COVID-19 has cancellations/closures coming in at a rapid pace – city facilities closed

As the wave of COVID-19 has reached our region, there are several local events including in Ottawa proper that have been cancelled. Stittsville Central will do our utmost to keep you informed of cancellations as we are made aware of them. If you wish to share your cancelled event, please contact us at feedback@stittsvillecentral.ca or through a message on Facebook and we will share for you.

We also would like to take this time to add that Stittsville is a community of neighbours and if someone you know has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus and is in quarantine, or just not feeling well, reach out to them on social media or by telephone to see if you can support them in any way. At times like this, your helpfulness will be appreciated. Show your love for our community and the people who live here. We hope that everyone in Stittsville remains healthy over the course of this pandemic and for those who are unwell – may you be feeling better soon. Many thanks to all of our health care workers, police, paramedics and fire fighters for the work they do to keep everyone safe in times like these may you remain healthy.

Based on the recommendation to limit mass gatherings under the Ministry of Health’s guidance and in light of the wave of COVID-19 hitting the area, the City of Ottawa has taken the measure to close all recreation complexes and Ottawa Public Library branches until further notice. The facilities that will close are:

• All recreation and cultural facilities, including recreation complexes, community centers, arenas, swimming pools, theatres and museums will be closed, effective Monday, March 16.
• City programs, including March break camps and fitness classes, will also be cancelled, starting Monday, as will performances at the Shenkman and Meridian Theatres. There is no need for ticketholders to call 3-1-1 as tickets will be refunded automatically. Programming and rental fee refunds will also be processed automatically. All other inquiries can be sent by email to 123go@ottawa.ca.
• All Client Service Centres and City Hall will remain open.

Along with the above-noted City cancellations, more have been brought to Stittsville Central’s attention —

• • The Goulbourn Museum has decided to close the Museum during March Break. This includes the cancellation of our March Break Craft Camp, Yap & Yarn on March 15, and the Family Craft  Day (Too Slow Gotta Go!) on March 29.
  • The West Ottawa Ringette Association brought these cancellations to our attention – all Ringette Ontario activities, AA, A and U12 provincials, all regional tournaments including OAIC and league games have been suspended until further notice. This also includes the WORA Bunnies program for this coming weekend and all WORA-sanctioned activities.  Our year end banquets will be postponed to a later date. Details about the spring competitive tryouts will be sent out at a later date.
  • The Goulbourn Township Horticultural Society has cancelled the March 17 meeting. The talk – Kitchen Gardens – will be rescheduled to a later date.
  • If you were planning to attend the Ottawa Geek Market on March 26 – it has been cancelled.
  • The Goulbourn Township Historical Society has cancelled their March 21 event – A Salute to the Irish – Music and Stories with Kevin Dooley.
  • The Stittsville Minor Hockey Association has cancelled all of their minor hockey activities.
  • The National Arts Centre is cancelling all performances and events until April 5.
  • Landmark Cinemas are reducing the number of maximum guests per auditorium by approximately half.
  • The St. Thomas Anglican Church community dinner has been cancelled for March 14. All of the dinners are cancelled until further notice.
  • Councillor Gower’s ‘Councillors Chat’ is CANCELLED for March 14. His next ‘Chat’ is being held on March 28 should circumstances allow.
  • Friends of the Ottawa Public Library (FOPLA) will close all used book locations and sales until further notice effective March 14. Also, all scheduled volunteer shifts will be suspended until further notice.
  • The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and party on March 14 have both been cancelled.

That is all that has come across our desk for now. Will keep you updated should we hear of more cancellations.

Ottawa now has confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa. To date, all have been related to international travel. The City of Ottawa will be providing regular updates through ottawa.ca and through our social media channels. Ottawa Public Health will also continue to provide updates related to COVID-19 in Ottawa on their website — OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus. This is an evolving situation and the most current information will be shared with the public through all official City channels.

The federal government has details on COVID-19 and to keep Canadians safe can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada website here.

If anyone is having problems dealing with issues around COVID-19 and mental health, the Ottawa Distress Centre is there for you. You can call the 24/7 line at 613-238-3311 — they are well versed on COVID-19.