In an opinion piece, Ottawa Citizen Brigitte Pellerin slammed the city of Ottawa and the Ottawa Senators for the land deal to build a new stadium. This week, the National Capital Commission reached a deal with the NHL to sell 11 acres of LeBreton Flats to construct a new stadium for the Senators. Pellerin, a writer for the Citizen, was less than thrilled at the prospect.
“I don’t wish to be more of a killjoy than usual and deny the people of Ottawa their bread and circuses,” Pellerin said. “But golly. Do we really need to devote that much public space to professional sports, related loud restaurants and louder bars? Are there no other pursuits worthy of our collective approval?”
The Senators had an initial deal to purchase the LeBreton Flats land during Eugene Melnyk’s ownership of the Senators. The deal came to an abrupt end during a falling out between Melnyk and business partner John Ruddy.
LeBreton Land Used for More than Arena
“Why must arenas take over valuable public spaces like that?” Pellerin adds. “What if, instead, we had decided to use this beautiful space for complete communities with lots of various housing options, including the affordable kind, arts venues, places for people, flexible office space, playgrounds, sponge parks, or whatever else people think we should have, determined by a real and thorough public consultation, in a space that ought to remain fully accessible to the public for historical and community reasons?”
The land purchase, per the Citizen, will include hotel and residential spaces. Zibi, a 34-acre community next to the new arena, features mixed housing, community spaces and a variety of venues for arts and social events. Additionally, the arena is set to break ground next to Ottawa’s newest super-library, which features an outdoor plaza and terraces for public gatherings.
“We could do something inspired by that at LeBreton Flats,” Pellerin said. “But we’re not, because in Ottawa, if it doesn’t involve an ice rink, we don’t even think about it. Colour me deeply disappointed.”
The city of Ottawa recently approved over $334M in funding to build the largest library in the city.
Community Excited for New Senators Arena
Tobi Nussbaum, the Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, sung praises of the new Senators arena. “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.”
“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.”
Fans and members of the community in particular are more than excited to have the Senators closer to downtown. “To have it downtown is going to be a revitalization of the entire community,” said Dereck Watkins, a season ticket holder for the Senators. “I think it’s gonna be a huge bonus.”
“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,” said Senators CEO Cyril Leeder.
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