantasy plan it's neat, but it's the same kind of nowhere location as the one it's in now, except closer. No real city around, no way to realistically just get there on foot, nowhere walking distance to go before or after the game or concert... who cares about the geographic centre if it's still more like the moon?

That's why I prefer a location on the other side of Bronson, between the RA Centre and Billing's Bridge, within spitting distance of Bank. Slightly harder to integrate into the O-Train, but much easier to integrate into a more urban context in Old Ottawa South, which is also important.

As lrt's friend points out, the transportation possibilities are pretty interesting there.

[Harley613]

Imagine if the RA Centre was rebuilt in partnership with the Sens and became their training facility adjacent to a new arena!

[acottawa]

It's an intriguing idea, but would basically need $5-10B in new infrastructure/construction pretty much simultaneously.

Lebreton just needs someone to pony up for an arena.

[J.OT13]

When Gatineau rejected Place des Peuples, Brigil said they would look into building the project in Ottawa instead. They've also shown interest in building a new arena for the Sens, but in Gatineau near the casino.

I wonder if they could be a potential partner for a LeBreton Flats arena, and include a couple of landmark towers at the site.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

When Gatineau rejected Place des Peuples, Brigil said they would look into building the project in Ottawa instead. They've also shown interest in building a new arena for the Sens, but in Gatineau near the casino.

I wonder if they could be a potential partner for a LeBreton Flats arena, and include a couple of landmark towers at the site.

Brigil might build mega-towers in Ottawa, and might be involved in a new Sens' rink. But the new Sens' rink will never be in Gatineau. Not in a million years.

[Marshsparrow]

With the current ownership I don't see a departure from Kanata anytime soon.

[J.OT13]

Mayor wants Sens to consider other downtown options for new arena

CBC News · Posted: Oct 19, 2023 12:03 PM EDT | Last Updated: 6 hours ago

Federal buildings could be vacated providing opportunity for new arena

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says there is more than one option for the Ottawa Senators to find a new home in the city's downtown.

Speaking after the mayor's breakfast Thursday, Sutcliffe told reporters he wants "lots of options" on the new arena's destination.

"The federal government is talking about leaving some of its buildings in downtown Ottawa. And if that's the case, then for the first time in a long time there might be an opportunity to look at a piece of land in downtown Ottawa that would be a good fit," he said.

"If the Senators decide the best option is LeBreton Flats, then that's their decision and we'll work with them on that. But I think we need to look at all the options because this is a very big decision."

Answering questions from the mayor, Senators owner Michael Andlauer said the location of a new arena was a central topic with his bid to by the team, and he knows there's some history behind that ongoing conversation.

"It's interesting to look at, from an economic standpoint what it means … but it seems that people want the arena downtown. Certainly the NCC is desirous of it for the LeBreton lands," he said.

"My gut feel says it's the right thing. Our fans seem to feel that way as well. So there's alignment."

Andlauer said he wants to make a decision that will be looked at favourably five, 10 and 15 years down the road.

"For me it's about the fans, it's what the fans want. That's obviously the engine that drives our team so it's important to listen to the fans," he said.

"Now it's just a matter of working collaboratively in doing what's right. And for me, that's all I'm going to focus on, you know what is right, what's right for fans and everything will fall in place."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ma...downtown-options-for-new-arena-1.7001368

[Harley613]

When the last inter-provincial bridge was completed 58 years ago, the NCR's metro population was 482,000. Today it is over 1.6 million. This city can..not..build..important..things. Four levels of government, poor leadership, and a severe lack of creativity, investment, and motivation. We could have an arena on Lebreton in 3 years, but at this point, I don't know if we'll have a new arena before 2040.

[zzptichka]

Suttcliffe can take a hike imo.

[SL123]

Suttcliffe is really — me off with his little games. literally trying to stab the NCC in the back for everything they try to accomplish that would actually make this city a lot better and join Modernity

[qprcanada]

Originally Posted by SL123

Suttcliffe is really — me off with his little games. literally trying to stab the NCC in the back for everything they try to accomplish that would actually make this city a lot better and join Modernity

I agree, he appears to have no vision for the city and takes great pains to defend the status quo.

I get the impression he doesn't even enjoy being the mayor and the scrutiny it entails, much easier to be in the media where there is far less accountability.

At least Jim Watson for all his faults pushed for Stage 2 LRT which in the long run will transform the city.

I think Sutcliffe will be a one term mayor.

[passwordisnt123]

I think I probably dislike Sutcliffe more than most but he’s not wrong that having the arena somewhere in Centretown would be better than Lebreton by almost every measure. Of course it’s likely that ship sailed long ago so I don’t know why he thinks he can change course now.

[YOWflier]

I fail to see the fuss. We want an arena downtown. If there are multiple viable sites then they should all be considered.

Lebreton site as it stands is too small. Plus Andlauer&co aren’t stupid. Who in their right mind would pay a bill to build a rink on land that isn’t theirs, have the NCC as a landlord, and with a claim against it?

Lebreton will need a sweet deal. Any site will need a deal.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by YOWflier

I fail to see the fuss. We want an arena downtown. If there are multiple viable sites then they should all be considered.

Lebreton site as it stands is too small. Plus Andlauer&co aren’t stupid. Who in their right mind would pay a bill to build a rink on land that isn’t theirs, have the NCC as a landlord, and with a claim against it?

Lebreton will need a sweet deal. Any site will need a deal.

A sweet deal is much easier to offer at Le Breton. Parking revenue will largely be a captive audience for one. I think there are other plots of land they could throw in also allowing some Lansdowne style housing shenanigans.

Even if the Feds give them say the DND plot which is so well located it would surely increase attendance. Food revenue will be down with other choices, parking is totally an open market, and unless they allow a tower above the Arena there isn't room at add housing.

[Marshsparrow]

How many downtown city blocks do they need? Tear down l'esplanade laurier and call it a day. Follow the Edmonto model.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by YOWflier

I fail to see the fuss. We want an arena downtown. If there are multiple viable sites then they should all be considered.

Lebreton site as it stands is too small. Plus Andlauer&co aren’t stupid. Who in their right mind would pay a bill to build a rink on land that isn’t theirs, have the NCC as a landlord, and with a claim against it?

Lebreton will need a sweet deal. Any site will need a deal.

The thing is, we don't have multiple viable sites. We have two; LeBreton, and Bayview which is even more isolated.

If LeBreton is too small, then surely any option in the traditional Downtown would be smaller, unless we give away two city blocks and a street (and that's assuming the NCC doesn't offer up more land, which we know they are open to), and I don't think the Feds own two city adjacent blocks anywhere south of Sparks. after that, factor in the cost of demolishing a bunch of office towers.

LeBreton is the only site that offers up enough space to build a complete mixed-use development with the arena.

My fear is that Sutcliffe refuses to play ball if he doesn't get his way.

[Marshsparrow]

I suspect Sutcliffe wants it at the ballpark.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Marshsparrow

I suspect Sutcliffe wants it at the ballpark.

No doubt he wants that, or some other piece of city land that he can give, so he can refuse any other kind of support.

The problem with every other site is timing. If they need to go through a new planning process, demolish, remediate and build a new arena, we are talking at least a decade more in Kanata. That isn't a timeline that bodes well for the health of the franchise.

Ottawa is so lucky that it has a large vacant parcel that is central and on transit. So in typical fashion, it spends its time musing about what might theoretically be better. This town loves process. Results not so much.

[hwy418]

Originally Posted by Marshsparrow

How many downtown city blocks do they need? Tear down l'esplanade laurier and call it a day. Follow the Edmonto model.

I suggested that several weeks ago and most thought it was too crazy for Ottawa. Realistically, they would need a site bordered by Bank-Laurier-O'Connor-Nepean to make it work. That includes closing Gloucester Street between Bank and O'Connor. Heck, close Gloucester to vehicles from O'Connor to Elgin and make it a pedestrian-only plaza space for pre/post-game activities. Only 2 blocks from Sens Mile after the games!

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Marshsparrow

I suspect Sutcliffe wants it at the ballpark.

Originally Posted by phil235

No doubt he wants that, or some other piece of city land that he can give, so he can refuse any other kind of support.

The problem with every other site is timing. If they need to go through a new planning process, demolish, remediate and build a new arena, we are talking at least a decade more in Kanata. That isn't a timeline that bodes well for the health of the franchise.

Ottawa is so lucky that it has a large vacant parcel that is central and on transit. So in typical fashion, it spends its time musing about what might theoretically be better. This town loves process. Results not so much.

Ballpark is probably one of the stupidest proposed sites. There's barely any space and transit access across the Max Keeping bridge + VIA station are not built for crowds (like, actually not built for crowds, not in the OPS' "we don't want to do crowd control" way). Only RCMP HQ is worse with its total lack of transit access, which is a 20 minute walk to Hurdman through a wooded area, and of course, not vacant, just like DND HQ.

LeBreton is shovel ready, it has the space, the NCC, Sens and partners have been working on a plan for over a year. Any other option would take longer and cost far more.