Recreation and leisure for older adults

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic all recreation and cultural facilities, including recreation complexes, community centres, arenas, swimming pools, theatres and museums are closed until further notice. The City is undergoing a phased reopening of services and programs impacted by COVID-19.

Indoor and outdoor facility rentals

• The City has cancelled all existing indoor rental agreements for the month of July.
• The City will consider rentals of indoor space for up to 10 people on a case-by-case basis.

City facilities

• Effective June 18 and as part of the Province of Ontario framework for re-opening the Terry Fox Athletic Facility will open with limited access for recognized organizations and athletes affiliated at the National and Provincial level for track and field only. The facility will remain closed for all other services.
• City programs, including fitness classes, are cancelled until further notice.
  • More information regarding credits and refunds.
• Performances at Shenkman Arts Centre are suspended. Customers will be contacted regarding refunds and exchanges.
  • More information regarding performances at Shenkman Arts Centre.
• Performances at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe are suspended. Customers will be contacted regarding refunds and exchanges.
  • More information regarding performances at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe.

Arena rentals

All existing arena bookings from July 1 to August 31 have been cancelled. However, the following businesses and organizations may rebook ice time at select arenas for training amateur or professional hockey and figure skating athletes, or to run amateur or professional athletic competitions, in groups of 10 or less - adhering to Provincial gathering restrictions.

• A national sport organization funded by Sport Canada or a member club of such an organization;
• A provincial sport or multi-sport organization recognized by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture or a member club of such an organization;
• A professional sport league or a member club of such a league.
• A business or organization using the ice time to train amateur or professional athletes or to run amateur or professional athletic competitions.

Due to demand, the City is reopening some ice pads in July. The City has issued an invitation to all current permit holders to reapply for available July ice time. Only organizations that meet the requirements will be considered. Bookings will only be accepted by phone and email.

Teams must have:

• Valid insurance
• An attendance roster
• Permission from a governing body

Fitness memberships

All City of Ottawa fitness memberships expiring in the month of July will be cancelled and clients will receive a prorated refund. Memberships expiring after July 31 will be re-evaluated at a later time. 

The City of Ottawa is undergoing a phased reopening of services and programs impacted by COVID-19. Learn more about Ottawa’s reopening plan and new safety measures.

City-operated seniors centres

• Churchill Seniors Centre
• Heron Seniors Centre
• Kanata Seniors Centre
• Nepean Seniors Recreation Centre

Community-operated senior centres

COVID-19 Cancellation credits and refunds

Outdoor recreation for Adults 50+

The Active Living Club promotes outdoor activities in a group setting for older adults aged 50+ and seniors. Activities include cycling, hiking in spring, summer and fall. In the winter, we offer snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Our leaders will take you all over the Ottawa and Gatineau area to enjoy the trails, pathways, and landscape our region has to offer. Please note, this program is not an instructional program and participants must provide their own transportation to the starting locations. Schedules are e-mailed to the participants after registration. End times vary. Active Living Club Annual Membership has its privileges!

Membership

Access to all seasonal activities, including Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter activities within a one-year cycle for $172.50 or $155.50 (65+). Register at City of Ottawa Recreation facilities and then participate in any of the individual activities at no extra cost! For more info please contact us at terryfoxathletic@ottawa.ca or 613-247-4883.

Cross Country Ski

Cross country skiing excursions on various trails throughout the City of Ottawa and Gatineau Park consisting of Tuesday level 2 and Thursday level 1 outings.

Cycling

City wide cycling excursions lead by certified leaders consisting of Tuesday level 3 and Thursday level 1 or 2 rides.

Hiking

Hiking excursions on various trails throughout the City of Ottawa and Gatineau Park consisting of Monday level 2, Wednesday level 1, and Friday level 3 hikes.

Try It ALC

Free trial memberships! Join the Active Living Club for a week at no cost. (At predetermined times a year)

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing excursions on various trails throughout the City of Ottawa and Gatineau Park.

All recreation and cultural facilities, including recreation complexes, community centres, arenas, swimming pools, theatres and museums will be closed, until further notice.

Later this month, the City of Ottawa will begin a phased reopening of services and programs impacted by COVID-19. More details will be provided as services resume. Learn more about Ottawa’s reopening plan and new safety measures.

Recreation eGuides

Spring and summer 2020

• 50+ adults [ PDF - 2.08 MB ]

Printed guides

As part of the City of Ottawa Older Adult Plan residents can pick up a printed copy of the Older Adult Activity Guide. The Fall-Winter guide is now available at Churchill, Heron, Kanata and Nepean senior centres as well as recreation centres, client service centres, and libraries, listed below.

Facility locations:

• Albion-Heatherington Recreation Centre
• Alexander Community Centre
• Beacon Hill North
• Bellevue Community Centre
• Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex-Orléans
• Brewer Pool
• Canterbury Community Centre
• Carleton Heights Community Centre
• Champagne Pool
• Churchill Seniors Centre
• Cyrville Community Centre
• Dempsey Community Centre
• Eva James Community Centre
• Fisher Park
• Foster Farm Community Centre
• Glebe Community Centre
• CARDELREC Recreation Complex Goulbourn
• Greenboro Community Centre
• Heron Road Community Centre
• Hintonburg Community Centre
• Hunt Club - Riverside Park Community Centre
• Jack Purcell Community Centre
• Jim Durrell Recreation Centre
• Kanata Leisure Centre
• Kanata Recreation Complex
• Kanata Senior Centre
• McNabb Recreation Centre
• Michele Heights Community Centre
• Nepean Seniors Centre
• Nepean Sportsplex
• Old Town Hall Community Centre
• Osgoode / Rideau
• Overbrook Community Centre
• Pinecrest Recreation Complex
• Plant Recreation Centre
• Ray Friel Recreation Complex
• Richcraft Recreation Complex-Kanata
• Richelieu Vanier Community Centre
• Rideauview  Community Centre
• Rockcliffe Park
• Ron Kolbus Lakeside
• Routhier Community Centre
• Sandy Hill Community Centre
• Sawmill Creek Pool
• South Fallingbrook Community Centre
• Splash Wave Pool
• St-Laurent Complex
• Terry Fox Athletic Facility
• Walter Baker Sports Complex

Client service centre locations:

• Ben Franklin Place (101 Centrepointe Dr.)
• City Hall (110 Laurier Ave W)
• Kanata (580 Terry Fox Dr.)
• Metcalfe (8243 Victoria St.)
• North Gower (2155 Roger Stevens Dr.)
• Orleans (255 Centrum Blvd.)

All recreation and cultural facilities, including recreation complexes, community centers, arenas, swimming pools, theatres and museums are closed until further notice.

Later this month, the City of Ottawa will begin a phased reopening of services and programs impacted by COVID-19. More details will be provided as services resume. Learn more about Ottawa’s reopening plan and new safety measures.

As easy as 1-2-3!

The Step with Confidence Program Series answers the questions: where do I start, which program or class is right for me and where do I go next?

Programs and classes are sorted into 3 steps or “levels” that progressively increase in intensity, resistance and cardiovascular requirements.

These steps offer something suitable for every level of adults 50+!

Step 1

These programs and classes are offered at a lesser intensity

• Strength and Balance Older Adult - Lite
• Stretch and Strength Older Adult - Lite (Heart Wise Exercise)
• Stretch Older Adult
• Cardio and Strength Older Adult (Heart Wise Exercise)
• Aqua General - Lite

Step 2

These programs and classes offer a variety of lower intensity to moderate intensity challenges

• Balance and Stability Older Adult (Heart Wise Exercise)
• Strength Traning Older Adult (small group)
• Stretch and Strength 50+
• Cardio Older Adult - Lite
• Yoga Older Adult - Lite
• Pilates Older Adult - Lite

Step 3

These programs are not considered for beginners but those looking to improve their existing level of fitness

• Pilates Older Adult
• Nordic Walking Older Adult
• Yoga Older Adult (Heart Wise Exercise)
• Party On Older Adult
• Total Muscle Conditioning (TMC) Older Adult
• Zumba Gold Older Adult

Sign up to receive information of interest to older adults.

Program listing

From storytime to knitting, business to crafts and even eReader and computer basics support sessions, the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) offers lots of activities for the members of your family at its 33 branches.

View Ottawa Public Library programs offered in French.

Attending a program

Programs are free to attend but most require online registration. Each person must register with their own Library card number. Don’t have a Library card? Some programs don’t require registration, please just drop in!

Special needs

Should you or your child require special needs assistance, contact the Accessibility Services to make arrangements before the program starts.

Early literacy programs

Most branches offer one or multiple of OPL’s early literacy programs:

• Babytime (0-17 months)
• Toddlertime (18-35 months)
• Storytime (3-6 years)
• Family Storytime (All ages)
• Evening Storytime (All ages)

They are all based on the Every Child Ready to Read approach that is used in public library systems across North America and was developed by the American Library Association to help parents and caregivers, learn about activities that will get children ready to read.

Teen Programs and Advisory Groups

Search the program listing by audience for a listing of teen programs. From book clubs to homework clubs, mocktails to animé, they’re yours to discover!

OPL relies on the expertise of youth between the ages of 14 and 18 to better serve local teens. Teens volunteers to take part in their local Teen Advisory Group to actively participate in choosing, planning, implementing and promoting Library offerings to teens all over the city. And they have fun doing it!

Adult programs

Whether you’re interested in chatting about your latest read, or want to learn about your family tree, OPL offers programs for fun and learning. New to computers? We’ll teach you the basics! Need to get your knit fix? Come on by! We also have programs specifically for adults 50+. Got an eReader and need assistance to use it?

Neighbourhood recreation partners and community organizations also offer a variety of recreation programs and services.

Registration dates and procedures are different from City programs. Contact the facilities directly for more information.

The "Community organization listing" provides residents of Ottawa with up-to-date contacts and information about local sports, recreation and cultural organizations.

Does your organization qualify?

You must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

• A partner/affiliate of the Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services branch, City of Ottawa, or, a not-for-profit organization
• A community-based organization
• An organization that has the sole purpose of providing a variety of leisure programs, activities and/or services that are recreational, instructional and/or cultural in nature
• An organization which provides programs and/or services which benefit the residents of Ottawa

If your organization meets the eligibility criteria, please complete the online form to list or update information on your community organization.

Neighbourhood recreation partners: