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The City of Ottawa hosted a recognition event to express appreciation to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for its continued support of community projects in Ottawa. The Walter Baker Sports Centre, which was the backdrop for today’s event, is just one City facility benefitting this year.
The City receives funding annually from OLG, which is generated revenue from the Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock, and is placed in City’s general revenue account and reinvested in services and initiatives to benefit residents. This year, the City received more than $6 million in support.
The Walter Baker Sports Centre had the filtration system for its main, diving and training pools completely overhauled after it reached the end of its lifecycle. The work also included:
Adding three new filters for disinfection and sanitization
Installing separate filtration valves that enables staff to isolate an issue with an individual pool
Redesigning the pool piping system to enhance operational efficiency
The project began in the spring of 2024 and the pools reopened in July to welcome back residents of all ages and clubs for activities and programming. Today, the filtration flow exceeds current guidelines and codes and water clarity is perfect – enhancing the user-experience.
To date, Ottawa has received over $106 million in non-tax gaming revenue from OLG since slots gaming has been hosted at the Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock.
In addition to the Walter Baker Sports Complex, portion of the funding from April 2023 to March 2024 was also invested in other recreation infrastructure projects, including:
Albion Heatherington Community Centre
Bayshore Community Building
Beaverbrook Community Centre
Brewer Park Arena
Brewer Pool
Canterbury Pool
Canterbury-Brian Kilrea Arena
CardelRec Recreation Complex
Carleton Lodge
Carlington Recreation Centre
Dovercourt Recreation Centre
J.A, Dulude Arena
Earl Armstrong Arena
Fallingbrook Community Centre
Jim Durrell Recreation Centre
John G. Mlacak Centre
Kaladar Change Facility
Kanata Leisure & Wave Pool Cntr
Lansdowne Park Complex: Aberdeen Pavilion
Lansdowne Park Complex: Horticultural Building
Lowertown Complex
Navan Memorial Centre
Tony Graham Recreation Complex - Kanata
These investments make our recreational facilities more comfortable for the individual user and more energy efficient and cost effective for the City as a whole.
The funding also invested towards enhancing city facilities for cultural services, long-term care and Ottawa Fire Services.
Quotes
“Thanks to more than $6 million in contributions from the OLG this past year, the City of Ottawa has been able to make significant improvements to the infrastructure and services at over 170 facilities across our community. These investments have enhanced recreation centres like the Walter Baker Sports Centre, as well as community centres, libraries, long-term care facilities, daycares, and fire stations, benefiting residents across the city.”
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
“The pools at the Walter Baker Sports Complex are used by several swimming clubs and so many residents, both young and young-at-heart, for drop-in swims and aquatic lessons. On behalf of the residents of our ward, I want thank both the City of Ottawa and OLG for ensuring the pools are quality amenities for the many customers that use them each and every day.
Barrhaven West Ward Councillor David Hill
“OLG is proud to be a vital part of the City of Ottawa. Each and every year, 100 per cent of OLG profits are reinvested in Ontario to support provincial priorities. From critical infrastructure to important local programs, to community festivals, OLG’s profits are hard at work in Ottawa and all across our province to build stronger communities. When you play at an Ontario casino, like the Rideau Carleton Casino Future Hard Rock, you play for Ontario.”
Kathleen Devine, OLG’s Senior Municipal Relations Manager
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.