The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). As an NHL team, the Senators require access to a large parking facility near their home arena in order to accommodate fans attending home games. Deciding where to locate parking for an NHL team requires careful consideration of factors such as convenience for fans, traffic management, and integration with the surrounding community.
Where do the Senators currently play?
The Ottawa Senators currently play their home games at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The arena has a seating capacity of around 18,000 for hockey games. It first opened in 1996 as the Palladium and was known as the Corel Centre from 1996 to 2006 and Scotiabank Place from 2006 to 2013 before acquiring its current name. The arena is located in the western outskirts of Ottawa in the suburb of Kanata.
What are the existing parking options for Senators fans?
The Canadian Tire Centre has approximately 8,000 on-site parking spaces spread across multiple dedicated lots surrounding the arena. There are both paved and unpaved lots, with prices ranging from $20-$30 CAD for event parking. Access is from a number of different roads and controlled by attendants during peak times. In addition to the on-site parking, there are approximately 2,500 spaces in off-site lots located within walking distance of the arena. These include spaces at the Kanata Centrum shopping centre and other nearby businesses. For major events, shuttle buses are operated from more distant lots such as the Kanata Research Park.
What limitations are there with the current parking situation?
While there are ample parking spaces in the vicinity of the Canadian Tire Centre to accommodate typical Senators crowds, the current parking situation does have some limitations:
- Traffic congestion – The arena’s western suburban location and lack of direct rapid transit access means most fans drive and park for games, creating traffic bottlenecks.
- Pedestrian access – The spread out nature of existing lots means much of the parking is not within easy walking distance, requiring shuttles.
- Tailgating restrictions – The NCC prohibits tailgating parties in the main on-site lots.
- Minimal transit connectivity – No existing bus or rail links directly serve the arena site.
What factors need to be considered for new parking options?
When evaluating potential new parking sites or options for the Senators, some important factors to consider include:
- Proximity to arena – Parking needs to be as close as possible for convenience and to facilitate an ‘arena district’ environment.
- Space requirements – At minimum need to replace existing 8,000+ spaces, but capacity for future growth is desirable.
- Transit integration – Priority should be given to locations that could link with future LRT or bus rapid transit services.
- Tailgating allowance – Space for pre-game parties is in demand from fans.
- Pedestrian access – Safe, convenient routes for walking from parking to arena needed.
- Traffic management – Infrastructure to direct vehicles in and out efficiently required.
- Costs – Land acquisition, construction, maintenance and operating costs are considerations.
Balancing all these factors is crucial in selecting viable parking options.
What are possible locations for new Senators parking facilities?
Some potential locations and sites in Ottawa that could be considered for new dedicated parking facilities for the Senators include:
LeBreton Flats
This vacant area just west of downtown Ottawa has long been eyed as the potential home for a new arena and entertainment district. The NCC owns much of the undeveloped land and there are plans for an LRT stop. LeBreton Flats provides plenty of space for large parking facilities integrated into a Sens-focused district. However, the discussions around redevelopment plans for LeBreton have stalled in recent years amid disputes between partners.
Tunney’s Pasture
This federal government office complex in western Ottawa includes large surface parking lots that are underutilized during evenings and weekends. It already serves as a transit hub and will be an LRT station in the future. Approximately 5,000 parking spaces could potentially be made available for arena use on event days. However, lot access and traffic management in the busy employment area would need to be coordinated.
Bayview Station
This future LRT station northwest of downtown Ottawa is surrounded by undeveloped land that could accommodate parking facilities. Proximity to Highway 417 offers good vehicle access. But the distance from the arena (around 10km) means relying heavily on the LRT link for getting fans to games.
Confederation Heights
Undeveloped land is available in this area just east of the arena near the intersection of the Airport Parkway and Hunt Club Road. A new lot here could provide thousands of spaces within a short drive or shuttle run of the Canadian Tire Centre. LRT integration is difficult due to distance from planned lines.
Place d’Orléans Shopping Centre
This large retail complex 6km east of the arena has discussed partnering to offer game day parking with shuttle service. Thousands of spaces could be available on evenings and weekends utilizing the mall lots. However, shuttle operations would be required given the distance.
Location | Spaces | Transit Access | Distance to Arena | Tailgating Potential |
---|---|---|---|---|
LeBreton Flats | 10,000+ | Planned LRT stop | 2 km | Yes |
Tunney’s Pasture | 5,000 | Existing transit hub | 8 km | Limited |
Bayview Station | 5,000+ | Planned LRT stop | 10 km | Limited |
Confederation Heights | 5,000+ | No LRT access | 4 km | Yes |
Place d’Orléans | 5,000+ | Bus service | 6 km | Yes |
What are the best options for the Senators parking needs?
Based on the factors outlined earlier for an ideal parking solution, the top options are:
LeBreton Flats
If the arena development at LeBreton proceeds, this remains the best opportunity for large-scale, integrated parking facilities for the Senators. The site can accommodate over 10,000 spaces on NHL game days and also be utilized year-round by downtown office workers. Direct LRT access provides an option for fans to leave cars at home. The location enables creating a vibrant pre-game tailgating environment.
Confederation Heights
If LeBreton remains stalled, then Confederation Heights may offer the next best option relatively close to the arena. Thousands of surface parking spaces could be built on available land in the area to supplement existing lots. The highway access enables good traffic flow. Tailgating events could be incorporated into the parking design. The downside is the lack of rapid transit links to Confederation Heights.
Place d’Orléans
Utilizing existing parking lots at Place d’Orléans Shopping Centre is a cost-effective backup option. It provides needed capacity for growth in a location where tailgating events could be hosted. A robust shuttle bus operation would need to be implemented to transport fans to games reliably and efficiently.
Conclusion
In determining the best places to add parking capacity for Ottawa Senators fans, proximity to the arena, transit accessibility, tailgating allowances, pedestrian routes, traffic management and costs must all be weighed. LeBreton Flats remains the ideal future location if a new downtown arena proceeds there, while Confederation Heights and Place d’Orléans Shopping Centre provide viable alternative options to supplement existing parking supply around the suburban Canadian Tire Centre in the near term. Careful planning of parking facilities will be critical to ensure a positive game day experience for Sens fans.