The professional ice hockey team Ottawa Senators has revealed that it had signed a new partnership agreement with the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino. Under the 5-year deal, a Hard Rock-branded lounge is set to be established at the Ottawa-based multi-purpose indoor arena Canadian Tire Centre.
On Tuesday, the National Hockey League franchise officially revealed that the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino will soon be renovated in order to become part of the Hard Rock brand. It also announced that under the newly-signed partnership deal the facility will become the Ottawa Senators’ “official casino”. As such, the casino will host Senators-focused programming plus some shuttles to and from afternoon games.
The @ottawasenators are proud to introduce the Rideau Carleton Casino, future home of Hard Rock Casino Ottawa, as the Official Casino of the Ottawa Senatorshttps://t.co/ZUvwaPWhcL
*19 + |#playsmart pic.twitter.com/idOPL8p3gh
— Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino (@rideaucasino) October 9, 2018
As mentioned above, the two parties joined forces to create a new social space that is to be situated on the 100 level of the Canadian Tire Centre. Customers who are members of the Rideau Carleton Casino’s rewards program will also be offered tickets for Ottawa Senator’s matches, food and merchandise, including Sens Store items.
“The new partnership will help to shape and energize the fan experience at Canadian Tire Centre.” – Mark Bonneau, Corporate Strategy and Sales’ Senior vice-president at Ottawa Senators
New Entertainment Options for the Community Sought
The Hard Rock Club is planned to be located at section 119 of the indoor arena, with a new 1,500-square-foot lounge set to feature event space, a bar and music memorabilia.
As explained by the President of Hard Rock Ottawa, Craig Clark, the operator’s brand is aimed at creating a strong synergy within the communities where its properties are situated. According to the company, Ottawa Senators are much loved in the local community, which would be beneficial for the Hard Rock brand and its partnership with the ice hockey team. Mr. Clark shared that the partnership between the hockey team and Ottawa’s only casino would be a perfect match for both parties, not to mention that it would be beneficial for the overall entertainment experience of the community.
For the time being, the Rideau Carleton Casino is working in collaboration with Hard Rock International on a six-year project aimed at modernization of the casino and racetrack. The project is worth CA$318 million and involves an eight-story hotel, adding 20 more gambling tables and a 2,500-seat theatre. Mark Bonneau has also explained that the Rideau Carleton Casino has been aimed at creating excellent and unique opportunities in order to demonstrate its engagement with the community and its members.
Earlier in 2018, a special study of the upcoming development of the Hard Rock Ottawa’s economic impact on the region was prepared by Shore-Tanner and Associates, a consultant firm based in Ottawa. According to the report, the redeveloped casino could get revenue amounting to approximately CA$62 million from Gatineau’s Casino Lac-Leamy.
