The Ottawa Senators’ path to a playing in a downtown arena appeared to get much easier on Tuesday.
By Michael Woods.
Only two of the four groups shortlisted to redevelop LeBreton Flats submitted detailed proposals by Tuesday’s deadline, the National Capital Commission said.
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The NCC said DCDLS Group (formerly called Devcore Group) and Rendez Vous LeBreton Group are the two finalists to redevelop the prime parcel of land just west of downtown.
Rendez Vous includes Senators Sports and Entertainment, the company that owns the Ottawa Senators. Its proposal would include an arena on the site.
DCDLS’s bid was originally said to include multiple cultural institutions. However, multiple reports Tuesday said it also includes an NHL-calibre arena. Both proposals would also include residential and commercial elements, as well as green spaces.
The Senators, who have played in Kanata since 1996, covet LeBreton Flats because its more central location would give them access to a larger fan base from areas east and north of the city.
The NCC also made public the project’s request for proposals on Tuesday, which includes the design criteria that proponents were required to include in their submissions.
The two proposals will be made public Jan. 26 at the start of a two-day open house at the Canadian War Museum. The two groups will present their plans and people can ask questions and submit feedback.
The event will be live-streamed, and the NCC will be taking online feedback until Feb. 8. It aims to announce the successful proponent in June.
The other two shortlisted groups – Claridge Homes and Focus Equities – did not give reasons for not submitting proposals, NCC spokesman Mario Tremblay said.
Claridge had proposed indoor and outdoor concert facilities, and Focus had proposed the headquarters of an international organization. Both proposals would have also included green space and residential and commercial developments.
The four pre-qualified groups were selected last February, and given $75,000 each to develop their proposals.
The original Oct. 30 deadline was extended to Dec. 15.
This article originally appeared on metronews.ca on Dec. 15.
