Recreation and cultural programs

Programs must be paid for in full at the time of registration. Payment can be made by cheque, credit card, debit card or cash. Cheques are made payable to the City of Ottawa. Prepaid or reloadable credit cards, gift certificate, Visa Debit and Interac Online are not accepted at this time.

Waitlist

If a spot should become available due to another person cancelling or transferring out of the class, you will receive a call from staff. At that time you can decide whether to take or decline the spot. You may register in another class and on the chance your waitlisted course becomes available, you will be contacted to confirm if you wish to be transferred back to your original preference.

Incorrect age

Unfortunately the registration system will not allow you to register if you do not meet the required age at the start of the program. Contact your local recreational facility, Client Service Centre, or call 3-1-1.

Cancellations

Courses with insufficient registration will be cancelled. If a class or lesson is cancelled, every attempt will be made to re-schedule. If the class or lesson cannot be rescheduled, a refund will be issued.

Withdrawals and refunds

Withdrawals:

Withdrawals can be made:

• Online, up to seven days before course start date for a credit on your recreation account.
• At any recreation facility or Client Service Centre.

Refunds:

When requesting a refund, you must submit a completed Refund Request Form available at any recreation facility or Client Service Centre.

• Refunds can be issued only by cheque, credit card, or as a credit on your recreation account
  • With the City moving to a new registration, booking and payment system, we are asking you to request a refund when withdrawing from a course, rather than adding a new credit to your account.
  • Processing fees are being waived for a refund of credits that have been on your account for less than two years.
    • The $15 processing fee will still apply to a refund of credits on your account for more than two years.
  • If more than 50% of the course/membership has elapsed, no refund or credit on account will be offered.
  • ​There are no refunds or credits for private lessons.
  • For admission and goods purchases, refunds will be processed at the Facility with proof of purchase.

Returned cheque /declined credit card fee

A service fee will be charged after two declined credit card payments and on all cheques returned as Non Sufficient Funds (NSF), Stop Payment or Funds Not Cleared.

Credits on Account

Credits can be left on your account for two years. After which, refunds will be issued automatically and subject to a $15 processing fee.

Seniors’ discount

City of Ottawa residents who are 65 years of age and over will receive a discount of 10 per cent when registering for a City program. A proof of age is required.

Non-resident fee

Non-Ottawa residents will be charged an additional 25 per cent per person per program or membership.

Credit Card payments in excess of $5,000

Credit Card payments totalling $5,000 or greater (within a one month period) will be charged a fee of 1.99% as authorized by City of Ottawa By-law 2013-191. The City's Accounts Receivable Unit will issue a blue invoice monthly for these fees.

Medication administration

If the participant requires that City of Ottawa staff be responsible for storing, administering or supervising the administration of any medication, the participant or parent/guardian is required to sign a release waiver and submit it to the facility where the program is being offered. Contact the facility for additional information.

Severe allergies

It is the responsibility of the participant or parent/guardian to identify if there are severe allergies that require an auto-injector. The City of Ottawa attempts to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants with "allergen-safe zones and practices". Participants or parents/guardians are required to provide two auto-injectors and sign a release waiver to be submitted to the facility where the program is offered.