Recreation & Wellness

It’s Time for Kitchissippi to Get Its Fair Share

Kitchissippi is a great place to live and raise a family. But when it comes to recreation space, we’re falling behind.

Across Ottawa, other communities are getting major investments in modern recreation facilities.

Orléans is getting more than $6.3 million in federal funding to expand the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex with a new gym and improved facilities.

Riverside South is planning a massive new recreation complex, currently estimated at approximately $175 million. The proposed facility would include two ice rinks, two pools, a gym, fitness space, an indoor walking track, meeting rooms and more.

Barrhaven already has the $54-million Minto Recreation Complex, with two ice pads, a pool, gym and walking track, and the City is now moving ahead with another major community facility, the new Barrhaven Civic Centre. The City approved more than $10 million just to acquire the land for the new complex.

These are good investments. Ottawa needs recreation facilities as our city grows.

But Kitchissippi is growing too.

Our families, kids, seniors and community groups deserve modern recreation space close to home. We pay our fair share of City taxes, and we should get our fair share of City investment.

A new recreation and wellness centre for Kitchissippi

If elected, I will fight to make a new recreation and wellness centre in Kitchissippi a City priority.

I believe Tunney’s Pasture offers an opportunity to create a modern community hub with recreation, fitness and gathering spaces that can serve Kitchissippi for generations.

But one new facility isn't enough.

Build recreation space as our neighbourhood grows

Thousands of new residents are expected to move into Kitchissippi as more housing is built.

We need to plan for the services those residents will need at the same time.

That’s why I will also champion more recreation and community space in new developments, particularly major projects where there is an opportunity to create spaces the surrounding neighbourhood can use.

Growth should bring more than new buildings. It should help build a better community.

Kitchissippi deserves places where kids can play, seniors can stay active, neighbours can meet and families can spend time together.

Other parts of Ottawa have fought successfully for major recreation investments.

It’s time we did the same. It’s time for Kitchissippi to get its fair share.