Category: Community News

A collection of all the news items about the people and happenings in Champlain Park.

Community Association Board Meeting Agenda – September 23

Champlain Park Community Association (CPCA) Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 23, 2025
7:00 PM via Google Meet
Everybody Welcome

Agenda items are limited to 5 minutes unless otherwise requested.

This is a meeting of the CPCA Board of Directors. Champlain Park Community members are welcome to attend, if you would like to propose items for discussion, to ask questions, to organize an event or activity, or to learn more about the issues affecting our community.

Activities and Issues must fall within our community plan/areas of operation in order to be addressed by the CPCA. You can write to the webmaster champlainpark@gmail.com to request a link to join the meeting and/or to connect you with the appropriate Board member for information and guidance including how to submit a Community Project Proposal.

  1. Approval of June Minutes
  2. Interim Motions/Decisions:
    August: Ping Pong Table 3 Up to $700 (spent $542)
  3. Motion to Appoint Interim Secretary – Lynne
  4. Community Members’ Agenda Items
  5. AGM 2025 Planning – Lynne & everyone to assist in planning, 20 minutes
  6. Financial Update (savings including GIC’s and current account) – Lynne
  7. Guidelines for Surplus Funds Expenditures Draft – Lynne, 10 min
  8. Parks Committee Update – Joanne
  9. Community meeting to discuss Parks update and plans – Richard
  10. Tunney’s Pasture redevelopment update – Heather
  11. New zoning bylaw final comments due by Oct. 3. Recommend that residents try to attend one of the upcoming Open Houses – Heather
  12. Motion to Sign Letter Request for Increased Funding for Support Services in Supportive Housing – Heather
  13. Bob Grainger’s book on the history of Champlain Park – Alex
  14. Update on Historical Photos on Fieldhouse walls – Richard
  15. Traffic Safety Committee update – Bill
  16. Project Proposal Forms Updated (but not yet on website) – Lynne
  17. Update on Google Drive and Meet – Alex, Lynne, Anita Info
  18. Engaging Community re: Spending Surplus Monies – Everyone
  19. Other business
  20. Next Meeting

Agenda last updated on September 22 17:30. Please contact the secretary to add topics.

Island Park Drive Walking Tour – September 21

Heritage Ottawa recently posted about a walking tour of Island Park Drive history that may be of interest to Champlain Park residents. Visit https://shop.heritageottawa.org/en/2025-walking-tour-season to sign up, and for details about time and place.

[Picture of Island Park Drive on garbage collection day, for a 2025 walking tour]

A heritage asset of the National Capital Commission opened in 1923, Island Park Drive was designed to extend the Capital parkway system, which continues to preserve the original design intentions as well as many of the original homes along its entire length. As one of Ottawa’s most prestigious historical neighbourhoods, Island Park Drive has been home to many prominent Canadians who contributed significantly to the economic and cultural development of Ottawa. Residents have included legendary jeweller Jack Snow, printing tycoon Rolla Law Crain, W.H. Taylor Arkley, “the tailor,” and Daniel and Lucy Rochester, and Dr. Stafford Kirkpatrick, a Queen’s University metallurgical genius.

The guide is Jennifer Hornby Gillespie, a long-time resident, long-time board director and Past-President of the Island Park Community Association, who worked for 30 years in the technology sector.

Tunney’s Pasture Draft Plan of Subdivision

The next step in bringing the Tunney’s Pasture Master Plan from vision to reality is now underway. The Draft Plan of Subdivision (DPS) application for the site has been submitted to the City of Ottawa and documents are available for the public’s review and input on the City’s DevApps site.

The Draft Plan of Subdivision is an important step in bringing to life our vision for transforming Tunney’s Pasture from a single-use employment centre into a vibrant transit-oriented and sustainable mixed-use community that is integrated with surrounding neighbourhood.

It shows things like:

  • Where roads, parks, and pathways will go.
  • How the land will be divided into blocks or lots for future housing, offices, community amenities, or public spaces.
  • How services like water, sewer, and electricity will be laid out.

The DPS sets the groundwork before any detailed building designs are made. Once the plan of subdivision is approved, future development can move forward in a way that is consistent with the overall Master Plan, helping us deliver much-needed housing to the community!

Share Your Thoughts

Councillor Jeff Leiper will be hosting a public meeting on September 22 between 6:30 – 8:30 pm to hear feedback and answer questions from residents.

6:30 to 7:30 pm – Residents can drop-in and view project boards
7:30 to 8:30 pm – Residents can partake in a Town Hall question and answer period

Location: Wellington Room
Hintonburg Community Centre
1064 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Y3

Stay Involved

We encourage you to review the application summary and reports and use the button on the page to send your feedback to the City by Friday, October 3rd.

Ping Pong – September 4

The Ping-pong / table tennis club will be resuming in September on the first (September 4) and third (September 18) Thursday of the month, 7pm to 9pm.

  • Kids should be accompanied by adults
  • We now have 3 ping pong tables.
  • Bring your paddle & balls but we do have extra paddles and balls.
  • There is no cost but you do have to be a member of the Champlain Park community association.
[20250206 First Meeting of the Ping Pong Club at Champlain Park]
First meeting of the Ping Pong Club at the Champlain Park Fieldhouse, February 6, 2025.

There’s also games night on the second Thursday of the month. See the original games post for details.

Yoga Class Starting

As of September 4th, both classes are full with a waiting list. Thanks for the amazing response! We’re thinking of adding another class in January.

YOGA time again. The fall yoga session will begin Monday September 8 and run until Monday November 24 (no classes on October 13 and November 10)
The one-hour sessions are either at 6:00 pm or 7:30 pm.

[Generic yoga picture from Laurie - standing on one leg and pulling the other foot with a hand]

10 classes in total taught by master instructor Sandy Joanisse.

This session will be Yin yoga- with an emphasis on deep stretching, mindfulness and relaxation. Poses are held for longer periods to improve flexibility.

The price for the session will be set once I know the number of participants. Sorry no drop-in classes available.

If you’re interested please send me an email indicating which time you want. Please sign up if you’re sure you can take part. It’s a hassle chasing down folks who sign up, change their mind amd don’t let me know.

Thanks
lauriefagan59@gmail.com

Please see the general Yoga Page for more details.

Also posted at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChamplainPark/posts/2206303229852755/

Games Night – August 14

Come and join us for a fun community Game Night! Spend time with friends and neighbours and play games at the air conditioned Field House on Thursday August 14 from 7-9 pm. See the original post for details.

Open to all Champlain Park members who are at least 10 years of age. If you are not an active member, membership of Champlain Park Community Association can be purchased online. Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult.

Also the Ping-pong / table tennis club will be resuming in September on the first (September 4) and third (September 18) Thursday of the month, 7pm to 9pm.

  • Kids should be accompanied by adults
  • We now have 3 ping pong tables.
  • Bring your paddle & balls but we do have extra paddles and balls.
  • There is no cost but you do have to be a member of the Champlain Park community association.
[20241212 Playing Spirit Island at the Champlain Park field house games night]
Playing Spirit Island at the Champlain Park field house games night, December 2024.
I had asked which game was most complex in the stack of available games, and this one came out on top. So our table tried playing it. I’m still not sure about how the combat system works.

Update from Neighbours for Tunney’s

Neighbours for Tunney’s has another newsletter update on the Tunney’s Pasture redevelopment plan. Quoting from it, the first three results from their recent survey are:

  1. Prioritize green space and parks – Since a majority of respondents emphasized the need for parks and recreational areas, planners should ensure ample green space is integrated into the design, with features like playgrounds, walking paths, natural areas and seating areas (Ottawa’s Official plans outline targets).
  2. Facilitate grocery store development – The strong demand for grocery stores suggests engaging with grocery retailers early to establish convenient access to fresh food and everyday essentials.
  3. Invest in recreation and sports facilities – Including a multi-use recreation center, swimming pool, skating rink, and/or sports field would address a major community desire for accessible sport, fitness and leisure options (Ottawa’s official Recreation plan includes targets).

The newsletter has the rest of the top ten, a link to more detailed survey results, and ideas on what to do next.

The Comedy of Errors – Summary

We had a good Theatre in the park event yesterday.

Treats provided by Heather and company from the community association were given away before the play. Looks like we had just the right amount – almost ran out just before the play started.

[20250719 Treats for The Comedy of Errors in the park]

We had a decently sized audience anticipating the start of the show, a Shakespearean Comedy of Errors story overlaid with game world character stylings.

[20250719 Audience awaiting the start of The Comedy of Errors in the park]

It dripped rain for a few minutes in the middle, but that didn’t stop the show. Fortunately there very few bugs to bother the audience. It all worked out in the play too, ending with the castle flag being raised and fireworks over the towers.

– Alex