A recent poll found that Ottawa residents and Senators fans are "frustrated by a lack of information" about the development of the proposed LeBreton Flats arena, and are "starting to worry" that a new venue for the team will be delayed, according to Tom Spears of the OTTAWA SUN. The poll also found that there is "broad support" for the NHL to "become involved in the project to ensure it doesn't miss its proposed target of opening" in the fall of '23. The poll was conducted online with 600 Ottawa adults between Aug. 21-25 and was "commissioned by a subcommittee of the Ottawa Board of Trade called the Capital Build Task Force." Forty-two percent of those polled feel the LeBreton redevelopment is "behind schedule," while 22% feel it is "on schedule" and the rest are not sure. Up to 79% of people polled agreed with a statement saying if Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk "doesn't stop dragging his feet on the LeBreton project, the business community in Ottawa should rally together and do whatever necessary to get the project moving on time." The survey also found that of the people polled, 60% overall -- and 67% of those who say there are Senators fans -- agreed that the NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman "should 'get involved' with moving the project ahead 'if Eugene Melnyk continues to be a hurdle'" (OTTAWASUN.com, 9/19).
