Recreation and leisure for older adults

As of September 22, 2021, you must present proof you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter an indoor recreation facility for most activities, as mandated by provincial regulations.

Required proof

• Proof you are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated means you have received two doses of a Health Canada approved vaccine at least 14 days prior. The following are accepted:
  • Electronic or hard copy of your vaccination receipt
  • Ontario enhanced vaccine certificate (QR code)
  • Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) vaccination booklet
  • Confirmation of vaccination issued by another jurisdiction
• Valid identification that shows name and date of birth and has been issued by an institution or public body. Photo identification is not required and the identification does not need to be government-issued.

Exceptions

• Age 11 and under
• Those with a documented medical exemption from a doctor or nurse practitioner.
• Youth between the ages of 12 and 17 participating in organized sports, including on ice sports, sport leagues, badminton, table tennis, tennis, ball hockey, martial arts, dance, basketball, swimming lessons, aquatic certification courses or volleyball. However, this youth age group will require proof of vaccination for recreational swims, public skating, use of a cardio and weight room or attending an activity or sporting event as a spectator.

City-operated seniors centres

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

Community-operated senior centres

Under Step Three, Recreation and Cultural Services will restart at select locations – with a new level of restrictions and measures in place. Access to most activities will require a reservation in advance.

Indoor recreation facilities and programs

The following activities will reopen with capacity limits:

• Indoor public and lane swims.
• Indoor Aquafitness programs.
• Learn-to-Swim programs with restrictions.
• Weight and cardio rooms at select facilities.
• Indoor sport activities at select facilities.
• Drop-in programs such as fitness classes, older adult fitness classes, and skating will start atselect facilities with capacity limits.
• Reservations for drop-in activities can be made on ottawa.ca.

The resumption of other recreation and cultural programming and activities – including its 2021 fall programming – will be announced in the coming weeks.

Facility rentals

Select indoor and outdoor rental spaces will be available with capacity limits. Please contact the facility directly for rental information.

• Halls
• Rooms
• Meeting spaces
• Pool
• Sports fields
• Rental space for team sports
• Arena and slab bookings. Please email sports@ottawa.ca for more details.

Cultural facilities and programs

Cultural facilities will gradually start to reopen over the next few weeks. While museums are open for outdoor activities, indoor self-guided tours with capacity limits will begin for the season over the next week. City-run galleries will begin to reopen on July 22, with restrictions and capacity limits in place.

More information will be announced in the coming weeks and months for all instructional programming and performing arts – including:

• Virtual courses from the Nepean Creative Centre, Nepean Visual Arts Centre and Shenkman Arts Centre. 
• Live performances at Meridian Theatres @Centrepointe and Shenkman Arts Centre, with limited audience capacity. Details on shows, dates and COVID-related measures will be announced at a later date. 

COVID-19 Cancellation credits and refunds

Visit the City News section for up to date information on service resumption.

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 $180.50 or $162.75 (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 activeliving@ottawa.ca or 613-580-3575.

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.

Summer 2021 virtual activities program registration begins: Wednesday, May 5 at 9 pm

• Virtual activities [ PDF - 480 KB ] 

Due to Provincial restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the City has temporarily closed its indoor recreation and cultural facilities and suspended drop-in and registered programs, except for essential services and virtual programs. Up to date information regarding closures can be found in the City news section.

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 Training 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: