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Proposals for redeveloping LeBreton Flats need to show more imagination than building a hockey arena, says the city councillor who represents the ward.

“We asked the (private) sector to come back and give us their best to create vision for the last big piece of public land in downtown Ottawa, the capital of Canada. And you get to choose between two hockey arenas. It’s hugely disappointing,” said Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney.

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“We have a blank slate. Let’s do something exciting.”

Four development teams were shortlisted by the NCC last February to present ideas, but only two submitted final proposals: Rendez Vous LeBreton, which includes Senators Sports & Entertainment, and DCDLS Group, formerly Devcore Group. Both proposals offer an NHL-calibre arena as their centrepiece.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday after meeting with area Liberal MPs, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said he was ” hoping there would be the four bidders. It would give different visions for what LeBreton would look like.”