Sports and fitness

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Free fitness pass - Try It

Visit a participating facility to sign up for a free Try It fitness pass. No appointment needed. Your free pass gives you three visits to participating facilities.

Access

  • Weight and cardio rooms
  • Squash and racquetball courts
  • Aquafitness classes
  • Indoor cycling classes
  • Public skating sessions
  • Group fitness classes

Details

  • Passes begin on your first day of use and must be used within 30 days.
  • Passes can only be used at participating locations.
  • Users must not have been a member of the City of Ottawa fitness within the past six months.
  • Users must be 13 years or older. 

Participating facilities

Sledding

Sledding hills are closed for the season and protective measures have been removed.

Reduce the risk of injury

Before sledding, always be sure to assess the weather and physical conditions of the hill to ensure it is safe for use. Avoid sledding when conditions are icy or hazards are present.

To reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others, practice the following:

  • Protect your brain – wear a ski/snowboard or hockey helmet with the recommended safety certification.
  • Sled only at the approved hills listed below. The City conducts assessments to determine whether each hill meets an acceptable risk level to be approved for sledding.
  • Avoid icy conditions and monitor upcoming weather before sledding.
  • Avoid sledding headfirst or on your back. Sit or kneel on your sled.
  • Watch for hazards, like other sledders, icy areas, trees, rocks, fences and rivers.
  • Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • Sled during daylight. If you sled at night make sure the hill is well lit.
  • Choose a sled that is easy to control, avoid inner tubes and plastic discs.
  • Keep your hands, arms and legs inside the sled to prevent injury.
  • Alert (shout) if you observe another slider headed for danger.
  • Keep a safe distance (15 m) from the sled ahead of you.
  • Walk up the side of the hill, not the middle.
  • Do not leave sleds or other obstacles on the hill.
  • Construction of snow jumps and other obstacles is not permitted.

 

If dangerous conditions exist, report them to the City of Ottawa’s 24-hour Call Centre. Dial 3-1-1. 

Assumption of risk 

  • Sledding is a high-risk activity. Sled at your own risk. 
  • The City of Ottawa does not accept responsibility for related risks or injuries.  
  • Call 9-1-1 if emergency assistance is required. 

Sledding hill locations

The interactive map and table below displays the locations of the City's approved sledding hills. Sledding is only permitted on City property at the locations listed below. These locations have had risk assessments completed, protective measures installed to mitigate risks and are the only hills identified as reasonably safe for sledding.  

The number of sledding hills listed in the table will expand or contract as you zoom in, zoom out or pan the map view. Navigate to an area of interest by searching for a park name, address, intersection, street segment or city facility in the “Find address or place” search box. Click on a sledding hill for more information about that location. Sledding hill information is also available in the City’s Open Data Catalogue.

Cross-country skiing

The Mooney's Bay Ski Centre at Terry Fox Athletic Facility has everything for cross-country skiers. You can enjoy 5 km of groomed and well-lit trails.

Ski centre features

  • 5 km of groomed trails for both classic and skate (freestyle) skiing techniques
  • Lit trails for night skiing
  • Free parking
  • Indoor change rooms and washrooms
  • Ski school
  • Ski tuck shop
  • Free use of indoor wax benches and waxing irons (subject to availability)
  • Free information on equipment, clothing, waxing, trails and related services
  • Rentals by Lafleur de la Capital: 613-298-3775

2025 Fees

Fees shown do not include HST. Applicable taxes will be added during the payment process.

  • $3.57 per day
  • Adult season pass: $38.56
  • Child, youth, and senior season pass: $35.46
Trail conditions 

Mooney’s Bay Cross Country Ski Conditions.

Lessons

The cross-country ski school in Mooney's Bay Park usually offers lessons daily with convenient day and evening options. Lessons are usually one hour long. Available January through March.

Private lessons

Semi-private or small group lessons

  • Special group packages are available.
  • All group members must pay at the same time to receive the discounted rate.
Lesson fees 2024

Fees shown do not include HST. Applicable taxes will be added during the payment process.

  • Customized one-on-one lesson: $82.57
  • Semi-private lesson with a friend or family members: $63.84 per person 
  • Small group (five people maximum): $145.03 

Cycling education programs

Become more comfortable and confident on multi-use pathways, cycle tracks and the road, learning assertive cycling skills, traffic analysis, general bicycle maintenance, route planning and more. The City's cycling programs are conducted by certified instructors. Our programs are oriented toward recreational and utilitarian cycling.

Got a Bike Club? Sign your group up for a lesson.

See you on the road, the pathways and the cycle tracks!

Cycling courses

Child - Bike Rodeo (by community request)

City of Ottawa Bike Rodeos are offered to schools and community groups free of charge by the City of Ottawa Mobile Cycle Education Team. A Bike Rodeo is an interactive bicycle skills and safety event for children. Essential bicycle handling and traffic skills for young cyclists in a fun festival type atmosphere. Topics include helmet fitting, bicycle maintenance, handling, signalling, gears, braking, avoiding road hazards and more. Participants must know how to ride. Ages six to 10. Two hours.

Child - Learn to ride private lessons 

For children and youth who cannot ride a bike. Our COVID-modified Learn to Ride lessons will have adults and children riding confidently and safely in a very short time. Participants will learn to balance, start, stop and turn. Sessions are offered on a one-to-one basis. Participants must have a bicycle and helmet. Instructors will meet you at your local school parking lot. Ages 6 and up. One hour.

Adult - Learn to ride private lesson

For adults who cannot ride a bike. Learn to balance, start, stop and turn. One session, on a one-to-one basis. You must have a bicycle and helmet. One hour.

Registration

Contact City Wide Programs: 613-580-3575 or cycling@ottawa.ca

Basketball courts - outdoor

Outdoor basketball court locations

The interactive map and table below display the locations of the City's outdoor basketball courts. The number of courts listed in the table will expand or contract as you zoom in, zoom out or pan the map view. Navigate to an area of interest by searching for a park name, address, intersection, street segment or city facility in the “Find address or place” search box. Click on a basketball court for more information about that location. Basketball court information is also available in the City’s Open Data Catalogue.

Tennis and pickleball courts

Use of tennis and pickleball courts

  • Tennis players are encouraged to limit game time to 30 minutes to allow others to play.
  • Courts are available on a first-come, first served basis.
  • Spring cleanup and installation of nets on pickleball and tennis courts begins in late April and courts open in early May. Weather conditions such as snow, ground frost and excessive rain, can lead to delays.
  • Courts close in October.
  • See the interactive map below for all City of Ottawa tennis courts lined for pickleball play.
  • Browse instructional racquet sport activities.
  • Membership tennis courts and club contacts.

Book a court

  1. Please email tennis@ottawa.ca with your rental request. 
  2. Include the name of your organization, contact name, contact information, name of court, the dates and times and any special instructions. 
  3. We will email you a contract along with information on how to pay. 
  4. Review, sign and return the contract to tennis@ottawa.ca. The contract is valid once we receive payment and a signed copy of the contract.

2024 rental rates

Fees shown do not include HST. Applicable taxes will be added during the payment process.

  • Adult: $9.81
  • Commercial or private: $17.99
  • Youth/child: $8.00

Court locations

The interactive map and table below display court locations. The number of courts listed in the table will expand or contract as you zoom in, zoom out or pan the map view. You can also navigate to an area of interest by searching for a park name, address, intersection, street segment or city facility in the “Find address or place” search box. Click on a court for more information about that location. Court information is also available in the City’s Open Data Catalogue.

Skateboard and BMX parks

Locations

  • Bearbrook Community Centre/Leslie Armstrong Park, 8720 Russell Road
    • Flat asphalt surface
    • Five components
  • Ben Franklin Place/Legacy Skatepark, Centrepointe behind Theatre District
    • 17,000 square feet
    • Large concrete bowl
    • Many street and vertical components
  • Berrigan Park, Treehouse Mike Memorial Skatepark, 51 Berrigan Drive
    • Flat concrete surface
    • More than 10 components
  • Blackburn Park, 190 Glen Park Drive
    • Flat asphalt surface
    • Five components
  • Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex - Orléans, SK8 Extreme Park, 1490 Youville Drive
    • Flat asphalt surface
    • City-run programs: learn to skateboard and skateboard summer camps
  • Bridlewood Core Park, 65 Stonehaven Drive
    • Flat asphalt surface
    • Five components
  • Constance Bay Community Centre Park, 262 Len Purcell Drive
    • Flat asphalt surface
    • Five components
  • CARDELREC Recreation Complex Goulbourn, 1500 Shea Road
  • Greenboro Skatepark, 3142 Conroy Road
    • Flat asphalt surface
    • Five components
  • Lansdowne Park, 450 Queen Elizabeth Drive
    • Flat surface
  • Manotick Arena, Centennial Park, 5572 Doctor Leach Drive
    • Flat surface
    • Eight components
  • McNabb Park, Charlie Bowins Skateboard Park, 435 Bronson Avenue
    • Flat concrete surface
    • More than 10 components (including a large quarter-pipe)
    • City-run programs: learn to skateboard and skateboard summer camps
  • Richcraft Recreation Complex-Kanata, Innovation Skateboard Park, 4101 Innovation Drive
    • Large concrete bowl
    • More than 10 components (including many street and vertical components)
  • Splash Wave Pool, Trillium Park BMX Track, 2030 Ogilvie Road
    • Flat asphalt surface
    • Five components
    • BMX dirt track
  • Walter Baker Park, 100 Walter Baker Place
    • 7,000 square feet
    • Concrete bowl

Heart Wise Exercise program

Heart Wise Exercise programs are physical activity courses or activities that have low to moderate levels of intensity. They are designed for people who are concerned about their heart health and who want to participate in regular fitness programs. They are also offered to people without heart-related problems.

The programs:

  • Encourage regular, daily aerobic exercise.
  • Meet stringent cardiac fitness program requirements identified by the Physical Activity Network Committee.
  • Encourage and incorporate warm up, cool down and self-monitoring with all exercise sessions.
  • Allow participants to exercise at a safe level.
  • Have progressive options to increase intensity if appropriate.
  • Accept participants with a known history of cardiac disease (physician approval may be required).
  • Have a documented emergency plan, including requiring current CPR certification, phone access to emergency medical services and access to defibrillators.

Look for the Heart Wise exercise programs for youth, special needs and seniors in Register Ottawa.  For more information, email or call 613-798-8872.

Heart wise exercise logo

The Heart Wise Exercise program is offered in partnership by the City of Ottawa, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and other community agencies.

Requirements

If you have a chronic condition:

  • talk with your physician about exercise
  • follow exercise guidelines provided by your health care professional

Financial support – Ottawa Hand in Hand

If you are already a participant in a community or social service agency program, if you are an individual or family with a low-income or a family member with a disability, you may qualify for the Ottawa Hand in Hand recreation and culture fee support program.

Only residents of the City of Ottawa may apply for the Ottawa Hand in Hand subsidy, on their own behalf or for a dependent wishing to participate in programs or activities offered by the Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department (RCFS). For additional information on Ottawa Hand in Hand, the City of Ottawa’s fee assistance program, residents are invited to visit their local recreation or culture facility or any City Client Service Centre.

Please note: applicants will be asked to provide proof of identity, residency and of financial need and should be prepared to provide copies of formal documentation.

Applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

  • Evidence of being in receipt of Ontario Works
  • Evidence of being in receipt of a Child Care Subsidy
  • Evidence of being in receipt of Essential Health and Social Supports
  • Evidence of being in receipt of Ontario Disability Support Pension (ODSP)
  • Evidence of being in receipt of Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD/MCSS)
  • Evidence of being in receipt of a Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
  • Means test using the Low Income Cut-Off
    • T451E Notice of Assessment or,
    • Child Tax Benefit Form
  • Special circumstances may also be considered (details to be provided in the application form).
  • Residents of all ages are eligible.
  • Residents are encouraged to apply as early as possible before the program registration period.
  • Each qualifying individual, or member of a family, is eligible for an annual amount of fee support ($185 per person).
  • Applicants are encouraged to pay a minimum of 25 per cent of the program cost.
  • A parent or guardian can transfer all, or a portion of their Ottawa Hand in Hand fee support entitlement to a child or children in their household.

How to apply

  1. If you receive Ontario Works, ask your case worker to complete the application for you.
  2. Complete the application form or, pick one up at most staffed recreation facilities or at a Client Service Centre.
  3. Bring the completed application form to your local recreation or cultural facility.

A supervisor will review the application for approval. Applications can only be approved at a recreation or cultural facility.