Hurdles remain, but Melnyk ‘more confident than ever’ in LeBreton Flats development
Posted Aug 10, 2018 06:53:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Although the owner of the Ottawa Senators is confident about a development moving forward at LeBreton Flats, he said there are still hurdles.
Eugene Melnyk met with Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and local developer John Ruddy of Trinity Group, Friday morning.
“We are fully capable of funding our portion of what we need to accomplish,” said Melnyk after their meeting. “I think that as a team effort, everything that's required can get done.”
But when it comes to those hurdles, the NHL franchise owner did not expand.
“We look at [the hurdles] as challenges as opposed to obstacles,” he added. “With the mayor's leadership here, I have more confidence today than ever. So, I'm very confident that this will go forward.”
Meanwhile Watson called the 90 minute meeting very productive.
“We had a good discussion on timelines, and the need to ensure that we respect those timelines so we can have shovels in the ground as quickly as possible,” said the mayor.
Watson called the LeBreton Flats project one of the most exciting in the history of the City of Ottawa. He added that it will be a “game-changer” and “city-building exercise” for the community. He believes it will go a long way in helping the Senators, as well as providing housing, retail and green space opportunities in and around LeBreton Flats.
