Environmental assessments have revealed that the soil on the LeBreton Flats site is contaminated, necessitating remediation work before construction can commence.

Cyril Leeder, the president and CEO of the Senators, highlighted the importance of collaboration with the NCC and other stakeholders to realize the vision for an event center at LeBreton Flats.

This development represents the Senators' second attempt to establish a project at LeBreton Flats, following a previous deal that fell through in 2019.

Following a successful season that saw the Senators return to the playoffs, the team is now close to finalizing a new arena deal to replace their current home at Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata.

Sens owner Michael Andlauer expressed a desire to expedite the deal, although remediation costs for the site remain undetermined and are part of ongoing negotiations.

Next steps will involve obtaining zoning and design approvals, addressing land decontamination, and preparing for construction.

The Ottawa Senators have reached a significant milestone by finalizing an agreement with the National Capital Commission (NCC) for the purchase of 11 acres of land at LeBreton Flats, moving closer to the construction of a new arena.

This agreement marks a pivotal step towards realizing a downtown hockey venue, a long-standing dream for the franchise and its supporters.

While there is no established timeline for the new arena's construction, the Senators are drawing inspiration from modern rinks like Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena and Edmonton's Rogers Place.

The NCC's CEO, Tobi Nussbaum, emphasized that the development will include over 6,000 housing units, with a goal of 25% being affordable housing, as well as parks and public spaces.

Calls for the Senators to move from their current location, which is 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa, have intensified due to convenience issues for fans.

The Senators will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Canadian Tire Centre on January 17, 2026, suggesting that the current arena may soon be replaced.