Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk calls the idea for a potential new arena in Lebreton Flats a “game-changer” and says if the team decides to craft a proposal, it’ll do so before Christmas.

Melnyk appeared at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday for his annual skate for kids. He spoke to media during the event about the interest in building a new arena, confirmed by Senators Sports and Entertainment last week.

He did not guarantee a proposal will be made, but maintained there’s interest.

"This impacts the city in a huge way; it impacts the organization in a huge way and we just need to clearly understand what we’re getting ourselves into because it is a long-term project,"​ Melnyk said.

The Canadian Tire Centre, as the Senators' arena is now called, first opened in 1996 as the Palladium. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) "It’s really a game-changer for us."

The National Capital Commission has launched a request for qualifications to redevelop a 9.3-hectare site just south of the Canadian War Museum and has been actively seeking an anchor tenant. Interested proponents are also being asked to provide an outlook for what they would do with an additional 12.3 hectares to the west of the parcels of land.

The deadline is Jan. 7, 2015.

Melnyk did say, if he does give the thumbs up for a new arena proposal, it would be completed before Christmas.

Canadian Tire Centre not built to last, Melnyk says

Last week, the Senators said an NHL arena could serve as an economic driver at the site, but only with "strong community support." The team currently plays at the Canadian Tire Centre, in the west-end community of Kanata.

"This building, believe it or not, was not built to last 30 to 40 years like people think. We spent a lot of money to keep this building looking the way it is, but … you have to build a new one eventually. I hope in my lifetime," Melnyk said.

The NCC is seeking proposals for two parcels (in red) and is also asking for ideas on two additional parcels of land (in yellow). (National Capital Commision) NCC chief executive officer Mark Kristmanson has called the Senators’ interest in Lebreton Flats "interesting."

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has also said the land’s proximity to transit makes the prospect of a new NHL arena exciting.

Melnyk said his team continues to review the idea.

"We want to do what’s right for the city, the fans, for the organization long term, and that’s the way I think. It’s long term. It’s not what happens next year or the year after, it’s what happens over the next 20 years from now," he said.