In the fast-paced world of NHL negotiations, Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer is standing tall and confident as the Sept. 20 deadline looms large on the horizon. With hopes high and determination in his voice, Andlauer believes that the team will indeed secure a lease agreement with the National Capital Commission to bring to life their vision of a new downtown arena at LeBreton Flats.
Speaking to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch at the team’s charity golf tournament, Andlauer expressed his optimism, saying, “I am hopeful (the lease will get done). But that’s just the first piece… everybody wants it and, like I said before, it has to be on the terms of the fans. That’s all I’m asking for.”
Back in June of 2022, the Senators were elated to be named the preferred bidder for the LeBreton Flats project, signing a memorandum with a group led by the team for what was described as a “major event center.” The excitement was palpable, as the NCC revealed that the Senators’ bid had triumphed over “multiple” other expressions of interest for the coveted land situated just west of Ottawa’s Centretown neighborhood, in close proximity to the city’s bustling core.
With the clock ticking towards the Sept. 20 deadline that the NCC has set for finalizing an agreement, there seems to be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Recent reports from Postmedia suggest that the Senators and representatives of the NCC are finally gaining traction in their discussions to establish a lease agreement, paving the way for a new chapter in the team’s history.
Andlauer, always keeping the fans at the forefront of his mind, emphasized, “I’m not asking for a discount, I’m not asking for a special privilege like others may have in the past. All I’m asking is that they do what’s fair. Ultimately, our fans are the taxpayers and they’re the ones that if they want it, then we’ve gotta (get it done).”
In a plea for transparency and cooperation, Andlauer called upon the city and the NCC to be open and forthcoming throughout the process. “I’m hopeful and I’m trying to be as open and transparent as possible (about the process) and I’m asking the city and the NCC to do the same.”
The Senators have long called Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata their home since January of 1996, but with the possibility of a new downtown arena at LeBreton Flats on the horizon, the team—and their loyal fans—are eagerly anticipating what the future may hold. With Andlauer at the helm and negotiations in full swing, the dream of a new home for the Senators may soon become a reality. Stay tuned for updates as the Sept. 20 deadline draws near.
