NCC CEO says talks with Senators moving in right direction, but no timeline for shovels in the ground

"There is, I assure you, a lot of work underway and a lot of discussion between the two teams to advance the file," said NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum, seen in a file photo. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

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When that dream will become reality is anybody’s guess.

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While the arena project wasn’t on the agenda in either the public or private portion of Tuesday’s annual public board of directors meeting at the NCC’s headquarters on Elgin Street, chief executive officer Tobi Nussbaum told the Ottawa Citizen after the morning session that the talks are continuing.

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It has been more than 10 months since Senators owner Michael Andlauer and his partners agreed to purchase 11 acres of land from the NCC to build a new downtown arena, plus a surrounding ice district.

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The Citizen has reported that the Senators had agreed to pay $37 million for the land when the sale is complete. Since then, both sides have been working to try to get the land formally in the hands of the Senators.

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Nussbaum said on Tuesday talks are continuing and progress is being made.

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“There is nothing worrying about the fact that it wasn’t on the agenda,” said Nussbaum. “The meetings between the teams continue on a regular basis. Their work, on the Senators’ side, (is) on the due diligence portion of this agreement. We’re also talking to them about the decontamination plan.

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“So, there is, I assure you, a lot of work underway and a lot of discussion between the two teams to advance the file.”

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There is a lot of work taking place behind the scenes to finalize the purchase agreement with the NCC.

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Cyril Leeder, the club’s chief executive officer, predicted in an interview with the Citizen in January that it would take a calendar year to solve issues, which include decontaminating the site, working with Indigenous groups, designing the site and financing.

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At the same time, Nussbaum said, the Senators are in discussions with the City of Ottawa because it has to be part of the planning and development of the new arena and the surrounding areas.

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All these elements need to be addressed before the Senators can confirm a timeline for breaking ground.

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But decontamination is a significant issue because it will likely be an expensive and lengthy process. Leeder has stated that the cleanup could begin in conjunction with the start of the construction on the new arena.

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Leeder said that once the club puts shovels in the ground, the timeline to build a new rink is 34 months.

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“The timeline is something that the Senators control and will be the lead on,” Nussbaum said. “It’s a reassuring point that I want to make, that the conversations are continuing, and the meetings are happening on a regular basis.

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“And in terms of that exact next steps, in terms of getting to the puck drop, I really want to give the Senators a chance to be in control of that time frame and what they’re communicating.”

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Andlauer said earlier this month that the area will be more than just an arena.