Melnyk Unveils Stadium Plans, Setting Up Battle With CFL Group

Senators Owner Outlines Plan To Bring MLS Franchise To Ottawa In 2011

Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk yesterday formally announced that he will bid for a MLS expansion franchise in 2011 and revealed plans for a proposed $100M, 30,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Kanata, Ontario, according to Richard Starnes of the OTTAWA CITIZEN. The stadium "would have seating on three sides, close to the action," and one end of the stadium "would be built as a stage for multi-purpose outdoor entertainment." Matt Rossetti, the architect for the proposed new stadium, said, “We can either remove that stage completely or make it retractable. It certainly could be rolled back to make room for football end zones and then rolled back for soccer.” Melnyk’s plan also “calls for five fields adjacent to the stadium to complete a soccer complex that could be used by the community and for pro team practice.” To fund the project, Melnyk “will be actively seeking financial support from federal and provincial governments, he will be talking to corporations for investment and he is already in preliminary discussions with the city about the land” (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 9/17). 

ONE OR THE OTHER? In Ottawa, Chris Stevenson writes with the announcement of the stadium plans, "we have a situation where we have battling bids to take stewardship of Ottawa's sports landscape for at least the next generation." A separate group of businessmen led by OHL Ottawa 67's Owner Jeff Hunt "have already secured a conditional CFL franchise," and they are expected to "reveal their vision for a new stadium with retail support on the downtown Lansdowne Park site before the end of the month." Melnyk's "bold play yesterday is a blatant broadside at the Hunt group, an attempt to cut them off at the pass." Yesterday's announcement "escalated what will now be an all-out battle for the hearts and minds of public and civic officials for which group and its plan is best for the future of Ottawa's sporting landscape" (OTTAWA SUN, 9/17). The GLOBE & MAIL's Sean Gordon writes Melnyk's pitch will "likely force municipal officials to choose between chipping in for a soccer stadium or a CFL park." A senior Ottawa municipal official said that it is "unlikely the city would support both an MLS team and a CFL franchise" (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/17).