Ottawa Senators sale a key factor in LeBreton Flats bid

You don't buy an NHL team if you don't havea rinkto play inor at least haveone in the worksand you don't build a rink without a team.

That's why Devcore Group, which includes architects, builders and developers, is believed to have recruited two of the wealthiest Canadians in their bid to redevelop LeBreton Flats, a valuable parcel of real estate just west of downtown Ottawa.

• LeBreton Flats bid opposing Senators backed by Quebec-basedbillionaires
• Ottawa Senators won't play at new arena built by competing bidder: Melnyk

There's every reason to believe the group will makean offer to buy the Ottawa Senators from Eugene Melnyk.

BillionaireAndr Desmarais,one ofCanada'srichest people, is backing the bid. Major players in the bidding process also sayGuy Lalibert is on board.

Desmarais is the son of the late Paul Desmarais, once the wealthiest man in Quebec, whose estate was worth about $5.6 billion US in 2015. Lalibertis a co-founder of Cirque du Soleil, andwas worth $2.1 billion US in 2015, according to Forbes.

Lalibert, who recently sold most of his shares in Cirque duSoleil, has been cast as a potential NHL owner for several years.

Desmarais, the chairman and CEO of Power Corporation in Montreal, was born in Ottawa and the family name is rooted in the capital. The University of Ottawa has a12-storey building on campusnamed in his father's honour.

Devcore Group also features Montreal developers Broccolini and Canderel, construction firm Pomerleau, plus three architects Richard Brisbin, Claude Provencher and Moriyama & Teshima.

Things said 'on the street':Devcorehead

The head ofDevcoreGroup, Jean-PierrePoulin, dodged the questionthis week when asked ifhis group hopes to buy the Senators fromMelnyk.

It's worth noting NCC rules dictate neither group can reveal details of their plans publicly or to a third party.

Poulinonlysaida lot of things are being said "on the street."

"The best is really, you know, to wait and come to see the presentation and what we were able to put together for those two days there,"Poulinsaid, referring to the two days of presentations to the NCC.

"I think it's going to be very exciting and we're really excited to see and to hear what everybody has to say about it."

Desmarais and Lalibert would bring the money necessary to not only redevelop LeBreton Flats at minimum 9.3 hectares and at most about 21 hectares but also buyan NHL team.

Melnyk publicly refuses to sell team

Melnyk and the Senators are the billionaires' only rivals for LeBreton Flats, running under the name Rendez Vous LeBreton Group. The extent of their development team has not been revealed, but reports have indicated Windmill Developments proponents of the adjacent Zibiproject and architect Barry Hobin areinvolved.

Melnyk has been steadfast, insistinghis Senators will not play at LeBreton Flats if DCDLS wins the right to redevelop the land, and he refusesto sell the team.

"The long and short of it is the team is not for sale, never will be in my lifetime, for sure.Number two: you can't come into my territory. What's a matter with you? Like, who is going to play there?"Melnyk told media last month.

Sens owner wants to be in control of team's arena

9 years ago

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Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said "there is not a chance" his team would play at a new arena at LeBreton Flats if it is built by a competing bidder.

Thisstatement is classic business strategy.Melnyk must know if heeven hints atselling the Senators, the value of the team will surely drop. He knows how to play thatgame.

On Tuesday, both groups will present their redevelopment plans to the National Capital Commission before the public catches a glimpse on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Some members of DCDLS have alreadybeen active in Ottawa. Some insiders have seen tentative though detailedplans, while a meeting is scheduled with Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson for Monday.

CBC News also learnedMelnykwas busy calling some Ottawa citycouncillorson Friday, but the purpose of those calls isn't known.

What is known, is there is no value in owning an NHL-style arena without an NHL franchise to play there.