Ottawa Senators LeBreton Arena | 11 Acres | In Planning

[zzptichka]

Imagine open double-decker bus starting from the Museum of Nature, driving up Elgin, Wellington, over to Lebreton Flats where the celebration happens on the big lawn and then the team walks with the Cup into the arena high-fiving everyone along the way. Would be pretty epic.

[rocketphish]

Downtown BIAs say they’re cautiously optimistic about new sports arena at LeBreton Flats

Marissa Galko, OBJ
August 12, 2025

A new sports arena at LeBreton Flats would be a catalyst for revitalization, the Downtown BIA executive director says.

In a statement on Monday, the National Capital Commission announced it would sell about 11 acres at LeBreton Flats to Capital Sports Development, which represents the Ottawa Senators. The NCC described the agreement as a “key step in bringing a major events centre and arena district, including mixed-use development, to LeBreton Flats.”

The agreement allows the process of building a new home for the Senators at LeBreton Flats to begin. The NCC said the next steps will include various zoning, design and other approvals as well as the decontamination of the former industrial land.

Kevin McHale, executive director of the Downtown BIA, said Tuesday he was excited to hear that the sale had been finalized.

“It’s been a long time coming. Some people may say it’s 40 years too late but it’s a major investment in the downtown area. It’ll be a real beautiful anchor at LeBreton Flats, along with all the other housing and amenities being built down there,” he told OBJ.

Calling the future arena and entertainment district “a boon for businesses,” McHale said it would benefit businesses not only within his BIA, but also Little Italy, Chinatown and the rest of downtown.

In a statement, the Ottawa Board of Trade said that, “This announcement marks a major step forward in realizing the long-held vision for the development of LeBreton Flats as a transformative economic driver for Ottawa – one that will create thousands of jobs and attract significant investment to our city.”

Jacqueline Belsito, president of the Senators Community Foundation, posted a reaction on LinkedIn. “Imagine this: walking downtown on a crisp winter night, grabbing dinner, and then joining thousands of fans to watch your favorite team hit the ice. It will be a major economic driver, creating jobs, attracting tourism, and anchoring growth in the core. A new event centre and arena district will also host concerts, community events, and world-class entertainment bringing new life, energy, and pride to our downtown.”

But with a new arena not expected to open for years, McHale said he’s cautiously optimistic about its impact.

“It’ll just be an opportunity for people to hang out (at) the office a little longer. (It will be) increasing the time people spend downtown (and) increasing the number of people coming downtown,” McHale said, adding that out-of-town visitors may be more likely to stay longer.

SabriNa Lemay, executive director of Centretown BIA, said that while there are some challenges ahead, like issues around car traffic, the project will help the downtown core thrive.

“We are so thrilled to … have a staple like that so close to downtown. It’s only going to drive more traffic downtown,” she said. “I keep telling everyone (that) there’s no better time to invest in Centretown (and) downtown as a whole, because you’re a part of a collective change. There’s a big turnover happening and it’s very exciting.”

With a new entertainment district at LeBreton acting “as a marker of investment in the core space,” McHale said it could encourage other businesses to establish roots in the downtown.

“It’s a great opportunity for private-sector investment in the downtown area. We’re hopeful that this kicks off property owners and business owners or potential future owners to think about bringing their business downtown,” he said.

As Ottawa looks to revitalize its downtown, McHale said an arena will be a catalyst for change.

“There (have) been many things that we’ve been sitting here and waiting for. There’s been a hurry-up-and-wait approach to some projects … There’s going to be a hotel as part of this (project) and I think there’s an opportunity for downtown hotels to reinvigorate and reinvest in themselves,” he said, adding that the drive for change could also extend to office buildings, restaurants, retail and parking lots.

https://obj.ca/downtown-bias-cautiously-optimistic-arena-lebreton-flats/

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Tesladom

To this I would say - Hey Mayor Sutcliffe, did the city paying for the Lansdowne football and potentially the new rink using taxpayer dollars? Not to mention that useless library we built... This arena will welcome likely 100+ events every year, that likely around 1.5Million visits, how many people will go to that Library???
To think that a private business will dump $1Billion in this city and the 3 levels of government will not contribute anything is a bold face lie

.... end rant

Useless library? Seriously?

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

[B]Downtown BIAs say they’re cautiously optimistic about new sports arena at LeBreton Flats

As Ottawa looks to revitalize its downtown, McHale said an arena will be a catalyst for change.

Does anyone here define LeBreton as downtown? It seems more like a close suburban location. I really noticed that the last few years with Canada Day there. (This will be even further West). 20 minutes to Preston or 30 minutes to Bank street is outside of the especially winter walking radius for most.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Does anyone here define LeBreton as downtown? It seems more like a close suburban location. I really noticed that the last few years with Canada Day there. (This will be even further West). 20 minutes to Preston or 30 minutes to Bank street is outside of the especially winter walking radius for most.

Not downtown, but certainly not "suburban".

[AuxTown]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Does anyone here define LeBreton as downtown? It seems more like a close suburban location. I really noticed that the last few years with Canada Day there. (This will be even further West). 20 minutes to Preston or 30 minutes to Bank street is outside of the especially winter walking radius for most.

From Pimisi, it is a 19 minute walk (through 75% very urban environment) to Sansotei in the heart of downtown. Lebreton will no doubt be dense and contiguous with downtown. While there is some lower-density housing nearby south of Albert, that will not be the case for this area. So my vote is downtown.

The closest comparison I can think is is Griffintown in MTL. Maybe not right in the CBD but very dense and urban. And it is continuous with the skyscrapers in the south end of the 'true downtown'.

[Tesladom]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Useless library? Seriously?

Poll Ottawa residents, how many will visit this $300Million site?, probably fewer than 5% (and that's likely being very generous). Not saying its not nice, but when the issue of funding for Sports arenas come in, everybody gets their backs up, yet this library went ahead with its excessive architecture, taxpayer funded (Municipal & Federal) without any outcry. When I'm travelling outside Ottawa, especially when I'm in the US, the only things that routinely references Ottawa is the NHL scoreboard and Senators. It puts us on the map on a Tuesday night in Dallas for example

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Tesladom

Poll Ottawa residents, how many will visit this $300Million site?, probably fewer than 5% (and that's likely being very generous). Not saying its not nice, but when the issue of funding for Sports arenas come in, everybody gets their backs up, yet this library went ahead with its excessive architecture, taxpayer funded (Municipal & Federal) without any outcry. When I'm travelling outside Ottawa, especially when I'm in the US, the only things that routinely references Ottawa is the NHL scoreboard and Senators. It puts us on the map on a Tuesday night in Dallas for example

3.5 million in-person visits per year, apparently, although that would be across the whole system. The City's portion of the cost is $168million.

[Tesladom]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

3.5 million in-person visits per year, apparently, although that would be across the whole system. The City's portion of the cost is $168million.

That's 10,000 per day, but across 33 sites, that's an average of 300 visits per day per library. My point is not that the Central Library is not worthwhile, but if we are to choose if $168Million is worthwhile for this, then how much is a new Arena worth that will draw much more people (and money, prestige, events and spinoff business)?
It's at least worth $168Million
How much did the City dump into Lansdowne partnership? The city's contribution to Landsdowne 2.0 is estimated at $146Million! - that's not including the original Landsdowne investment

To make matter worse for the Library, it is a net cost to the city to operate this facility, it will bring in almost no revenue (tax or otherwise), just million in expenses to taxpayers (65Million is the cost for to operate all facilities as per 2025 budget). The arena on the other hand will bring in millions in property taxes and other levies, not to mention the development around the site.

Again I want Sutcliffe to put his "Big-Boy Pants" and have an honest discussion about this

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Tesladom

That's 10,000 per day, but across 33 sites, that's an average of 300 visits per day per library. My point is not that the Central Library is not worthwhile, but if we are to choose if $168Million is worthwhile for this, then how much is a new Arena worth that will draw much more people (and money, prestige, events and spinoff business)?
It's at least worth $168Million
How much did the City dump into Lansdowne partnership?

Too much.

[7empest]

Oh no, Dallas isn't talking about Ottawa on a Tuesday night!

Personally excited for the new arena and library. Not saying I agree with the Lansdowne funding situation either though.

[Marshsparrow]

People in Centretown saying Lebreton isn't downtown enough and complaining... yet anytime a Centretown location was discussed same people pearl clutching... this is why Ottawa is a joke.

I for one am glad it is here - best of the inner greenbelt spots.

[urbanforest]

Originally Posted by Tesladom

Poll Ottawa residents, how many will visit this $300Million site?, probably fewer than 5% (and that's likely being very generous).

The government did an estimate like you suggested and the number they arrived at was 1.7 million visitors a year.

But that's just an estimate. For a concrete number, in 2024, 3,540,000 visits were made to OPL's existing branches.

For comparison, the NAC—another landmark public building, recorded 742,000 visitors to its performances and commercial activities (ie the coffee shop) last year— that doesn't count the near constant use of its free public spaces.

But I get it, those numbers are based on visits, and your question is about individual taxpayers, and the same point could be made about the hundreds of millions of dollars that we're all paying for new/expanded roads in the suburbs that most living downtown will never use.

Originally Posted by Tesladom

yet this library went ahead with its excessive architecture, taxpayer funded (Municipal & Federal)

It's worth noting that the federal contribution is for the Library and Archives portion of the building.

Originally Posted by Tesladom

When I'm travelling outside Ottawa, especially when I'm in the US, the only things that routinely references Ottawa is the NHL scoreboard and Senators. It puts us on the map on a Tuesday night in Dallas for example

Surely I can't be the only one who couldn't care less if someone in Dallas thinks about Ottawa.

[Tesladom]

Originally Posted by 7empest

Oh no, Dallas isn't talking about Ottawa on a Tuesday night!

Really, how about the 18000 people in the arena when Sens are in town and probably 200,000 people watching the game on TV in that market? ANd then on Thursday same thing happens in Denver (and on and on)

If not for the Ottawa Senators, no Americans would know anything about Ottawa, at least now hockey fans have an understanding of the city. I work for a US company, they are all aware of "Ottawa" when I say it, no explanation necessary. This is in large part due to Senators

[FrostyMug]

Originally Posted by Tesladom

If not for the Ottawa Senators, no Americans would know anything about Ottawa, at least now hockey fans have an understanding of the city. I work for a US company, they are all aware of "Ottawa" when I say it, no explanation necessary. This is in large part due to Senators

If you believe that the Sens are the only draw for Americans to be aware of Ottawa then I'd suggest your viewpoint is extremely narrow minded. As per ChatGPT Ottawa welcomes on average 10 million visitors per year. While obviously not all are American many are and I'm very confident they come for skating or boating on the canal, Bluesfest, the many museums and so much more. The Sens are just one draw but not the only one and honestly if anyone from anywhere other than Ottawa chooses to be naive about the rest of the planet and what it has to offer that is a them problem and having a hockey rink in downtown Ottawa isn't going to change that.

I grew up on the US border. American naivety is inherent in their education system. I'm not aware of other capital cities around the world because of their sports teams. In fact I'd never be able to name any sports franchise outside of North America. But I can confidently name a multitude of foreign capital cities.

[Spoonsy]

Originally Posted by Tesladom

If not for the Ottawa Senators, no Americans would know anything about Ottawa, at least now hockey fans have an understanding of the city. I work for a US company, they are all aware of "Ottawa" when I say it, no explanation necessary. This is in large part due to Senators

maybe if your american friends had access to a new sick 🞵🞵🞵 library they'd have wider knowledge of the world

[GeoNerd]

In a forum full of dumb comments, calling a central library “useless”, Lebreton Flats “suburban”, and Ottawa “a joke” because a handful of complainers, have to be up there with some of dumbest comments I’ve seen on here. Be better.

[Richard Eade]

This discussion has become a bit strange. It reminded me of a story from a fellow I know who was at a gas station in a small southern U.S.A. town when he was asked by the attendant where he was from. He replied “Canada.”

Apparently, this answer threw the attendant for a loop. What followed went something like this:

Attendant – “Where’s that?”
Fellow – “Canada is a big country just north of the U.S..”
Attendant – “Ain’t nothing north of the States.”
Fellow – “There is a huge country up there.”
Attendant – “It’s not on the map.”

The Attendant leads the fellow into the office where there is a wall map of the U.S.A. – which shows nothing but a blank, white, area above the States. This resulted in a trip to the fellow’s car to dig out an old paper map from the glove box.

Fellow – “This is Canada; where all those roads go to.”
Attendant – “When did they put that there?”

Unfortunately, this is a true story. There are places in the U.S. where people know very little about anything outside of the States. If those folks watch hockey and see the name Ottawa, they could easily think it was a place within the U.S.. Afterall, there are 11 places in ‘America’ named Ottawa:

1. Ottawa – Wisconsin
2. Ottawa – West Virginia
3. Ottawa – Pennsylvania
4. Ottawa – Oklahoma
5. Ottawa – Ohio
6. Ottawa – Minnesota
7. Ottawa – Michigan
8. Ottawa – Kentucky
9. Ottawa – Kansas (where ‘Ottawa University’ is, as opposed to our ‘University of Ottawa’)
10. Ottawa – Iowa
11. Ottawa – Illinois

[phil235]

Originally Posted by urbanforest

Surely I can't be the only one who couldn't care less if someone in Dallas thinks about Ottawa.

This actually does matter. Having a pro sports team does put the city on the map in a way that millions of dollars of tourism advertising cannot. It gives Ottawa credibility as a major centre, which is important in terms of attracting talent, business investment etc. Hard to measure for sure, but it shouldn't be dismissed.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

Unfortunately, this is a true story. There are places in the U.S. where people know very little about anything outside of the States. If those folks watch hockey and see the name Ottawa, they could easily think it was a place within the U.S.. Afterall, there are 11 places in ‘America’ named Ottawa:

1. Ottawa – Wisconsin
2. Ottawa – West Virginia
3. Ottawa – Pennsylvania
4. Ottawa – Oklahoma
5. Ottawa – Ohio
6. Ottawa – Minnesota
7. Ottawa – Michigan
8. Ottawa – Kentucky
9. Ottawa – Kansas (where ‘Ottawa University’ is, as opposed to our ‘University of Ottawa’)
10. Ottawa – Iowa
11. Ottawa – Illinois

I don't doubt your story, but there is literally no one who thinks that any of the places you list have an NHL team.