One step closer to a new arena

Good morning! 

Ever since I was a kid, I remember the countless pushes to finally build on LeBreton Flats. It's hard to believe a prime piece of real estate in Canada’s Capital has sat vacant for literally generations. 

Over the years, there has been some progress. In 2005, the Canadian War Museum opened on a section of the empty land. Around that same time, a few high-rises were built. Interestingly enough, LeBreton Flats has also been home to some fascinating archaeological digs, which have unearthed remnants of Bytown’s past. And currently, work is underway on the new Ādisōke central library, which is slated to open next year, though it will most likely face delays. 

Just days ago, we learned the Ottawa Senators are one step closer to building a new hockey arena on the LeBreton Flats site. We break down the details we know to date. 

Let’s get to it.

— Charlie Senack, Ottawa Lookout managing editor, [email protected], X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

(A heat warning remains in effect for Ottawa) 🥵 

Wednesday: 30 🌡️ 22 | 🌧️

Thursday: 27 🌡️ 19 | ☀️ 

Friday: 26 🌡️ 16 | ☀️

DEVELOPMENT

Ottawa Senators reach deal to purchase land for new arena at LeBreton Flats

For 30 years, Sens fans have had to hop on the highway and travel to the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata to watch a game. While it’s been a boost to the suburban businesses, it’s not always the most convenient place for attendees. 

On Monday, the National Capital Commission and Senators announced they have reached a deal to build a new arena at LeBreton Flats near Downtown Ottawa. It comes with the perks of being on the light rail line and in a more central part of the city. 

But progress won’t come fast and there are still a lot more details to work out. We still don’t know much about what the 11-acre parcel sold for, but sources have told the Ottawa Citizen they believe the Senators have agreed to pay about $30 million. 

The new arena will cost an estimated $1.1 billion. A similar arena being built for the Calgary Flames has been priced at $1 billion. 

“We are pleased to reach an agreement of purchase and sale with the NCC to take the next step in this process. There are still many more hurdles to clear and we look forward to working with the NCC and other stakeholders to achieve our shared vision of creating an event centre at LeBreton Flats that can be enjoyed by our Ottawa-Gatineau community,” said Cyril Leeder, president and chief executive officer of the Ottawa Senators.  

Design work, further approvals, and a cleanup of the site are also needed before shovels can go into the ground. 

The NCC said the commitment for a major events centre near downtown would “provide a lively and convenient attraction for residents and visitors, inject new energy and excitement into the core of the Nation’s Capital and further catalyze the development of LeBreton Flats.” 

“This agreement builds on the two previous real estate transactions completed by the NCC since 2022 on the Building LeBreton project that will see over 2000 new housing units along with new retail and commercial spaces built on the site,” said NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum. 

The mixed reaction over a new arena site 

There will be pros and cons to a new downtown arena. Foot traffic will be increased in nearby neighbourhoods like Little Italy and Wellington West, but so too will real estate prices in the area, reported CBC. 

Still, the downtown BIAs expect it will mean a boost in business. On LinkedIn, Jacqueline Belsito, president of the Senators Community Foundation, expressed excitement over what fans can one day expect. 

“Imagine this: walking downtown on a crisp winter night, grabbing dinner, and then joining thousands of fans to watch your favourite team hit the ice,” wrote Belsito. “It will be a major economic driver, creating jobs, attracting tourism, and anchoring growth in the core. A new event centre and arena district will also host concerts, community events, and world-class entertainment, bringing new life, energy, and pride to our downtown.”

• Related: Can Ottawa sustain two sports and entertainment districts with the city also looking to build Lansdowne 2.0? The Ottawa Lookout did a deep dive to find out.

Questions are also starting to mount over what the current Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata could one day be used for when it’s no longer needed as an NHL hockey arena. Area councillor Allan Hubley has previously said it would make a good entertainment district or theme park. 

“Ottawa is over a million people, we could use a theme park in this area, it would be well supported. Picture a waterslide coming off the fourth level,” Hubley previously told CTV. 

Fans have also suggested it could be used as a casino or a concert venue. 

Whatever happens with the site, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has indicated it will need to benefit the business community in Kanata which will be negatively impacted when the Sens move out. 

Sutcliffe says he is excited for the team to be located downtown, but has indicated the city isn't intending to pick up any part of the bill.  

“I don’t think there is an appetite for public dollars to go into an NHL hockey arena. There are other priorities that we are working on right now to invest in public assets including recreation facilities, including Lansdowne Park, including roads, sidewalks and bike lanes,” Sutcliffe told CTV. 

For now, the Sens have indicated they plan to stay at their current arena for at least another four to six years.

Have some thoughts on this story? Want to share some insight with the Lookout community? Share your opinion in our Comment Corner and it could be featured in future newsletters.

THE OTTAWA NUMBER

7

🚗 That’s how many people local police charged with ‘stunt driving’ this weekend. Charges were laid against a teen driving his father’s car, a driver with their spouse and children in the vehicle, and several people driving more than 150km/h through work zones. Read more. [City News]

THE AGENDA

✂️ A new poll conducted by Leger on behalf of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation suggests that a majority of Canadians think the quality of federal public services has declined and cuts to the bureaucracy would be welcome. This comes after a report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says that proposed cuts by the federal government could result in a loss of 60,000 public service jobs over the next four years. Read more. [CTV]

🚆 This weekend, O-Train Line 1 will not run between Tremblay and Blair stations. Line 1 will operate between Tunney’s Pasture and Tremblay, and R1 service will operate between Hurdman and Blair stations. Read more. [x/Ottawacity]

🪖 An Ottawa man who served as an advisor to the Canadian military in Afghanistan is asking Canada to grant refugee status to his sister and nephew, who face retribution by the Taliban. His sister and nephew face deportation from Turkey back to Afghanistan, where her brother feels she and her son will be in danger from his work with the Canadian military. Read more. [Ottawa Citizen]

🏢 Residents of Nepean say they are frustrated that Prime Minister Mark Carney has yet to open a constituency office in his home riding. A statement from the PMO states they will “have more to share shortly.” Meanwhile, local councillors say they have also still not made contact with Carney or his team. Read more. [Ottawa Citizen]

🛍️ The Centretown BIA has announced it’s undergoing a “major boundary expansion” effective Jan. 1, 2026. It will add more than 300 new businesses across a broadened geographic area extending east and west of the BIA’s original footprint.

🌳 A final replanting plan has been created for Centennial Boulevard off Main Street. Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard said 25 crab apple trees will be planted and integrated with the existing trees. The commemorative orchard was first planted in 1967 as part of Canada’s 100th birthday celebrations, though many were lost due to disease. Read more. [Capital Ward Bulletin]

🌲 Speaking of trees, 500 of them will be planted at the former Convent grounds at 1754 St. Joseph Boulevard in Orléans. Coun. Laura Dudas, who represents Orleans West-Innes, said this will be the first of several plantings for the site, beginning near the ravine and expanding over time to help establish a new and vibrant tree canopy for the community. Read more. 

🚌 Flixbus has added a twice-daily trip between Ottawa and Gananoque. Tickets for the 1:45 direct trip from Ottawa are currently priced at around $25. Read more. [CTV]

🛻 A dump truck caused severe damage to several vehicles parked in front of homes in Barrhaven Tuesday morning, after the driver suffered a medical emergency — possibly due to the heat. The incident remains under investigation and six cars were impacted. Read more. [CTV]

HOME OF THE WEEK

A palace? For a split second, you might believe it is.

This place in the south of Ottawa is gorgeous, a 5,000 square foot home with five bedrooms and five bathrooms. With so much space, you’ll be able to entertain guests with your own wine closet, pool and massive outdoor space. 

Of course, luxury is pricey and this place is no exception…

House of The Week is a home selected by the Lookout team and is not a paid advertisement. All ads are labeled as such. If you’re a realtor who wishes to feature your home in our newsletter, please contact our sales team.

OTTAWA ARTS GUIDE

Performance

The NAC has a week full of events. Today, you can catch Tamar Ilana & Ventanas will perform Greek, Turkish and Bulgarian dance tunes at the Wood Terrace (for free). On Thursday,  the uOttawa Summer Strings Academy will perform at the Rossy Pavilion. And of course, Hamilton is performing all week long. 

If you like improv, then the Great North American TheatreSports Assembly on Friday at LabO is worth attending.

Over in Strathcona Park, you can catch Theatre Under the Stars’ performance, The Girl With No Hands, described as a darkly comic fantasy. 

And over in Prescott, you can catch their Shakespeare Festival from now until Aug. 16, with a show featuring a cabaret of pop music and Shakespearean text. A perfect medley of pop music with historical theatre! 

Movies 

Over at Bytowne, the 2025 Cat Video Fest is on tonight, Starship Troopers is on Friday and Saturday you can catch Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece High and Low (soon to be a semi-remake by Spike Lee).

Meanwhile, Mayfair Theatre has Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia and Punch-Drunk Love, and the less acclaimed My Mother’s Wedding.

Music

Lulu Lamontagne hits House of Targ on 13 August. Experience the Montreal artist's passion pop blending atmospheric synths with heartfelt lyrics and ethereal stage presence. Tickets $10 advance / $15 door.

Rabie Houti Band performs at Avant-Garde Bar on 13 August. Join the Algerian violinist's fusion journey, mixing traditional Arabo-Andalusian melodies with electric blues guitars and Afrobeat rhythms. Tickets $12.

Alex Tompkins Quartet plays Night Oat on 14 August. Catch the prominent Ottawa jazz guitarist performing traditional standards and original tunes influenced by funk and blues. Tickets $15.

John Wort Hannam performs at Red Bird on 14 August. See the Alberta troubadour and 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award winner deliver lyrically driven songs with rich vocals that tug at the heart. Tickets $33.

Rëa hosts her EP Release Party at Art House Cafe on 15 August. Experience the Ottawa dark pop artist's cinematic textures and haunting melodies exploring themes of grief and transformation. Tickets $15.

Listings for music shows are provided by OttawaGigs.ca, the best place to discover live music in Ottawa. Check out Ottawagigs.ca for full listings across the city.

SPORTS

A Manotick teen is Canada’s only nominee for the 2025 Sports Illustrated Youth Athlete of the Year Award

Ottawa’s Mackey Malak, a 17-year-old local jiu-jitsu student-athlete, is the lone Canadian among the final 20 in voting for the 2025 Sports Illustrated Youth Athlete of the Year Award. The award is given each year to the athlete who best exemplifies sportsmanship. 

Malak, who recently finished fourth in the Canadian U18 Jiu-Jitsu Championships in his first major tournament and fighting above his belt class, may be the perfect fit for what the award stands for. In addition to emerging as a world-class competitor, he spends countless hours teaching, coaching and mentoring kids at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu in Manotick. He is also a straight-A student and is heading into Grade 12.

The champion will appear in a 3BRAND advertisement in Sports Illustrated and receive $25,000 to set them up for a bright future. 3BRAND is a clothing line launched by NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, focusing on sports, music, and fashion while promoting a message of inspiration and philanthropy.

His focus, as much for the younger athletes he coaches as for himself, is on sportsmanship, leadership, respect and dedication.

Voting is now on for the top 15 in the contest. When the top 15 is announced on Thursday at 10 pm, voting for the top 10 will begin immediately. There will be elimination rounds until the 2025 Sports Illustrated Youth Athlete of the Year is selected.

According to Athlete of the Year, Sports Illustrated and the award’s partners are searching for “an exceptional young athlete who represents everything we love about sports: a dedication to greatness, fierce competition, and a commitment to their teammates and competitors alike.”

You can vote for Mackey Malak here. 

ON THIS DAY

August 13, 1968: Nepean Township councillors were “startled” to hear the cost of a new proposed school on Greenbank Road south of the CNR tracks and opposite Trend Village. 

• Councillors initially approved nearly $4.5 million for the Sir Robert Borden School, but then had to approve an additional $500,000 a year later. 

It was a booming time for Nepean, which was growing rapidly with new development. To meet the demand of young families, Bell High School opened in 1962 with a price tag of $2.3 million. Merivale High School opened two years later at a cost of $1.9 million. 

August 13, 1980: Ottawa’s planning board recommended group homes for people with disabilities, ex-offenders, and people with other social and physical problems could be built in any residential neighbourhood. 

Up until this point, group homes had been lumped in with boarding houses and, for the most part, could only be located in higher-density neighbourhoods. 

The Old Ottawa East Community Association said they were fine with the new homes as long as they could be well-informed on their locations and number of residents.  

A spokesperson for the Riverside Park Community Association said they were in support of the report, but was concerned over how they could be controlled if problems occurred. 

OTTAWA GUESSER

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Bike Ottawa has released a new app helping cyclists find safe, low-stress routes around the city. [CTV]

• The former Earl of Sussex Pub now houses the second location of neighbourhood favourite Pubwells. [Ottawa Citizen]

• Take a look at this vintage car, which has been riding around Stittsville. [Stittsville Central]

• Redditors are on the hunt for accessible dentist offices. Find one or contribute to the list here. [Reddit]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

IMAGE OF THE DAY

The sun and heat did not stop this family from taking a stroll through Neil Nesbitt Park in Barrhaven.