August 6 Newsletter 2021

August 6, 2021 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

Summer is still in full swing and there is a lot happening in and around the ward. Resurfacing of the Vanier Parkway has started and ongoing day and overnight work can be expected. The project’s targeted completion is October 2021. Next week, some residents in the ward can expect to receive letters from the City about the Lead Pipe Replacement Program. I have provided further details about the program and what can be expected in the newsletter. I also wanted to inform residents about Overbrook Day, an upcoming community event happening in the ward at the end of the month. The event promises to be great fun for the whole family and I hope to see you there. Finally, I want to remind residents about the upcoming hazardous waste depots occurring across the city. With last year’s cancellations due to the pandemic, these depots present a much needed opportunity to get rid of hazardous waste that may be taking up space in homes. 

Lead Pipe Replacement Program 

In September 2019, Committee and Council approved an update to the Lead Pipe Replacement Program (LPRP) in response to new federal guidelines that reduce the maximum allowable concentration of lead in drinking water. The program assists homeowners with the replacement of lead service pipes on private property by hiring and managing the contractor and offering deferred payment options to reduce the financial impact of the replacement costs.  

City staff have prepared communication materials for LPRP to include program changes and a campaign to owners of homes built before 1955 has been launched. Next week, approximately 3,500 homes in Ward 13 will receive letters from the City of Ottawa with the title “Keep your tap water lead-free.”  Additional information may also be found at Lead Pipe Replacement Program | City of Ottawa. 

Please be reminded to not allow people into your home asking to inspect your water and sewer infrastructure. City staff do not go door-to-door. 

Park Kishkabika public engagement 

Together, with the Algonquins of Ontario, Canada Lands Company (CLC) is delighted to present the concept plan for Kishkabika Park (Park 1) and invite you to share your feedback as part of their online public engagement. 

The engagement on the design of Kishkabika Park (Park 1) began in 2013 following the Algonquin Elder’s tour of Wateridge Village. Through the development of the Community Design Plan, the vision for this park was realized as a year-round destination for people of all ages. The park plan includes play equipment, water play, a puddle rink for skating, space for community garden plots, a sliding hill and open space for community gathering.  

Located north of Hemlock Road and west of Codd’s Road, Kishkabika Park (Park 1) will be the largest park within Wateridge Village. The name ‘Kishkabika’ is Algonquin for ‘rock cliff’ and its theme is centered around the Algonquin presence in the Ottawa Valley. Algonquin history will be celebrated in this park with components that include a belvedere, ceremonial firepit and designs incorporated to honour the Algonquin community. 

Visit CLC’s website to review the plan and provide them with input that will help inform the park’s design and recreational uses as they finalize the plan for submission to the City of Ottawa for approval.  

Reminder:  Upcoming One-day Household Hazardous Waste Depot on August 8th 

Date: Sunday, August 8, 2021 
Hours of Operations: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Location: 2170 Mer Bleue Road - Innes Snow Dump 

The remaining events for 2021 are scheduled as follows: 

• Sunday, September 12 at Tunney’s Pasture  
• Sunday, September 26 at the Trail Waste Facility, 4475 Trail Road  
• Sunday, October 24 at the Westbrook snow dump, 200 Westbrook Road 

*All one-day depots will run from 8 am to 4 pm. 

Save the Date! Overbrook Day 2021 

Join us for family fun and excitement! Overbrook residents of all ages are welcome! 

Councillor King’s office in partnership with Ottawa Community Housing and the Overbrook Community Association invite you to celebrate our community and neighbours. 

Who? ALL residents of Overbrook are invited! 

What? A day of fun for everyone. Free hot dog lunch! Free ice cream for kids! 

When? Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 12pm – 3pm. 

Where? Overbrook Community Centre, 33 Quill Street at Queen Mary. 

City’s fall 2021 recreation and culture eGuides now online 

Thanks to our two-dose summer, we are pleased to welcome back more in-person recreation and arts programming this fall. Browse the fall 2021 recreation and culture eGuides for COVID-modified activities being offered at select City facilities.    

Aquatics registration starts on Monday, August 16 at 9 pm and registration for all other recreation, arts and special interest offerings starts on Wednesday, August 18 at 9 pm – including new virtual programs.  

Fall 2021 aquatic programs – offered in English and French – include: 

• Swimming lessons for all ages 
• Power swim  
• Aquatic certifications for all levels 

Recreation, special interest and arts programming 

Explore the wide range of recreation activities to stay in shape and have fun, whether you want to take fitness classes, yoga, karate or take up a sport. Look for on-ice programming coming later this fall. 

Some of the sports available include: 

• Badminton 
• Basketball 
• Volleyball 
• Tennis 
• Pickleball 

You can also take a special interest or hobby program, like crafts, culinary, dog obedience and gardening. Babysitting certificate training courses are also available.  

Discover your artistic flair and talents as the Specialty Arts @ Nepean Visual Arts Centre, Nepean Creative Arts Centre and Shenkman Arts Centre open their doors once again for pottery classes, animation, fashion design, painting and drawing courses. 

Virtual programming is continuing as a mainstay option that gives people an opportunity to participate from home, offering flexibility, comfort and convenience. Instructors will teach from rooms specialized for virtual streaming, which means better sound and no broadcast delays. Programs include: 

• Fitness 
• Arts  
• Cooking tips from local chefs, and much more 

New virtual programs feature activities for grandparents to interact with family members near or far. All you need is an electronic device with an internet connection.   

Registration is easy. Explore the eGuides to select the program that interests you and follow these simple steps: 

1. Go to ottawa.ca/recreation to view the eGuides or visit join.ottawa. 
2. Click the relevant barcode – it will take you to the course page, with details about the number of spaces available, fees and dates.  
3. Add the class to your cart and then proceed through the checkout. We’ll email you your receipt. 

Montreal Road revitalization 

Please find below a two-week update (August 2 to 13) for the Montreal Road Revitalization project. The work activities planned for the next two weeks will include: 

• Vanier Parkway/Montreal Road intersection – Surface work continues in the northeast and southeast quadrants of the intersection focusing on cycle track and paver stone construction. The east-west crosswalk on the south side of Montreal Road has reopened and the eastbound right turn at the intersection has been reduced to one lane.  

• North River Road to Vanier Parkway – The sidewalk on the north side of Montreal Road is complete. Crews continue forming and constructing the concrete sidewalk on the south side working towards Vanier Parkway. Sections of sidewalk around the existing hydro poles will be backfilled with gravel until the hydro poles are removed in late summer/early fall.   

• Vanier Parkway to Marier Avenue – The northside concrete curb, base asphalt, sidewalk and the asphalt cycle track are complete for this section. Crews have excavated the south side of the road and are progressing with the construction of underground electrical utility work and concrete curb. Soil cells for urban trees are also being constructed on the south side.     

• Marier Avenue to Lafontaine Avenue – Installation of underground utility work and soil cells continues, as well as construction of the north side curb and sidewalk from Marier Avenue to Bradley Avenue. Sections of concrete sidewalk have been constructed along this segment and grading for the cycle track is continuing. Paving of the base lift asphalt is scheduled next week on the north side of Montreal Road from Marier Avenue to Lalemant Street. Underground electrical work is continuing between Mona Avenue and Altha Avenue on the south side 

• Lafontaine Avenue to de l’Église Street – Underground sewer and catch basin work continues. The north side of Montreal Road between Lafontaine Avenue and Cantin Street has been paved.  Paving of the south side of Montreal Road from Ducharme Boulevard to de L’Eglise Street is scheduled for next week.  

• De l’Église Street to St. Laurent Boulevard – Excavations for new sanitary sewers and the watermain are continuing at de L’Eglise Street with crews working east towards St. Laurent Boulevard.   

• Continued traffic impacts and road closures – Montreal Road is reduced to one westbound lane from Vanier Parkway to St. Laurent Boulevard. All streets are closed between Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard, except for Olmstead Street, Marier Avenue, Granville Street/Lafontaine Avenue and Cantin Street. Lane modifications were completed on the east leg of the McArthur Avenue/Vanier Parkway intersection to improve traffic flow and accommodations for cyclists. The improvements include extending the eastbound merge lane and reinstating the cycling lane east of the intersection.  

• Month-long construction outlook – Underground and aboveground work between Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard will continue. Traffic flips from north to south will occur between de L’Eglise Street to St. Laurent Boulevard. Road, electrical and utility work will continue on the south side of Montreal Road between the Vanier Parkway and Olmstead Street, including construction of the road and concrete curbs. Concrete sidewalk forming and construction will continue between Vanier Parkway and North River Road on the south side of Montreal Road. Streetlight electrical work and removals will continue on North River Road (north of Montreal Road), followed by construction of the multi-use-path (MUP) on the west side of North River Road.  

• Hydro update – Hydro Ottawa removed their overhead power line between North River Road and Vanier Parkway on the weekend of July 17. Before the hydro poles can be fully removed, the new streetlights must be installed and energized. Complete removal of the poles will happen towards the end of the summer.