No overtime in bid to salvage LeBreton deal, minister says

Eugene Melnyk and John Ruddy, the warring partners who won the bid to redevelop LeBreton Flats, will be given no extra time to iron out their differences, the minister responsible for the National Capital Commission confirmed Tuesday.

The deadline for mediation between the RendezVous LeBretonGroup partners falls Thursday, and will not be extended, according to Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez.

"I really hope the private partnersagreeon something and have a few days to do so, because it's animportant project for the region," Rodgrigueztold reporters on Parliament Hill.

• CBC Ottawa's coverage of theLeBretonFlats redevelopment

Melnyk, who ownsthe Ottawa Senators, andRuddy, executive chair of developer Trinity Group,entered into mediation in Januaryafter launching reciprocal lawsuitsworth hundreds of millions of dollars.

RendezVous had been chosen to embark onthe$4-billion redevelopment project, which would have brought an NHL arena and thousands of housing units to the largely vacant parcel of downtown land.

No extension on deadline to save LeBreton deal: heritage minister

6 years ago

Duration 0:20

Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez says there won't be second chances for Eugene Melnyk and John Ruddy, the warring partners who won the bid to redevelop LeBreton Flats. The deadline for mediation between the RendzeVous LeBreton Group partners is on Thursday, and will not be extended, he said.

Devcore Canderel DLS Group, the team that came second in the NCC competition, hasalso beeninvolved in the mediation.

The NCC board had already granted the partners one extensionafter formerOntario chief justice Warren Winkler requestedextra time.

"Now they have to come to an agreement. There's a few days left. No extension after that," Rodriguez said Tuesday.

Melnyk was spotted leaving Parliament Hill on Monday, but the minister's office said no one there had met with the Senators owner.