Ottawa Senators look to build new Sensplex for Gatineau Olympiques

The Ottawa Senators are revealing details about a new hockey arena complex they're hoping to get permission to build in Gatineau, Que., which would replace the Robert Guertin Arena.

The Senators and one other group have competing proposals before the City of Gatineau to build a much-needed new home for the Gatineau Olympiques, a major junior hockey team.

The city's current facility, the Robert Guertin Centre, is 60 years old and is set to be demolished in 2018.

Earlier this year the city voted strongly against a plan to use taxpayer dollars to build a new arena at a cost of about $75 million.

The Senators plan is to build a facility with four rinks: one with 4,000 seats for the Olympiques and three other ice surfaces for the community to use, much like its two Sensplex buildings in Ottawa's Kanata and Gloucester neighbourhoods.

The Gatineau centre would be owned and run by a not-for-profit organization, just as the Sensplex is, in order to keep costs as low as possible, said Senators president Cyril Leeder.

Possible sites include Plateau, east Gatineau

"We've been increasing our presence ... in Gatineau over the last few years and we've been trying to find a way to build a Sensplex model for about 18 months now. I've been talking on and off with various private people, with the community, with minor hockey, with the city, to make that work, and we think that's important for us," Leeder said.

"We certainly view Gatineau as an important part of our fan base. We've got a lot of fans coming to games, we've got a lot of fans watching our games on TV, and I think it's important for us to be seen to be active in giving back to our community."

They've proposed two sites — one in the Plateau area and the other in Gatineau's east end — but Leeder said the organization is open to any reasonable suggestions from the city.

Gatineau city council is expected to make a decision by Oct. 20.

"I just hope it's going to happen very soon," said Norm MacMillan, chairman of the Gatineau Olympiques board of governors.

"They have two years, but to build a new rink it takes two years and so you've got to start soon."