The Senators are “serious about making a deal” with the National Capital Commission to move to LeBreton Flats and build a new arena, but there are “still hurdles both sides need to overcome to make that happen,” according to Bruce Garrioch of the OTTAWA SUN. Senators President & CEO Cyril Leeder told those attending a city building summit organized by the Ottawa Board of Trade on Tuesday that the team’s “sole focus is on making a deal at LeBreton Flats.” Senators owner Michael Andlauer and his partners have been “given an extension until September” by NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum to get a lease agreement in place. Garrioch noted representatives of the two sides “continue bi-weekly meetings to try to get a lease agreement in place.” But sources said that there are “issues to be settled in this negotiation,” not the least of which is the "size of the parcel of land." The NCC has “set aside a seven-acre piece of land.” In comparison, the Canadian Tire Centre and the surrounding parking lots sit on 75 acres. Sources said that under the current scenario at LeBreton, the Senators are “concerned they have little to no room for public parking and the organization would have to rely on light-rail transit.” Garrioch noted the team also “wants space for an arena district with bars and restaurants as a gathering place.” The NCC has “strict green requirements” on the new building, which will add to the costs. Last week, Nussbaum noted that September “isn’t a hard deadline” (OTTAWA SUN, 4/24).
