In keeping with the team’s rebuild, the Ottawa Senators are bringing a new roster of development players to a revived proposal for a downtown home for the city’s National Hockey League (NHL) franchise. The National Capital Commission (NCC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the consortium, Capital Sports Development Inc. (CSDI), towards a future ice arena, entertainment venue and adjoining mixed-use development on the vast tract known as LeBreton Flats.

“This is another important step in the implementation of our Building LeBreton plan: the start of an incredibly exciting and transformative city-building project that will become a landmark and major destination in the National Capital Region,” says the NCC’s chief executive officer, Tobi Nussbaum.

The MOU follows the abandonment of an earlier attempt to build a major sports facility on the long-vacant lands near the Ottawa River waterfront. This time, the consortium includes: Sterling Project Development, the developer and project manager behind the recently constructed new facility for the NHL’s New York Islanders; the global design firm, Populous, which brings experience in designing major sports facilities in North America and United Kingdom; the sports finance and advisory firm, Tipping Point Sports; and the event producer and promoter, Live Nation.

“We believe that this development will have a major impact on both the National Capital Region and our franchise — one that will help to shape the future of the city,” says Anthony LeBlanc, president of business operations for the Ottawa Senators. “We thank the NCC for their collaboration, and look forward to working alongside them as we take the next steps on this exciting journey.”

The two parties to the MOU are aiming to have an implementation plan and a long-term lease agreement in place for autumn 2023.