City of Ottawa Recreation - Updates from Recreation, Culture and Facilities

 

With the Province of Ontario relaxing restrictions on Monday, January 31, the City will resume drop-in recreation and cultural activities at select locations with 50 per cent capacity levels.

Select facilities listed on ottawa.ca will open for drop-in activities at 50 per cent capacity starting on Monday. Access to most activities will require a reservation in advance and proof of vaccination will be required for everyone 12 years and older. Reservations for drop-in activities can be made under the "schedule" tab of the facility page beginning at 6 pm on Saturday, January 29.  

Many of the planned winter registered programs will be cancelled due to limited time remaining in the winter session and capacity restrictions. You will be contacted if your program has been cancelled and receive a refund. The following registered programs will still take place beginning Saturday, February 5:

• Advanced aquatic certification programs (modified schedule)
• Outdoor programs at Mooney's Bay Ski Centre at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility
• Learn to Skate programs
• Hockey programs
• 4-on-4 for ages 7-12
• 50+ Game Play
• Night Adult Game Play
• Ray Friel Hockey League
• Instructional powerskating.

• Nepean Visual Arts Centre programs
• Inclusive Recreation programs, including Social Recreation
• Seniors Centres programming
• "I Love To" programs
• Modified rural program offerings (check the guide for availability in your community)
• Virtual programs
• Before and After school programs
• March Break camps will be offered with registration opening February 16 at 9 pm.

These programs will run as staff availability permits. It’s a good idea to check for cancellations before heading to your program.

City of Ottawa - Accessibility spotlight - January 2022

 

Booking for 4th Dose Vaccine Appointments and Accessibility Supports

Ontarians who are immunocompromised are now able to book an appointment for their fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine through the Provincial booking system, provided 84 days have passed since their third dose. Anyone who’s received a transplant or taking immune suppressant medication is eligible. For more information, as well as the full list of eligible medication, please read consult the Ottawa Public Health website. Third doses for all adults, as well as first and second doses for anyone 5 years of age and older are still offered via appointment or drop-in basis at all community clinics. Ottawa Public Health will post information on wait times on their social media accounts, as necessary. Twitter @OttawaHealth, Facebook: Ottawa Public Health As of January 21, after-school clinics will be running for anyone 5 years of age and up. Please visit the list of clinic locations and schedules for more information. Accessibility supports and information can be found on the Ottawa Public Health Website under "Are the vaccination Clinics Accessible?" Those who require other accommodations are encouraged to book in advance and complete the accommodations request form at least 48 hours prior to their appointment. Additionally, Ottawa Public Health has provided some updated information regarding masks and face coverings. Please visit their website under "About masks and face coverings" to review the guidelines.

Notice of Special Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting

Please note there will be a special Accessibility Advisory meeting held on Tuesday February 1, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the updates around the City’s of Ottawa e-scooter pilot project. Anyone wishing to attend can do so via this link through Zoom. To learn more about the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee and the work they do, please visit Ottawa.ca.

Robinson Field Multi-Use Pathway Survey

The City of Ottawa wants to hear from you about upgrades planned for the multi-use pathways around Robinson Field, located in the neighbourhood of Sandy Hill. We are asking residents to fill out a short survey to determine the number of rest areas to include along this pathway. The survey is available on Engage Ottawa from January 25 until February 18 and is available in both English and French.

Swims for Persons with a Disability

While most drop-in recreation programs are temporarily suspended due to the latest provincial restrictions, you can still reserve a spot for Swim for Persons with Disabilities at either the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex in Orleans or the Nepean Sportsplex. Under the current restrictions, these facilities are open solely for the purpose of allowing use of the facility by persons of all ages with a disability, within the meaning of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.  Clients are required to provide written documentation upon check-in at the facility, indicating the requirement for physical therapy in a swimming pool from a regulated health professional to be granted admission.  Proof of vaccination is also required.  Residents wishing to participate can make a reservation online for the location of their choice at Bob MacQuarrie or Nepean Sportsplex. Regular swim admission fees apply.

Service Animal Registration

You may know that the City of Ottawa requires that cat or dog owners register their pets, but did you also know that service animals are required to be registered as well? Registration ensures the City has the necessary information to help reunite you with your animal if it becomes lost. Registrations can be done online at My Service Ottawa or by calling 3-1-1, 613 580-2400 for Video Relay Service, or 613 580-2401 for TTY. Fees vary for different pets, but service animal registration is provided free of charge. Register or renew your animal today and receive a $25 online coupon for Ren’s Pets stores. More information is available on Ottawa.ca.

Service Animal Cards No Longer Required on OC Transpo

Service animals are welcome on board all OC Transpo vehicles.   Customers can identify their service animals with any of the following: A vest, harness, or other visual indicator that clearly identifies the animal as a service animal A letter from a regulated health professional confirming they require the animal for reasons relating to a disability Other forms of identification, such as a guide dog identification card from the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney-General or identification from a registered service animal training school As of December 2021, Service Animal Cards are no longer required or being issued by OC Transpo for the identification of service animals. This change simplifies requirements for its customers, and better aligns OC Transpo with transit agencies across the province and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Customers who already carry Service Animal Cards can continue to use them until they expire or use the other forms of identification listed above. For more information about service animals on OC Transpo, please visit the OC Transpo website.

No-charge fares for children 7 and under on OC Transpo and Para Transpo

On December 8, 2021, City Council approved a motion to introduce a one-year pilot project in 2022 to raise the age for no-charge transit to children 7 years old and under, when accompanied by an adult. On January 1, 2022, this project took effect and includes travel on OC Transpo, including conventional bus and LRT, and Para Transpo.  If successful, this program may be extended, subject to Council approval. For children who look older than 7 years old or travel frequently with an adult, Child Cards are available at the Rideau Centre Customer Service Centre.  A Child Card is a free smart card designed and intended for use by a child 7 years old and under that can be tapped when going through a fare gate or shown to a bus operator.  For more information, please visit the OC Transpo website.

City of Ottawa Recreation - After the storm

 

Sledding hills

With fresh snow on the ground the City has lifted the "no sledding advisory" for sanctioned sledding hills. A reminder that everyone should take safety precautions, including observing hill conditions and wearing a CSA-certified helmet. Sled only at hills designated for sledding. While other hills and large snowbanks are enticing to sledders, they possess hazards that could cause injuries. In addition, some non-sanctioned hills may have protective measures, but these do not make them safe sledding areas. The City has a list of its sanctioned sledding hills on ottawa.ca. Always pay attention to the conditions on the hill.  Packed snow, precipitation and fluctuations in temperature can create icy conditions on the hill, resulting in increased speeds and reduced ability to control and stop your sled safely. Sledding is a high-risk activity. Sled at your own risk.

Young at Art applications are now open

It’s that time of year where young artists from around the city submit their artwork for the chance to be part of the Young at Art exhibitions. Artists are split in to two age groups, juniors aged 12 to 15, and seniors aged 16 to 19. Both can apply in a number of categories including painting, drawing, three-dimensional, photography, mixed media, and other media. Applications close March 28, 2022. Visit ottawa.ca/youngatart for more information.

Doors Open Ottawa

This year is the 20th anniversary of Door Open Ottawa and we are so excited to announce that this popular event has been nominated for a Faces Magazine Award for Favourite Spring Attraction. Thanks to those who nominated us and for those who are voting. Take a look at Facesmag.ca/awards and vote today!

Ottawa Public Library branches closed Monday, January 17, 2022 due to winter storm

All branches of Ottawa Public Library (OPL) will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2022, due to the winter storm expected to start overnight.

Environment Canada has identified hazardous weather for tomorrow and the City of Ottawa has declared a Significant Weather Event.    

The weather-related closure tomorrow also means that all OPL Bookmobile stops will be cancelled as will deliveries by the Library’s Homebound services.   

Expiry dates for holds items will be extended accordingly.  

OPL book drops to return Library items will remain open.   

OPL’s phone and online service centre,InfoService, will remain open from 10 am to 6 pm to serve and help customers with their Library accounts or to support any customer who may have questions about accessing OPL’s large digital collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, databases and online learning, movie streaming, and more: 613 580 2940, InfoService@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca.  

A wide range of recorded programs is available for all ages on the Library’s YouTube channel:Ottawa Public Library / Biblio publique d'Ottawa - YouTube. 
 
For the latest updates about current service levels at OPL, please visit our website  https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/current-branch-services. 
 
Thank you for your patience and support, 

The Ottawa Public Library

City of Ottawa - Significant Weather Event declared, parking ban to be in effect from 7 pm Monday to 7 pm Tuesday

Environment Canada has identified hazardous weather for tomorrow, January 17. As a result, the City of Ottawa has declared a Significant Weather Event. The Roads and Parking Services team will be out maintaining the City’s sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network, but will take longer than usual to restore them to regular conditions.

Please exercise caution when using City sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network.

A Parking Ban will be in effect from Monday, January 17 at 7 pm to Tuesday, January 18 at 7 pm to allow teams time to make multiple passes required to clear the large amounts of snow.

During a winter weather parking ban, parking is prohibited on city streets so crews can plow easily and effectively. Vehicles parked on the street during a ban may be ticketed and towed. Though on-street monthly parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction when they are parked in residential parking permit zones, we encourage those who can to find off-street parking options to avoid getting snowed-in.

Available parking

During winter weather parking bans, residents will have access to select OC Transpo park and rides as well as certain recreation centres. Visit ottawa.ca/winter for more information about which City facilities are available during winter weather parking bans.

Commercial main streets

To help residents shop local, some commercial main streets are exempt from winter parking bans. When a parking ban is called during winter weather events, residents can park in the identified areas (view maps), while observing all posted signage and pay and display requirements.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter @ottawacity to receive updates or subscribe to our electronic email alerts. If you subscribe to e-Alerts, you will receive notification if a winter weather parking ban is put in place and lifted. There is no charge for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up today at ottawa.ca.

Residents can also download the City of Ottawa app on their Android or Apple device to receive up-to-date information on winter parking bans and other City news.

For more winter parking information, please visit ottawa.ca/winter.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.