The Ottawa Senators will play another season at the Canadian Tire Centre once the 2024-25 NHL campaign begins. The Kanata, Ontario-based location has housed the NHL franchise since 1996, which has left the Senators fanbase clamoring for a downtown arena for years. Well, it turns out that those fans are finally getting their wish.
Senators insider Wayne Scanlan is reporting that the Senators and National Capital Commission (NCC) will announce a downtown arena deal before the weekend. "Expect an announcement today that the Senators have reached an agreement with the NCC to build an arena and other amenities on LeBreton Flats," Scanlan posted on X. Expect an announcement today that the Senators have reached an agreement with the NCC to build an arena and other amenities on LeBreton Flats.
The Senators will have a media conference this afternoon. Scanlan added in a follow-up post that an official announcement will be made by the team at 1 p.m.
ET on Friday. Fellow Ottawa reporter Bruce Garrioch reported that the agreement "came together at the 11th hour" and that the two sides didn't want to prolong things beyond Friday's deadline. The Senators and NCC could've continued to hammer out a deal if they were still on the same page, however, it's clear that the pair wanted to move on as soon as possible.
Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images The major announcement comes around a year after Michael Andlauer purchased the Senators. The eccentric owner has vowed to do right by the fanbase throughout his tenure and a downtown arena is the next step to earning more of their support. It won't only be an arena that gets built at LeBreton Flats, though.
According to Garrioch, the Senators want to "make the area a destination for visitors" by adding various "amenities" in the vicinity, including bars and restaurants. Related: NHL Reveals Key Dates for 2024-25 Season The Canadian Tire Centre is currently a 20-minute drive (on a good day) from Ottawa's downtown core, so it's easy to see why Senators fans are excited about a downtown arena. "Beautiful.
Games will be sold out now that fans don't have to commute 45 minutes away from the city," one fan replied to Garrioch's post. Beautiful, games will be sold out now that fans don't have to commute 45 minutes away from the city https://t.co/PQNu84D3Y4 "I can't think of a better location close to Quebec and accessible by public transit," another Senators supporter said.
YAHOOO. I can’t think of a better location close to Quebec and accessible by public transit. [when it works, of course].
Thanks for the heads up. "The rebuild is ending this season AND they're getting a new arena? Sens up a million," another excited hockey fan chimed in. The rebuild is ending this season AND they’re getting a new arena? Sens up a million.
https://t.co/JoJqsPhu8I While the prospect of a new downtown arena is exciting, the Senators must first focus on the upcoming season. They'll open their 2024-25 schedule when they host the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers on Oct.
10..
