This version of my President’s report did not appear in the July OSCAR as the paper went to press before the association’s June Board meeting and I was unable to report at that time on the decisions we took. Here’s a brief summary of the main items of business from our June meeting plus a couple of new items that have taken place over the summer. The OSCA Board did not meet in July and August, as is our usual practice, and our next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 20 at the Firehall at 7:30 p.m. The agenda for that meeting should be posted on the website a few days before (www.oldottawasouth.ca); as usual community members are welcome to attend as observers.
OSCA to Go Ahead with Fitness Room at the Firehall
After a very extensive period of planning and consultation the Program Committee brought a final business case for a fitness/cardio facility to the Board at its June 21st meeting. The proposal, which the Board approved, will see a fitness/cardio room established in the large basement general purpose room at the Firehall. When the Firehall was designed, we worked with the architect to ensure that if we eventually went ahead with this proposal the room would be suitable for a fitness facility. Consequently, the design of the ventilation system, flooring, ceiling height, electrical supply and security system in the room were modified to permit the installation of a fitness centre.
The proposal that has been accepted will see OSCA make a very substantial investment of approximately $100,000 in equipment and facilities that will be funded from our reserves. The equipment to be installed will include treadmills, fully body elliptical/cross trainers, upright and recumbent lifecycles and adjustable and fixed weight training benches with free weights. Mirrors will be installed in the room and a stretch area will also be provided.
Exact details on the costs for using this facility are yet to be finalized, but they will be very reasonable and memberships will be offered on a monthly, 6 month and annual basis. We are planning to engage a qualified trainer to be available for at least a few hours each week to start. In addition to general access to the facility, we are also looking at programming targeted to groups such as seniors, women and others with specific needs. If all goes well, the facility should be up and running by the late autumn. We will keep you posted in OSCAR and on the website about progress on the design and implementation of this very important addition to the Firehall’s programming capacity.
OSCA Support for Canal Footbridge
The Board discussed the current planning and consultation process being undertaken by the City concerning the construction of a pedestrian bridge across the Canal between the Pretoria and the Bank Street Bridges. In general OSCA supports the construction of such a bridge which could significantly improve pedestrian and cyclist access in the Glebe, Old Ottawa South and Old Ottawa East. Through a letter to the City approved by the Board, we made clear our support for the project, although we had a number of suggestions on how the planning and environmental assessment of the project could be improved. We also made it clear that while we support the bridge’s construction, we continue to have high priority concerns about the safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists on existing bridges in the ward and in particular the Bank Street, Billings and Pretoria Bridges.
Future Programming Strategy
The Board also had a detailed discussion on programming, backed up by a briefing paper prepared by its working group on a programming partnership strategy with the City. At the meeting the Board approved a negotiating strategy with the City and agreed that starting this autumn we will need to re-examine and strengthen our staff support for programming and OSCA activities more generally given increased demand for programming and the likely retirement of our Executive Director, Deirdre McQuillan, next summer. We clearly have our work cut out for us!
"Fire" at the Firehall
As some of you may have heard, we had an incident at the Firehall in early August that resulted in the Ottawa Fire Service being called to attend what appeared to be a fire at the community centre. The sprinkler system in the kiln room had been triggered in the late evening causing the kilns (which were firing pottery from summer classes overnight) to be soaked in water and give off steam making it appear as if smoke was pouring out of the ventilation system. Luckily the fire services arrived quickly and turned off the water and, apart from the kilns, there appears to be no damage to the building or the pottery studio.
A preliminary investigation has not determined what caused the sprinkler system to trigger and the City is looking at a number of possible modifications to the ventilation system, the control systems for the kilns and the sprinkler systems themselves. The kiln room was renovated with the Firehall last year and is built with all the latest safety systems and meets the most recent codes for such installations. It is likely that both of the kilns will need to be either repaired or replaced as a result of the water damage and we are hopeful that this can be done before the start of the autumn programming season in September. Right now arrangements are being made to fire pottery at another location for work produced during the summer pottery program.
Porch Sale – September 10
Just a reminder that the annual Old Ottawa South Porch Sale will be held, rain or shine, on Saturday, September 10, from 9:00 a.m. onwards. It’s a good idea to start planning now and think about dusting off those precious mementos, books, CDs, furniture, clothes, or whatever else you think will sell (and an amazing amount of stuff does sell) and get them ready for display. It is a great event and very well attended, so it is well worth putting in the time and effort to prepare and get out there on your porch on September 10 and sell, sell, sell!
As usual, we ask people to donate a small portion of their sales to OSCA (the usual guideline is 10%) to help us defray publicity costs and to fund community events such as the Fall Fest and Winter Carnival. Please send a cheque payable to OSCA to the Firehall, 260 Sunnyside Avenue, Ottawa ON K1S 0R7.
Fall Programming Guide
In this issue of the OSCAR you will find your copy of the OSCA programming guide for our Fall suite of programmes. There is a wide variety of programs on offer for children and adults this autumn so do take some time to browse the guide and see if there is something of interest for you or your family. Details on how to register are in the guide, or you can go on-line to view the guide and register at www.oldottawasouth.ca.