Author: AGMS

I'm a game programmer, doing pretty much everything (from Wii, Kinect to iPad). On the side, just for fun, I write file systems (for the nifty BeOS/Haiku operating system) and experiment with metadata.

What’s Needed for Opening Rink Soon

via Gabe on Facebook… Hey Everyone!

If the weather cooperates, there will soon be skating at Champlain Park Rink! Once the rink is open, the fieldhouse will also be available during supervised rink hours for warming up, skate changing, washroom use, and access to the first aid kit. Rink supervisors oversee the use of the changerooms and the rink during these hours. We always need more rink supervisors to make the skating season a success! Supervisors must be a min. of 14 yrs old. If you’re a student, you can also count your hours towards your required high school volunteer hours.

Sign-up is easy with our Google form: https://forms.gle/9sgp7DAGw4mysaKi7

Contact us at ChamplainParkRink@gmail.com if you have any questions.

[Puddle Rink in 2023]

Amy’s Memorial Event Photos

On December 17, approximately 50 people met at Amy’s memorial tree to pay tribute to Amy Steele (Kempster), longtime volunteer and passionate defender of well-planned urban neighbourhoods and healthy natural environments.

[ Memorial tree and plaque for Amy Steele (Kempster)]
13:51 Memorial tree and plaque for Amy Steele (Kempster), Heather Pearl the Champlain Park Community Association organizer of the event speaking.
[Greenspace Alliance chair Paul Johnnis speaking]
13:55 Greenspace Alliance chair Paul Johnnis speaking.
[Federation of Citizens Associations president Robert Brinker speaking]
13:59 Federation of Citizens Associations president Robert Brinker speaking.
[Debra Huron former CPCA newsletter editor speaking]
14:00 Debra Huron former CPCA newsletter editor speaking about editing Amy.
[Nearby neighbour Patricia K. decorating the tree]
14:04 Nearby neighbour Patricia K. decorating the tree.
[Much chatting after the ceremony at the tree]
14:04 Much chatting after the ceremony at the tree.
[A few speakers remembering Amy]
14:21 Remembering Amy in the field house, with friends and relatives.

Winter Carnival – January 20

Winter Carnival 2024 on Saturday, January 20, at Champlain Park and Fieldhouse, noon to 3pm

It’s back… with hot chili, cool music, and fun sleigh rides! Everyone is welcome to attend the Carnival, whatever the weather. Among the activities:

  • 1-3pm: horse drawn sleigh rides and outdoor games in the park
  • 1:30-3pm: music in the Field house with locally based Jazz Quartet.

Admission, sleigh rides, hot chocolate and coffee are FREE.

Food and Beverages: There will be a Chili cookoff, baked goodies, juice, hotdogs and more for sale in the Fieldhouse kitchen. Please bring a little cash. Debit/credit machines are NOT available.

Volunteers make it happen! We need help with outdoor games, setup and cleanup, lunch counter, ticket sales, and donations of baked goods. Call out for chefs to bring their best chili dish of course! Please contact Erin and Kelly if you can help out in any way at erintopping@hotmail.com or 613-799-1770.

The Kichi Sibi Winter Trail team will be out for the fun. More info about the trail can be found at www.wintertrail.ca

Rink will be operating as per normal. As an indoor event, organizers urge everyone to follow public health guidelines.

[Sleigh Ride at 2023 Winter Carnival]
Sleigh with Winter Carnival 2023 visitors on the former Pontiac Street Christmas Tree crossing. Photo by AGMS.

Community Association Board Meeting Agenda – January 9

Agenda

Champlain Park Community Association (CPCA) Board Meeting

Tuesday January 9, 2024
7:30 PM via Google Meet
Everybody Welcome

Board meetings will have an open session for community residents to observe business discussions. Non board community members will also be invited to participate at certain times by the chair and there will be “in camera” topics for the board members only. Please contact the secretary via champlainpark@gmail.com to request a link to join the meeting.

Open session

  1. Approval of minutes of November 20, 2023 – Liz- 2 minutes
  2. AGM Preparation
    Technical arrangements – Alex
    Facilitation arrangements – Liz
    Review of draft agenda – All
  3. Other Business
  4. Next Meeting

Agenda last updated at 22:02 on January 3. Contact the secretary to add topics.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Oops, with the lack of snow I forgot to repost this, but yes, Christmas trees are still welcome. Also see the related tweet from the Winter Trail people.

– Alex

Recycle your 🌲 Tree at the Champlain Park Baseball Diamond, anytime in January!!

Give your old Christmas tree a ‘second life’ by donating it to the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail. Trees will be used to create wind breaks and safety barriers/cordons at various locations along the Winter Trail at Remic Rapids. Trees can be brought to the North East corner of the Champlain Park baseball diamond or to Remic Rapids anytime in January, 2024. The Winter Trail team will then make sure they get to where they are needed.

[Christmas trees stacked up against the baseball diamond fence at Champlain Park, Ottawa, ready for a bonfire or windbreak]

Thank you from the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail Team, and happy skiing!

Community Sleigh Ride – Cancelled

I’ve just received a sad report that the community sleigh ride has been cancelled due to excessive rain. Thanks to Jim C. for organizing it.

Freezing rain last year, and this year just plain too much rain at the scheduled time. One of these years the weather will get the precipitation type right and we’ll have snow in December! There’s a second chance for a sleigh ride at the Winter Carnival in January, which turned out quite well last year.

– Alex

[Sleigh Ride at 2023 Winter Carnival]
Sleigh with Winter Carnival 2023 visitors on the former Pontiac Street Christmas Tree crossing. Photo by AGMS.

Memorial Tree Dedication and Reception for Amy Steele (Kempster) – December 17

Champlain Park, the FCA and GA invite you to join a tribute to Amy Steele (Kempster)

Amy was a passionate defender of Ottawa’s Neighbourhoods and the Environment

Date: December 17th, 2023
Time: 1:45 pm to 5:00 pm

Activities:

1:45 pm, Tree dedication ceremony
Meet at Amy’s tree, north east end of Champlain Park (site map overleaf)

2:30 to 5:00 pm, Reception
Reception in the Champlain Park Fieldhouse
140 Carleton Avenue (Enter from Cowley Avenue)
Light refreshments provided

[Portrait of Amy Steele (Kempster), photo of the memorial tree and detail of the plaque]
Invitation.pdf