November 13 Newsletter 2020

November 13, 2020 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

Taking care with COVID-19 in the community

Last week, the Province announced a new framework that placed Ottawa in the “Restrict” phase. This past Saturday, Ottawa saw indoor dining in restaurants return and gyms, cinemas and casinos reopen, with certain measures in place. This is a positive step for our community, though we must proceed with caution. Opening venues increases the opportunity for COVID-19 transmission and the possibility of a rapid rise in the infection rate is always with us. 

As we enter the second weekend with these reopenings, the important message to share with residents is that: We have to keep our guard up to keep COVID-19 levels down. Similar to how schools are able to be open with precautions in place, with the current level of COVID-19 in the community, businesses can open with proper precautions in place. This will help us manage COVID fatigue.

Residents are encouraged to connect with others by catching up with a friend or loved one outside their household, virtually, if at all possible. If residents do choose to meet in person, OPH would like to remind them to always maintain a physical distance of at least two metres, wear a mask and stay outdoors if possible. 

The new provincial framework signals that Ontario is striving for a balanced approach to see us through this pandemic.  It is not about getting over the next “wave”, but about finding sustainable ways to balance life while keeping COVID-19 transmission levels low in the community. Government regulations help protect people, but it is still up to everyone across all age groups and in every neighbourhood to act in a safer way when we go about our daily lives so we can keep the levels of COVID-19 down. 

We are one million people strong and our individual actions – collectively – do make a difference. 

St. Bart’s 2020 Virtual Bazaar

The annual St. Bart's Bazaar will be held online this year! Check out this website to find out what will be available from November 12 to 14.

Ward 13 Food Bank Fundraiser

The RPRA is launching its Annual Holidays Fundraising Campaign for the Food Bank at the Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre at 815 St Laurent Blvd https://www.crcrr.org/.  The Food Bank serves those in need in Ward 13 (Rideau-Rockcliffe), part of the federal riding of Rideau-Vanier which has the highest rate of child poverty in the city. 

We invite you to participate in this campaign through our “Local Food for our Local Food Bank” initiative which supports members of our community and our small businesses.  Both need your help during these difficult times. To make your tax-deductible donation visit this link.

SHINE: Youth Arts Microgrants
Apply Now!
 
Let your artistic talents shine bright this winter. Apply for a Crime Prevention Ottawa (CPO) youth arts microgrant to help bring your ideas to life. The call for proposals is now available. The art projects should be completed by April 30, 2021.
 
This grant is to support artists aged 12-25. Lead applicants must be 18 years old or older. Community agencies supporting youth artists are also welcome to apply.
 
For more information about funding, please visit crimepreventionottawa.ca  for the program guidelines and application form. Applications must be completed by Monday, November 30^th, 2020. Please join us for our virtual information session on Monday November 16^th from 6 to 7 p.m. To confirm your attendance, please register

Winter aquatics

Get ready to make a splash in the New Year by joining one of the City’s COVID-modified winter aquatics programs with select offerings at hub locations to learn swimming and lifesaving skills or get fit. The aquatics eGuide goes online Monday, November 16 and registration starts on Tuesday, December 1 at 9 pm. 

The City’s winter aquatics programs provide select offerings of COVID-modified water activities for you and your family – including swimming lessons, one-on-one private swimming lessons, lifesaving and leadership certifications and pre-competitive power swimming. Swimming programs start the week of January 4, 2021 for most locations. 

All City aquatics programs and facilities have implemented COVID wise safety-protocols for a safe and fun environment to keep you and your family active. This includes no hands-on instruction, parental accompaniment for younger swimmers, mask requirements outside of the pool, and low-ratio programs that support physical-distancing measures. Visit ottawa.ca/recreation for more details on City safety protocols. 

Physical activity is important to you and your family’s physical fitness and mental well-being.  Visit ottawa.ca/recreation to explore the City’s aquatics programs.  

Fitness Programs

After reviewing the Ontario government’s new orange-restrict regulations and ensuring all safety protocols are in place, the City is gradually restarting its recreation activities and services at its hub locations. The Province of Ontario moved Ottawa from modified stage two restrictions to the new orange-restrict status on Saturday, November 7.

The start dates for the services are as follows:

• Weight and cardio rooms will reopen on Saturday, November 14
• Kindergym drop-ins will resume on Monday, November 16
• Aquafitness will resume on Monday, November 23

Nepean Seniors Centre and Churchill Seniors Centre will reopen on Monday, November 23

Arena rentals can now resume for modified game play and scrimmages that avoid physical contact

The orange-restrict regulations also require:

• Physical distancing be increased to three metres in weight and cardio rooms and fitness classes
• A limit of 10 people per room indoors and 25 people outdoors for fitness activities
• Contact information for all patrons and participants
• A mask must be worn in the facility, except when engaged in athletic or physical activity

Access to most drop-in activities requires reservations in advance. Visit ottawa.ca/recreation for more information on activity offerings, locations, room rentals, reservations and all COVID-related protocols and restrictions.

Montreal Road Revitalization

Remaining construction both this week and next will include the following:  

• Montreal Road – North River Road to Vanier Parkway: Outstanding work along this section includes the sidewalk fronting Tim Hortons as well as in the northwest quadrant of the Vanier Parkway/Montreal Road intersection. This work is tentatively scheduled for early next week
• Montreal Road – Vanier Parkway to Marier Avenue: Crews are continuing work on two traffic poles including pole foundations at Olmstead south and Marier Avenue. Final work including all connections and signal head installations will likely wrap up by early December.
• Montreal Road – Marier Avenue to Cantin Street: All watermain work is now complete for the year. Road and curb work at Cantin remains to be completed over the next two weeks.
• McArthur Avenue: Concrete curb and island modifications are being completed at several intersections along McArthur Ave to improve traffic flow during the 2021 and 2022 Montreal Road detour. During the detour, eastbound Montreal Road traffic between Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard will be detoured via McArthur Avenue. The proposed intersection modifications are generally limited to curb and concrete island adjustments and lane markings at three intersections along McArthur Ave: North River Road, Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard.
• Montreal Road bus detours: Expected in April 2021, several bus routes currently operating along Montreal Road will require detours as a result of the eastbound Montreal Road lane closure between Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard. Information specifically related to OC Transpo bus impacts and detours will be provided during an upcoming November 18, 2020 Zoom meeting, hosted by Councillor Fleury’s office. This meeting will include a presentation from OC Transpo staff and the Montreal Road project team. The presentation will outline the various changes that will be occurring to OC Transpo routes 12,15, 20 as well as other transit impacts during the 2021 and 2022 Montreal Road detour.