The National Capital Commission (NCC) is telling developers who might be interested in a portion of LeBreton Flats that the new home of the Ottawa Senators could be operational by the mid-2030s. A request for expressions of interest from developers for the NCC’s “Aqueduct District” at LeBreton Flats was issued on Oct. 30. It is seeking distinctive businesses, cultural organizations, and destination operators to register interest in joining the project, which it describes as a “cultural and entertainment district” that would be home to more than 11,000 people. “With ambitious targets for affordable housing and community amenities, the area is poised to become a model for inclusive, sustainable urban living. Its location offers close proximity to transit, the Capital Pathway, and surrounding cultural destinations,” the NCC says. In a letter to potential developers, NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum touts the future Aqueduct District’s proximity to the future NHL arena. “The district will be connected by rapid transit, surrounded by new homes, workplaces, parks and public spaces, and linked directly to what will become one of the region’s premier event venues with an expected capacity of approximately 16,000 people,” Nussbaum wrote. “The future Major Events Centre will bring thousands of visitors to LeBreton Flats for sporting events, concerts and major celebrations, helping to create the energy and activity that will make the Aqueduct District a year-round destination.” Elsewhere in the document, it says the new arena would be open and operation within the next decade. “The [Aqueduct] district is adjacent to the site of the future Major Events Centre district, the planned home of the Ottawa Senators NHL hockey team that will host major concerts and events with a capacity of approximately 16,000 attendees. The Major Events Centre is on track to be operational in the mid-2030s,” the document says. Senators quiet on plans for arena The Senators have not announced any definitive plans for the future arena, including a timeline or a potential capacity size. The current capacity for Ottawa Senators games at the Canadian Tire Centre is 17,010. In early October, club owner Michael Andlauer said the LeBreton Flats project is making “some great progress,” but he did not share any specific details. “It’s taken a lot longer than I had anticipated, but we’re really excited about where we’re going,” he said. “It’s been a lot of collaboration, and it’s going to be incredible for the city of Ottawa, but it’s going to take some time, but we’re way further ahead than anybody’s ever been to this development of LeBreton.” In the summer of 2025, the Ottawa Senators announced they had signed an agreement with the National Capital Commission to purchase 11 acres of land at LeBreton Flats to build a new arena. This past August, team president and CEO Cyril Leeder said it would be at least two years before construction begins on the site, with the first phase focused on building underground parking. He estimated building the arena itself could take up to three years. “We’re hopeful in the new year that we’ll be able to do two things: one, have a real schedule and timeline when we get started, and when we finish would take place, and two, have some plans that we can start sharing with people,” Leeder said. CTV News Ottawa has reached out to the Ottawa Senators organization for comment on the information shared by the NCC. Meanwhile, developers interested in the NCC’s Aqueduct District project are asked to register their interest by Dec. 16.
