Sens offer use of arena to provincial government amid pandemic

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The Ottawa Senators are offering the Canadian Tire Centre, its nine adjacent parking lots, and three other arenas affiliated with the organization to the Ontario government to use during the coronavirus pandemic, according to The Canadian Press.

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk approached the provincial government with the proposal this week and is awaiting a reply, a team spokesperson confirmed.

Melnyk's offer includes the use of 17 private suites in the Senators' home rink and roughly 200,000 square feet of usable space.

In March, Melnyk pledged to provide part-time and hourly arena staff members with the income they would have received for the remainder of the regular season prior to the league's coronavirus-induced hiatus.

Earlier this week, the Senators' ownership group announced temporary staff reductions effective April 5 - the day after what would have been the conclusion of the 2019-20 NHL schedule.

Six members of the organization, including five players, have tested positive for the coronavirus.

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