Step 3 to see gradual expansion of City of Ottawa in-person services

The City of Ottawa plans to gradually expand many of its in-person services when Step 3 of Ontario's economic reopening plan comes into effect this week, especially for indoor recreation and cultural activities and programs.
 
The city says 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. 

The following activities will reopen with capacity limits:   

• Indoor public and lane swims at select pools on July 16 
• Indoor Aquafitness programs at select pools on July 16 
• Summer Learn-to-Swim programs, starting the week of July 26 with restrictions  
• Weight and cardio rooms at select facilities on July 16 
• Indoor sport activities at select facilities on July 16 
• Drop-in programs such as fitness classes, older adult fitness classes, and skating will start at select facilities on July 16 with capacity limits 

Reservations for drop-in activities can be made on ottawa.ca beginning July 14 at 6 p.m. 

Summer swimming lesson registration is ongoing.
 
The resumption of other recreation and cultural programming and activities, including the city's 2021 fall programming, will be announced in the coming weeks.  
 
Facility rentals 

Select indoor and outdoor rental spaces will be available, says the city, with capacity limits. Residents are invited to contact the facility directly for rental information regarding:

• Halls 
• Rooms 
• Meeting spaces 
• Pool  
• Sports fields
• Rental space for team sports  

Anyone interested in arena and slab bookings can email sports@ottawa.ca for more details. 
 
Cultural facilities and programs 

The city says 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. 
 
Counter services

Service Ottawa will continue to deliver in-person offerings by appointment only at its two currently open Client Services Centres:

• Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. W.
• Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Dr.

Other Client Service Centre locations are expected to open in the coming months.
 
Residents must make an appointment for in-person counter services at any Client Service Centre by using the online booking tool on ottawa.ca. Residents without Internet access can reserve a time by calling 311 and choosing option six for the Client Service Centre. Requests for same-day appointments will be subject to availability. 

A return to walk-in clients will be announced in the coming weeks.
 
Building Code Services counters will be open at these locations by appointment only. Building Code Services will continue to support application submissions by mail and electronically at buildingpermits@ottawa.ca.
 
Employment and Social Services and Rent Supplement Program Offices

Limited counter and document drop-off services will be available at all four centres – 370 Catherine St., Mary Pitt Centre (second floor west, 100 Constellation Dr.), 2020 Walkley Rd., and 2339 Ogilvie Rd., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For all other services, staff will provide both telephone and email support from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Mary Pitt Centre location (second floor west, 100 Constellation Dr.) will also be the only location for limited counter and document drop-off services for the Rent Supplement Program, which will only operating from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Staff will continue to provide telephone and email support on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 
Business Licensing Centre

The Business Licensing Centre at 735 Industrial Ave. will continue in-person services, by appointment only:

• Business licenses (all categories)
• Pet registration 

To make an appointment, residents can email businesslicensing@ottawa.ca / permisdentreprise@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2424, extension 12735.
 
City Archives

The City’s Central Archives at the James K. Bartleman Centre, located at 100 Tallwood Dr., will continue to offer in-person appointments for residents wishing to visit the Reference Room. They are asked to make a reservation by emailing archives@ottawa.ca or by phoning 613-580-2857.
 
Provincial Offence Act Court

Court services counters located at 100 Constellation Dr. and 110 Laurier Ave. W. also continue to deliver services by appointment only. No walk-ins will be accepted. Clients are reminded to visit our counters only if necessary, as many of our in-person services can be accessed online at www.ottawa.ca/poa.
 
As a result of court proceedings being heard remotely until further notice, there will be no justice of the peace at any of the locations. If you received a summons to appear in court, do not attend court in-person. Your matter will be held remotely at the date and time noted on your summons. Please refer to the conference details listed at www.ottawa.ca/poa.
 
Defendants will receive a notice of a new court date by mail to the address on file with the court (please note that changing your address with MTO/Service Ontario does not update your address with the court office). For any changes, please contact us at 613-580-2400 (TTY 613-580-2401) and press option three, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Ottawa Public Library Branches

Ottawa Public Library (OPL) will expand in-person services, increase capacity, and reopen creative spaces starting Monday, July 26, 2021. 

All but two of the OPL's branches are open; branches in Vernon and Fitzroy Harbour will reopen in the fall. Access to virtual programs, digital resources, and requests for library items can be made around the clock via the Ottawa Public Library website.
 
OC Transpo Service Centre – Rideau Centre

The OC Transpo Service Centre at the Rideau Centre will be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting July 20. Customers can book appointments at 613-560-5500. Anyone can visit octranspo.com for more information.