Lockdown forcing City of Ottawa recreation and cultural facilities to close temporarily

The City of Ottawa is temporarily closing its recreation and cultural facilities due to the Ontario-wide lockdown, beginning on December 26.

Some in-person services have been suspended until January 23, 2021, including:

• All drop-in recreation activities and programs – including indoor skating and swimming (public and lane swims)
• Outdoor recreation classes including Terry Fox Cross Country Ski program 
• Any indoor recreation, aquatic and arts program scheduled to begin in mid-January will be delayed until after the shutdown
• Ottawa Public Library branches will not allow public access, but contactless curbside services will continue
• EarlyON and Family Care Centres will be closed but will be providing virtual services
• Ottawa Fire Services' Fire Prevention unit will conduct immediate-threat-to-life inspections and paid or complaint inspections on a case-by-case basis
• OC Transpo Service Centre at the Rideau Centre will also be closed. 

Excluded from the lockdown are COVID-19 assessment centres, respite centres and municipal childcare centres.

Before-and-After school programs and inclusive rec programs will continue when elementary schools resume on January 11.

The counter service will be offered at Ottawa City Hall and Ben Franklin Place Client Service Centres, the business licensing centre and the employment and social services office by appointment only.

A full list of city service that are available during the provincial lockdown can be found here.