Update on Ward 22 Recreation Complex

The new recreation complex for Riverside South and Findlay Creek is a priority project for our community, and I want to take this opportunity in this week's newsletter to provide a thorough update on its progress. This major facility will serve residents across Ward 22 and the broader south end, and real progress is being made to move the project from theory to reality.

This project is personal for me. As a resident of the ward and a parent, I have seen first-hand the impact that the absence of a local, full-service recreation complex has had on our community. The lack of any progress on this facility for more than eight years was one of the key reasons I chose to return to City Hall in 2022. I am committed to changing that, and I am encouraged that this experience is now translating into real progress.

The recreation complex will be centrally located on Earl Armstrong Road, between Limebank Road and Bowesville Station. As part of this project, I am working with staff on improvements to Earl Armstrong Road to make the facility more accessible to residents, and there are plans to extend the road to Bank Street to improve connectivity to Findlay Creek.

You may have noticed two new signs recently installed at the site. These signs mark the boundaries of the property and provide a clear sense of the magnitude of the site. The location is larger than the Minto Recreation Complex in Barrhaven and will support a wide range of indoor and outdoor amenities.

The recreation complex is being delivered in two phases to balance the need to bring major amenities online as soon as possible with the long-term growth of Riverside South and Findlay Creek.

Phase 1 represents the initial build and establishes the core of the recreation complex. This phase includes the main recreation building, site preparation, and infrastructure required to support both current use and future expansion. The building footprint has increased to ensure it meets current accessibility standards and provides inclusive access for all users. Phase 1 also includes parking and full site servicing, including water, sewer, and stormwater.

Phase 1 building program

Aquatics

The building will include a six lane, 25 metre pool, designed to accommodate swimming competitions, and a leisure pool. The aquatics area will also include three wet change rooms, male, female, and universal, as well as an instruction room.

Arena space

Approximately 6,408 square metres will be dedicated to arena space. This will include two NHL sized ice rinks, spectator seating for a minimum of 250 people at rink one and 500 people at rink two, eleven change rooms including four accessible change rooms, two alternate needs change rooms, and one referee change room, as well as a skate sharpening room.

Recreation and administration

Approximately 3,559 square metres, will support recreation and administrative uses. This area will include a gymnasium, cardio and weight room, walking track, fitness studio, three multi-purpose and programming rooms, two meeting rooms, and a public art and gallery space.

Phase 1 exterior amenities

Phase 1 will deliver a vibrant and well programmed outdoor recreation environment designed to support active living, family use, and year-round community gathering. These exterior amenities will complement the indoor facility and ensure the site functions as a complete recreation destination from day one.
Exterior features will include a central parking area to support safe and convenient access, a shade structure to encourage gathering and comfort, a splash pad for families and young children, multiple playgrounds, an outdoor fitness area to support a range of ages and abilities, a lit combination football and soccer field, a lit basketball court, four lit tennis courts, four lit pickleball courts, and four outdoor beach volleyball courts.
The parking lot will have capacity for approximately 500 vehicles, ensuring convenient access to the wide range of amenities that will be offered at the recreation complex.

Phase 2 is planned as a future expansion that builds on the foundation created in Phase 1. As the surrounding community continues to grow, it will add additional large field sports and more recreation opportunities, using the same servicing, access, and site infrastructure established early in the project.

Phase 2 amenities will include two full soccer fields, two full-size baseball or softball fields with lighting, a cricket field with two ultimate fields, additional walking paths and pathways throughout the site, and further public art installations.

The recreation complex building itself will be approximately 15,721 square metres. The facility is being designed to achieve LEED certification, reflecting the City’s commitment to energy efficiency, sustainability, and responsible long-term operations.

Many construction standards, building materials, and sustainability requirements have evolved since the Minto Recreation Complex opened in 2014. I helped lead that project at the time, and I am bringing the same focus, experience, and determination to this project to ensure it reflects current best practices and delivers long-term value for our community. This project will be similar to Minto in scope, but bigger and better.

The City of Ottawa has acquired the land for the project, with the purchase price including servicing by the developer. Work is underway to finalize servicing plans for water, sewer, and stormwater. Given the size of the planned swimming pool, these systems must be designed to accommodate significant capacity.

The site is located on clay, which is common throughout Ottawa. When properly engineered, it can safely support buildings, but it requires careful design and strong foundations. This is why thorough site preparation, including the delivery of large quantities of fill, is standard and necessary before construction begins. The City has completed extensive geotechnical work to ensure the long-term safety and durability of the facility and additional studies will be completed to ensure the most cost effective and efficient solutions are found.

The City has assembled a dedicated and experienced project team to lead this work. The City has also issued a request for proposals to hire the architectural team that will design the facility. I have asked staff to take a practical design approach and to rely on best practices from successful facilities such as the Minto Recreation Complex.

It is important to note that the details outlined above and conceptual image reflect early planning and program concepts. As with all large and complex capital projects, elements of the design, scope, and phasing remain subject to refinement through detailed design and procurement. Construction costs are influenced by market conditions, including labour availability, material pricing, and supply chain dynamics, which continue to fluctuate. As the project advances, staff will continue to manage these factors carefully to ensure the facility is delivered responsibly and in a way that provides long-term value for residents.

Next steps include:

hiring the architects
beginning public engagement on the design later this year
continuing site preparation and fill, and finalizing and extending servicing to the site, including water, sewer, and stormwater

Planning is also underway for electricity, natural gas, and the road work required to access the facility. I expect to see visible activity on the site later this year as this work progresses, including site servicing for water, sewer, and stormwater, as well as the delivery of fill to properly prepare the site for future construction.

Additional residential growth is planned around the facility as Riverside South continues to grow. This project remains a priority and is one our community has been waiting for a long time. The need for additional aquatic facilities is particularly urgent, given the significant waitlists for swimming lessons.

I also want to thank Mayor Mark Sutcliffe for his leadership in supporting this project and ensuring it moved forward. During the budget process, there were Councillors who took an indifferent view toward suburban infrastructure and investment in growing communities like Riverside South and Findlay Creek. Despite that resistance and political noise from downtown-focused perspectives, this project has prevailed. The commitment is in place, and the work is now advancing. My focus remains on delivering real progress and real results for residents, and ensuring our community receives the services and infrastructure it deserves.

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