It went down to the deadline, but the NHL's Ottawa Senators have an agreement to build a new arena downtown in Canada's capital.
The Senators and the National Capital Commission announced an agreement at a joint news conference Friday that would see the Senators purchase a 10-acre plot at the downtown LeBreton Flats site for the development of a multipurpose facility, including an arena.
The team had entered a memorandum of understanding with the NCC to develop the area, with a deadline of Friday to reach a deal. The price tag for the agreement has not been revealed.
The Senators said they cleared a couple of hurdles by being granted the ability to purchase rather than lease the land and get more than the six acres initially offered by the NCC. [ESPN]
The City of Ontario, The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), and the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) announced the official name of their groundbreaking multi-use sports complex: The Ontario Sports Empire. Set to open in fall 2026, the complex is positioned to become the premier venue for major regional and national tournaments, elevating Ontario as a key sports destination in the United States.
With 190 acres of top-tier athletic facilities, including 20 long fields, 14 youth diamond fields, 8 full-size diamonds, 4 football/rugby fields and 2 championship baseball fields, the Ontario Sports Empire will be the largest sports complex of its kind west of the Rocky Mountains.
“The Ontario Sports Empire will bring new jobs, boost tourism, and create lasting opportunities for our local businesses,” said Paul Leon, Mayor of Ontario. “This project represents a key part of Ontario’s future as a regional hub for commerce, recreation, and culture.” [PR Underground]
The Prairie School District’s athletic teams will no longer have to practice and play in the dirt as a project to build a new sports complex nears completion.
In the New Raymer area, poor water quality has impacted the ability to grow grass in the Prairie School District, resulting in sports like track, baseball and football transpiring on dirt land, according to school counselor Danielle Ramseier.
Ramseier said the board of education, with support from the community, used funding in the district’s savings to move forward with a new space to eliminate sporting setbacks caused by poor conditions.[The Greeley Tribune]
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