Latest news with #CyrilLeeder
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Ottawa Senators Are Building A New Arena — And An NHL Contender
Less than two years after Michael Andlauer officially took over as the new owner of the Ottawa Senators, his team has made major strides both on and off the ice. On Monday, the team's real estate arm, Capital Sports Development Inc. jointly announced with the region's National Capital Commission that the two sides had officially signed off on the land-sale agreement at LeBreton Flats which would pave the way for a long-desired new arena complex closer to Ottawa's downtown core. 'We are pleased to reach an agreement of purchase and sale with the NCC to take the next step in this process,' said Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder in a statement on Monday, while acknowledging that much more work needs to be done before actual construction begins. Decontamination of the land parcels must take place while the zoning and design are completed and approved. 'This agreement builds on the two previous real estate transactions completed by the NCC since 2022 on the Building LeBreton project that will see over 2000 new housing units along with new retail and commercial spaces built on the site,' said Tobi Nussbaum, the CEO of the NCC. The Senators' previous owner, the late Eugene Melnyk, put the wheels in motion for a potential project at LeBreton Flats back in 2016, but was never able to get the project off the ground. Since taking the reins, Andlauer has transformed the vision of a new arena from a dream into reality in just two years. The Senators are also making strides on the ice. In 2024-25, the team's 97 points marked its best showing since 98 points in the 2016-17 season, when Ottawa reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. The Senators also reached the playoffs for the first time since 2017, delivering a thrilling six-game first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs as the team's talented young core got a first-hand taste of what it takes to succeed in the post-season. 'It was definitely a long time coming,' said team captain Brady Tkachuk, who has now completed seven seasons with the Senators since being drafted fourth overall in 2018. 'I know it wasn't the results that we wanted, but I think all those experiences are just going to help myself and my teammates moving forward. Getting to the playoffs is great but once you get in, then anything can happen.' Along with his brother Matthew and father Keith, Tkachuk was named one of the cover athletes for EA Sports' NHL 26 game last week, making him arguably the Senators' most visible star since Erik Karlsson was traded in 2018. Last season, with new coach Travis Green at the helm and Linus Ullmark providing a reliable presence in net, the Senators dropped their goals against by 0.60 goals per game from one year earlier. Even more impressive — they were able to move into the top half of the league defensively without sacrificing offense. An improved power play was a key weapon. The 2024-25 campaign was also a coming-out party for 22-year-old defenseman Jake Sanderson, a tireless skater with strong defensive chops. Sanderson chipped in 57 points during the regular season and scored the overtime goal on Apr. 26 that extended the Senators' playoff run thanks to the team's first post-season win since 2017. Along with Tkachuk, Sanderson also turned heads with his play for Team USA at February's 4 Nations Face-Off, announcing himself as a key talent among the NHL's next wave of elite defensemen. After Ottawa GM Steve Staios re-signed veteran leader Claude Giroux to a new one-year contract with a $2 million base salary and $2.75 million in potential performance bonuses, the team's biggest off-season subtraction was 19-goal scorer Adam Gaudette, who signed a two-year free-agent deal with the San Jose Sharks. The Senators also augmented their roster by picking up 24-year-old right-shot defenseman Jordan Spence in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings during draft weekend. Not counting the new Utah Mammoth franchise, whose home at the Delta Center is undergoing ongoing renovations, the New York Islanders were the NHL's most recent team to complete a long-awaited arena move when they settled into UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. That project was approved in 2019 and the arena opened its doors in November of 2021. The Calgary Flames had the development permit approved for their new arena, Scotiabank Place, in December of 2024. They're hoping to move into their new digs in the fall of 2027. While the LeBreton Flats project moves ahead, the Ottawa Senators are about to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their current home, the Canadian Tire Centre, when the Montreal Canadiens come to town for a Saturday-night showdown on Jan. 17, 2026. The arena in Kanata, Ont., 13 miles southwest of downtown Ottawa, first opened on Jan. 15, 1996, midway through the Senators' fourth season.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Senators announce land sale deal for future arena district
August 12 - It seems the Ottawa Senators are one step closer to a new downtown arena. The Senators and the National Capital Commission announced an agreement for the purchase and sale of approximately 11 acres of land parcels in the LeBreton Flats neighborhood near Parliament Hill, the team announced Monday. The club will pay just more than $30 million for the land, the Ottawa Citizen reported. "We are pleased to reach an agreement of purchase and sale with the NCC to take the next step in this process," Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder said in a statement. "There are still many more hurdles to clear, and we look forward to working with the NCC and other stakeholders to achieve our shared vision of creating an event center at LeBreton Flats that can be enjoyed by our Ottawa-Gatineau community." Some of those hurdles include zoning, design and approvals, as well as decontamination of the land ahead of construction. The Senators and the NCC are planning on building an entertainment district in addition to a new rink. They reached an agreement in principle for the sale of the land in September 2024 after signing an arena deal in June 2022. The Senators currently play at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata section of Ottawa, which is roughly 15 miles away from downtown Ottawa. They will celebrate their 30th anniversary in the arena in January. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Forum Talk: Ottawa Senators Inch Closer To Downtown Arena District
The Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission signed an agreement of purchase and sale of about 11 acres of land. That means they're another step closer toward building a rink, arena district and mixed-use development at LeBreton Flats in downtown Ottawa. This sale follows an agreement in principle from last year. And as Senators president-CEO Cyril Leeder said in a press release on Monday, there are still many more hurdles to clear, but they're taking the next step in a process to build a rink that's not only more central in Ottawa but more accessible to residents of Gatineau, Que., with nearby interprovincial bridges over the Ottawa River. Postmedia reports the Senators agreed to pay just more than $30 million in the sales and that there's also expected to be new housing, a hotel, restaurants and more in the district. This reminds me of the Ice District in Edmonton, which houses Rogers Place, the home of the Edmonton Oilers. But what other arena developments can you think of that brought this much significant change to a city? This is a post in The Hockey News Community, a forum where hockey fans can join or start the conversation.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ottawa Senators, NCC finalize land deal for new arena at LeBreton Flats
OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators are one step closer to having a new arena in the city's downtown core. The Senators and the National Capital Commission have agreed on the sale of 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of land at LeBreton Flats for the project. The agreement of purchase and sale with Capital Sports Development Inc., the team's development arm, follows a deal reached with the NCC last September for a development that includes a new arena. It will allow zoning, design and approvals to proceed, along with decontamination of the site to prepare for construction. 'We are pleased to reach an agreement of purchase and sale with the NCC to take the next step in this process," Senators CEO and President Cyril Leeder said in a statement. "There are still many more hurdles to clear, and we look forward to working with the NCC and other stakeholders to achieve our shared vision of creating an event centre at LeBreton Flats that can be enjoyed by our Ottawa-Gatineau community.' Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In a release, the sides said "the agreement is a key step in bringing a major events centre and arena district, including mixed-use development, to LeBreton Flats." The new arena would give the Senators a more central home than their current base at the Canadian Tire Centre in suburban Kanata. The suburb, about 25 kilometres from the city's core, has been home to the Senators since 1996. The Senators signed a memorandum of understanding with the NCC in June 2022 to develop LeBreton Flats, and with the purchase agreement now finalized the project can move toward construction. A previous deal to redevelop LeBreton Flats and build an arena under former owner Eugene Melnyk collapsed in 2019 following a fallout between Melnyk and business partner John Ruddy. Melnyk died in March 2022, and Michael Andlauer — a Toronto businessman and former minority owner of the Montreal Canadiens — purchased the team the following year. The LeBreton Flats land deal, finalized under Andlauer's ownership, replaces the earlier plan for a long-term lease of 2.4 hectares, giving the project a much larger footprint. Last September, NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum said the arena is just one part of a broader vision for LeBreton Flats, which will eventually include more than 6,000 housing units with a target of 25 per cent as affordable housing, as well as parks and public spaces. 'The promise of a major events centre will provide a lively and convenient attraction for residents and visitors, inject new energy and excitement into the core of the Nation's capital and further catalyze the development of LeBreton Flats," Nussbaum said in a statement Monday. "This agreement builds on the two previous real estate transactions completed by the NCC since 2022 on the Building LeBreton project that will see over 2,000 new housing units, along with new retail and commercial spaces built on the site.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 11, 2025. The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Ottawa Senators, NCC complete sale agreement for 11 acres at LeBreton Flats
The dream of an arena closer to downtown has taken a massive step towards becoming reality. The Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission announced on Monday that they have reached an agreement for the purchase and sale of land parcels totalling approximately 11 acres at LeBreton Flats. This represents a significant step in what has been a lengthy process of the Senators moving closer. Postmedia reported on July 16 that the two sides were on track for a deal, and the hope was that it would be approved by the NCC's board of directors next month. 'We are pleased to reach an agreement of purchase and sale with the NCC to take the next step in this process,' Senators president and chief executive officer Cyril Leeder said in a statement. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'There are still many more hurdles to clear, and we look forward to working with the NCC and other stakeholders to achieve our shared vision of creating an event centre at LeBreton Flats that can be enjoyed by our Ottawa-Gatineau community.' Both sides will now go ahead with the next steps in the project, which include zoning, design and approvals, as well as decontamination of the land parcels to prepare for construction. Naturally, NCC officials were thrilled to get this part of the agreement across the finish line. The project, which is expected to be led by Claridge Homes, will include new housing, a hotel and a district that will include restaurants. 'The promise of a major events centre will provide a lively and convenient attraction for residents and visitors, inject new energy and excitement into the core of the Nation's Capital and further catalyze the development of LeBreton Flats,' said Tobi Nussbaum, CEO of the NCC. 'This agreement builds on the two previous real estate transactions completed by the NCC since 2022 on the Building LeBreton project that will see over 2000 new housing units, along with new retail and commercial spaces built on the site.' The final deal didn't happen as quickly as Senators owner Michael Andlauer would like, but there were no shortage of issues to overcome, and it is a complex agreement. Andlauer has stated he'd like to bring the club to downtown Ottawa because that's where the fans have indicated they want it to be. The NCC had set aside a 10-acre piece of land on Albert Street between Preston Street and the City Centre, just west of Ottawa's new super-library, which is now under construction. It's believed the arena project will also include a hotel and residential space. Nussbaum and Leeder announced on Sept. 20, 2024, that the two sides had reached an agreement in principle for the National Hockey League club to buy the land. Since then, the NCC and representatives of the Senators, led by Leeder, have held regular talks. Postmedia reported in June that sources with knowledge of the talks said the two sides were trying to determine a proper price for the five parcels of land, and a significant gap remained to be bridged. The indications were that the NCC and the Senators both had assessments of the land's cost done, which left the parties trying to determine what constituted 'fair market value.' Postmedia also reported that there was a third-party assessment to help move the talks along, and that hurdle may have been cleared. More later …
