Weekly newsletter: April 15, 2026
Hi everyone!
Apologies for the delay in this week’s newsletter. A sure sign of spring is the private driveway snow clearing service markers being removed across the ward.
The photo above is from a small commemorative ceremony held at the Vimy Memorial Bridge over the weekend to mark 109 years since the start of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
I joined representatives from Amicitia France-Canada, Le Souvenir Français, and members of the Canadian Army to pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the thousands of Canadians who fought valiantly in one of the most pivotal battles of the First World War.
Not only was Vimy pivotal for the war effort, but it’s also considered the moment when the Canadian nation was born, as soldiers from across the country fought under one banner for the first time ever.
Walter Baker Sports Centre
Works across the facility to disrupt some recreation programming.
Between now and the end of June, three projects at the Walter Baker Sports Centre will disrupt recreation programming at different times.
Crews will be installing a new generator for the facility on April 27, which will require power to be shut off to parts of the facility for the entire day.
The power shutoff will affect the library (second floor), canteen, food court, and the Barrhaven Food Cupboard. During the shutoff, the spaces will be inaccessible and out of use. No other recreation programming will be affected.
Fire sprinkler replacement throughout the whole building will begin around the same time, as the system reaches the end of its useful life.
The replacement is expected to be completed by the end of June. During those works, the canteen and rinks may become unavailable for a few days, but no major impacts to other recreation programming are expected. Details will be shared as they become available.
Most significantly, the swimming pool will be closed from May 11 to June 28 for repairs to the pool’s structural supports and parts of the deck.
Temporary measures were implemented last year after deficiencies were identified during routine inspections, but the works to be done during the closure will be a permanent repair. Groups affected by the pool closures will be notified in the coming weeks.
Annual maintenance will also be completed during that time to avoid closing the pool for a second time in a year.
Did you know the facility was originally called the South Nepean Sports Centre when it first opened in October 1980? It was renamed in November 1983, two weeks after the death of MP Walter Baker (who died while still in office).
Traffic enforcement
More monitoring and enforcement as traffic unit continues to grow.
Over the weekend, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) South District traffic enforcement unit focused on Strandherd Drive as part of their ongoing efforts and growth.
Nineteen total charges were laid, including three stunt driving charges (126 km/h, 121 km/h, and 117 km/h in a 70 km/h zone). Nine alcohol screenings were performed, and one driver received a seven-day licence suspension as a result.
The traffic enforcement unit was reinstated late last year as frontline staffing continued stabilising. They have been monitoring and enforcing at locations with frequent complaints, reports, and noted observations, such as stop signs and locations that used to have automated speed enforcement cameras.
Targeted enforcement campaigns for street racing and noise are also ramping up as the weather gets nicer.
More monitoring and enforcement, both proactively and reactively, will be done as the traffic unit continues to grow. Residents are always encouraged to file police reports↗ to help guide those efforts. For traffic issues, vehicle details, though helpful, are not required.
Additionally, following the delay in summer 2024, the police station at Prince of Wales south of Strandherd continues to be on pace towards an end-of-2026 completion and an operational date in early-2027.
Sprung structure
Results of my freedom of information request.
Back in early-October 2024, I filed an information request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) to obtain information and documents related to the sprung structure proposal.
Following some back-and-forth with staff, we ended submitting three MFIPPA requests, which was fulfilled on August 12, 2025, when my office received 3,239 pages in documents.
We had an extremely busy second half of 2025, so my staff and I were unable to start properly reviewing the documents until February 2026. We also put together a general explanatory note and reading maps for each information package.
The original information packages and our supplementary material have been posted to Ward24.ca/hot under the “newcomer reception centre (sprung structure)” tab
Bite-sized updates
Sorted alphabetically. New or updated items marked with asterisk (*).
Beatrice/Queensbury (stop 3345) bus shelter – Installation tentatively scheduled for the spring.
Cleaning the Capital – Registration for the spring 2026 campaign is open until May 4 for cleanup projects between April 15 and May 31. Almost 45 projects have already been registered in Barrhaven East! Learn more or register at Ottawa.ca/Clean↗.
Development application, 3400 Woodroffe↗ - The City received an application to construct 160 homes divided amongst stacked townhouses, back-to-back townhouses, and traditional townhouses. I’ve organised a public meeting about the development for April 29, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at the Chapman Mills Community Building (424 Chapman Mills Drive). City staff and the developer have been invited to attend.
Household hazardous waste – This year’s drop-off depots near Barrhaven are noted below. See Ottawa.ca/HHW↗ for instructions and depots scheduled for other dates and further away from Barrhaven. Many items like light bulbs, spent batteries, paint, oil, and electronics can also be dropped off at retailers and other locations↗ throughout the year.
June 28, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm – Trail Road Landfill, 4475 Trail Road↗
October 17, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm – Strandherd snow dump, 4061 Strandherd Drive↗ (enter via Dealership Drive)
*Hydro Ottawa Greenbank transformer project – Hydro Ottawa are hosting public information sessions on April 28 regarding a new transformer station project along Greenbank Road south of West Hunt Club. Details at HydroOttawa.com/Greenbank↗.
Virtual – 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm, register here↗
In-person – 6:45 pm to 8:30 pm, Charlie Conacher Building (Moloughney Park), 30 Wessex Road↗, no registration required
Income tax clinics – The Ottawa Public Library is hosting income tax clinics at the Ruth E. Dickinson branch at no cost for low/modest income families with simple tax returns for 2025. See BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca↗ for schedule details and eligibility criteria. Personal income tax returns are due April 30.
*Nepean Creative Arts Centre refresh – The City is looking to improve the facility, create new opportunities for creative programming, and to have a better understanding of how the centre is used today. A public survey is available until May 5 through EngageOttawa↗.
*OC Transpo route 277, 5:55 am departure – As bus availability continues to improve, the first morning trip of the 277 Tunney’s Pasture will resume service with a high-capacity bus starting Monday, April 20.
Police office hours – South District officers are testing out open office hours as an added form of community outreach. Officers will be upstairs at the Walter Baker Sports Centre from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm every other Thursday, with their next day on April 16. No registration or scheduling needed.
*Potholes – Please report potholes to Ottawa.ca/311↗. The requirement to provide contact information for pothole reporting has been made optional starting this year.
Recycling – Friendly reminder that all recycling inquiries, including service issues and replacement bin requests should be directed to Miller Waste at 1-888-852-2374 or Area2@MillerWaste.ca. Garbage, green bin, and yard waste remain City responsibilities.
*Road cuts remediation – The road cuts near Cresthaven/Versilia (winter watermain break) and at Woodroffe/Deerfox (private water and sewer connection) will be properly remediated after hot asphalt plants reopen in May. On Cresthaven, the cold patch will receive regular attention until that work can be done.
*Sprung structure – Documents from my freedom of information request from 2024 related to sprung structures have been posted to Ward24.ca/hot↗ under the “newcomer reception centre (sprung structure)” tab.
Summer jobs with the City – Summer student job postings in parks and recreation are now live at Ottawa.ca/jobs↗. Please note some positions are restricted to post-secondary students, while others are open to all students.
Transport Canada LED headlights survey – Transport Canada wants to learn how LED headlight glare↗ affects road users and what vehicle or lighting features may influence how people experience it at night. Their survey↗ closes on April 20. You may also email MVS-SA@tc.gc.ca directly, subject line “Headlight glare.”
*Walter Baker Sports Centre – Three upcoming impacts to programming:
Late-April to late-June: sprinkler system life-cycle replacement. The rinks will be closed for a few days within that timespan. Details to come.
April 27, all day: power to library (second floor), canteen, and food court to be shut off to connect facility to new backup generator. No impact to recreation programming.
May 11 to June 28: swimming pools to be closed for structural and deck repair works. Annual maintenance will also be completed during the closure.
Watershield neighbourhood street parking – On-street parking regulations on Cicely, Coralroot, Gentian, Springbeauty, Sweetflag, Tawyblade, and Watershield have been changed to ban parking on one side of each street year-round (previously winter only). Thank you to residents in the neighbourhood for their engagement on the issue over the last few years.
Lastly, there’s lots of good hockey this month, with the Ottawa Senators recently securing a spot in the NHL playoffs, the Ottawa Charge fighting for the last playoff spot, and the Ottawa 67’s in the second round of their playoffs. The Sens Mile on Elgin Street will also be designated later this week!
Have a great week ahead.
-Wilson