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Whether you love the idea or hate it, a new downtown arena is looking more and more like a live option for the development of LeBreton Flats with news that Senators Sports & Entertainment is “actively considering” the opportunity.

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It’s far from a done deal, though, and there are numerous implications to the move from Kanata to the city centre. Here are some of the issues and reaction from key players:

Process

If it wants to move to LeBreton Flats, Senators Sports and Entertainment will have to beat out a number of competing ideas for developing the 9.3-hectare site on the vacant federal lands.

In September, the National Capital Commission invited developers to submit “innovative proposals” for the site, centred on a “bold, new anchor institution.” Interest has been so keen that the NCC extended the deadline for developer submissions by a month to Jan. 7.

The NCC board will select a short list of candidates early next year. Those chosen will then have until August 2015 to submit detailed design and financial proposals. The recommended proposal will go to the NCC board in November 2015, with cabinet signoff in early 2016.