Yesterday a mediator announced that there would be no extension given to RendezVous LeBreton Group to resolve their dispute and continue work on the proposal to build a new arena closer to downtown Ottawa. RendezVous includes Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and Trinity Development Group founder John Ruddy, who are currently embroiled in a lawsuit. Melnyk filed a $700MM lawsuit against Ruddy in November, who then filed a $1B counterclaim. Today, the National Capital Commission who controls the LeBreton Flats area announced that there will be no settlement in the dispute and will now hold a meeting on March 7th to finalize a new development process.
This is not a guaranteed death sentence for the project, but it certainly makes it more difficult for the Senators to get their long awaited downtown arena. The LeBreton area is much closer to the city center than where the team currently plays, some 30 minutes outside of Ottawa in Kanata, ON. The arena is difficult get to and has routinely been a cause for consternation for fans of the team.
Melnyk released a statement following the announcement:
We are devastated that our dream has been shattered. However, we will not let our vision die or allow our enthusiasm to be diminished by this ill-fated experience. More than ever, we are determined and committed to explore alternative approaches in central locations that could accommodate a world-class hub. We are here for the long term and want a world class venue where Ottawans will live, work, play and enjoy the best the city has to offer. The people of Ottawa deserve this.
It’s been a long, disappointing 18 months for the Senators, who have fallen from the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017 to a bottom feeder in the NHL. The team may very well finish last in the entire league this season and have just traded away their three top scoring forwards. It will be a long way back to the top, and somehow rejuvenating this development bid would be a huge step in the right direction. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen after today’s announcement.
That team can’t do anything right!
Please move to Quebec
the death blow is unfortunately coming. a pretty owner who cant admit his own financial shortcomings and does not want to relinquish control usually only means two things.
Team gets sold and moved to the highest bidder.
Team goes bankrupt and folds.
I imagine the second one the league would not let happen but the first one is possible.
Sad sight how this owner has completely ruined a franchise and alienated the city in under 2 years.
Team goes to the league and ends up becoming the Atlanta Senators
Atlanta? You’ve got to be joking. There will be no ‘strike 3’ for Atlanta. The league has learned that 2 strikes was enough. Quebec is much more likely.
The team probably will never leave. There’s buyers who would keep the team in Ottawa if the league were forced to oust Eug since he’s out of money. The league isn’t moving Ottawa, especially considering they’d be giving up on their expansion fees. And even if relocation is a threat, they aren’t moving them before the struggling sunbelt teams down south.
They should most of the fans have left. Realistically moving to Quebec would be the best bet. They would support a team better there. They organization has been a mess from drafting diagle to the mess up with not being able to get ahold of Alfie when he was in Sweden to the player movement and lack of organization success.One of those teams in the South has more talent then the sens by a landslide!!! Good to see you awoke from the trade deadline still in a fog Jd.
Good call chiblitz
Apparently talent on a roster equates to relocation or logic?
Just like the logic of not that apparent Duchene to Chicago move to be the number one center when they have Toews eh Jd. Not what I said Jd but good attempt at trying to twist my words. How did you like that waiting party for Stone in Las Vegas ? More action then a sens game. I’m sure the next game you go to will be in the Coke Zone so you can get your free Big Mac meal.
marner dont pick in daigle. For every daigle pick there is a Luca cereda
I love how you’ve brought up that Duchene didn’t go to Chicago for the like the fourth time now lol. I’m sorry he didn’t got to one of the like 12 teams where he realistically fit. And one that I didn’t even really expect anyways considering they weren’t clear buyers. God forbid a team picks up two number one center men for the playoffs. Please stop responding to my posts if you aren’t going to act like an adult Marner 16.
Good point however he was a late pick then diagle so not the point I was making
Cause you made a foolish call Jd. He never fit in Chicago you need a good optometrist to see that. He’s not a number two center on most teams. That’s a lack of depth at center If he’s a number 2! Wow really thats what you got and what do you for a living there mr mouth piece ???
True but i was talking about a number #1 pick compared to a #24 pick bit of a difference. Big difference .