Melnyk: Senators aren't concerned about funding their part of arena project

A Friday meeting offered the latest on the Senators' plan to build a new arena in downtown Ottawa.

While the get-together between team ownership and city officials largely focused on the site plan, zoning amendments, and the requirement of public consultation, it also served as the first major update on the file since January when the Senators reached a principle agreement to redevelop the LeBreton Flats neighborhood for a new arena.

The Senators and Trinity Development Group are continuing to work toward a master agreement with the National Capital Commission as part of their joint venture known as RendezVous LeBreton. That new phase in the project could take up to 18 months.

While an estimated cost for the project hasn't been revealed, Ottawa mayor Jim Watson already ruled out the possibility of using public funds.

"We want to be a willing partner," Watson told Jon Willing of the Ottawa Citizen on Friday. "They understand obviously that we don't have the funds to fund paying for an arena and they're fully appreciative of my position on that."

On the Senators' side, there's no concern about footing the bill.

"We are fully capable of funding our portion of what we need to accomplish and I think that as a team effort here that everything is required can get done," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk told Willing.

While the plan is for the Senators to move from Kanata to the city's downtown core, Melnyk said there shouldn't be any concern about the team's long-term future in the Canadian capital.

"The one thing that is constant always is we're here to stay in Ottawa for a very, very long time," Melnyk added. "We want to make sure the LeBreton project, if accomplished, is a success for many, many years, for our children's children, and that's the way we're looking at it."

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