DCDLS LeBreton Flats Proposal Details Leak

Thanks to the work of CFRA and the CBC, details regarding the DCDLS’ rival LeBreton Flats redevelopment proposal have leaked to the public in advance of the public consultations that will take place Tuesday and Wednesday at the Canadian War Museum.

Back in December at his ‘Melnyk Skate for Kids’ charitable event, Senators owner Eugene Melnyk commented on the possibility of some big name(s) being floated around the DCDLS bid.

“I didn’t know until somebody told me. It was a CTV tweet that somebody pointed out to me. I just don’t get it. It discredits them a bit because I’ve never met them. I don’t know them. There’s speculation (over) who just joined them. But, I don’t want to speculate but we’ve heard the name floated around, but again, it’s just not going to do it.”

Now we have those names.

Not only did these news agencies confirm that the rumoured Quebec billionaire André Desmarais involved, but also revealed that Cirque du Soleil’s co-founder and former CEO, Guy Laliberté, is also one of the principle players in DCDLS’ bid that already includes Broccolini and Canderel, Pomerleau and three architects: Richard Brisbin, Claude Provencher and Moriyama & Teshima.

Those are some pretty heavy hitters and with DCDLS already confirming that their redevelopment proposal will be entirely privately funded, their inclusion of a hockey arena in their bid has fuelled speculation that the group will looking to leverage their proposal against the Ottawa Senators’ Rendez Vous LeBreton Group in hopes of putting pressure on Melnyk to sell the club.

CBC picked up on this angle in a separate article this morning.

Melnyk has continually reiterated that he has no intention of ever selling the Ottawa Senators, but I think you’re fooling yourself if you believe that the Senators cannot be bought simply because Eugene Melnyk says he will not sell this team.

Once the groups present their proposals at this week’s public consultations and the gag order is lifted, grab the popcorn and enjoy the show.

Here are the other details regarding the DCDLS’ bid:

• Central library/National Archives building up to 200,000 square feet.
• NHL-style arena almost entirely underground (two storeys above ground).
• Automotive museum.
• ‘Brewseum’ beer museum sponsored by Molson Coors Brewing Company.
• YMCA.
• Farm Boy.
• Botanical garden/man-made beach.