Category Archives: Recreation

Holiday hours for the City of Guelph facilities and programs. Continue reading Easter holiday hours for City facilities and services

Mark your calendar! Registration day is Wednesday, March 6 (starting at 7:30 a.m.) for spring and summer City recreation programs. Continue reading March 6 is registration day for spring/summer recreation programs

The City of Guelph’s Limitless Guelph program is receiving a 2019 PRO Award of Excellence from Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO). Continue reading Limitless Guelph receives PRO Award of Excellence

On March 2 and 3, 2019, the City of Guelph, Guelph Table Tennis Club and Guelph Wellington Seniors Association will co-host Guelph’s second annual table tennis tournament. Youth tournament (ages 12 to 18) Saturday, March 2, 2019 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m. Fee: $5 Code: 223824 Open doubles tournament (ages 12 and older) Saturday, March 2, 2019 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m. Fee: $7.50 Code: 223826 Open singles tournament (ages 12 and older) Sunday, March 3, 2019 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m. Fee: $7.50 Code: 223825 The two-day event will take place at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre, 683 Woolwich Street. Register online now! Registration is open to residents living in the city of Guelph or Wellington County. Deadline for registration is Friday, February 15, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. Maximum number… Continue reading Guelph Table Tennis Tournament

Staff will make the decision by 2 p.m. if sports fields are to be closed for the duration of the day and evening. Continue reading Sports field status

Starting Monday, October 29, the City of Guelph is making adjustments to its fall recreational swim schedule. Continue reading City makes changes to fall swim schedule

Guelph, Ont., September 12, 2018 – Families visiting Guelph’s Victoria Road Recreation Centre this weekend will notice some new play features outside of the facility. As part of the City’s Energize Guelph initiative, a year-round outdoor play space is being installed this week on the grassy area between the facility and parking lot. “The new outdoor space compliments the facility’s indoor programming and further encourages children and families to embrace play and recreation as part of their daily lives,” says Eric Pool, supervisor of Programs and Community Development. Play features include chalk and music walls, an arts and craft station with log tables and chairs, a log tunnel, a small stage with ramp, and benches. Shade and quiet spaces are available at the nearby courtyard.… Continue reading Outdoor play features arrive at Victoria Road Rec Centre

Fall and winter registration starts Wednesday, August 29 at 7:30 a.m. Registering online? Have your PIN and login ID/Client numbers ready. Call 519-837-5699 if you need one. Fall 2018 and winter 2019 programs Download the Guelph Community Guide or pick it up at City Hall or any City recreation facility or  library branch location. To view fall/winter leisure and recreation programs in an accessible format visit regexpress.guelph.ca. Registration begins Wednesday, August 29 at 7:30 a.m. Regular hours apply after August 29.

Parking lot and sidewalk repairs begin July 2 UPDATE: Paving at Evergreen Seniors Community Centre will be delayed by two days. The parking lot will open on or about August 9, weather permitting. Guelph, Ont., June 18, 2018 – Starting July 2, the City of Guelph will begin repairs of the parking lot and sidewalk at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre, located at 683 Woolwich Street. The work includes: Parking lot repairs and repaving Sidewalk replacement Lighting installation Garage waterproofing repairs As a result of this work, the parking lot and facility will close to the public for about six weeks. The Evergreen Restaurant will also temporarily close as of June 28 at 1 p.m. During the facility closure, the City will do general maintenance… Continue reading Evergreen seniors facility to close for six weeks

operating hours for Guelph’s outdoor swimming pool, splash pads and wading pools Continue reading Outdoor pools and splash pads

June 28, 2018 The new Riverside Park playground is open! The updated play area offers a new playground featuring a tube slide, tower, swings and climbing obstacles. New asphalt pathways, seating areas and a combination of rubber and wood surfaces for kids to play on surround the new playground.        

Canada Day weekend fun in Margaret Greene and Exhibition parks Guelph, Ont., June 25, 2018 – Get ready kids, the City is expanding its popular Park Activation program by introducing two activation stations in Margaret Greene and Exhibition parks. “Park activation introduces new and unique ways for families to use park spaces, makes it easier for children to get active, and helps to improve a child’s physical and mental well-being. We’re excited to add the activation stations for a truly interactive park experience,” says Rachel Guerin, project specialist with Energize Guelph. The activation stations—modified shipping containers—arrive later this summer and when they do they’ll be open to the public, weather permitting, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.… Continue reading Activating Guelph’s parks

June 8, 2018 The City has posted an update on the detail design project of the South End Community Centre. The update includes an artist’s interpretation of what the inside and outside of the building may look like once built. Report

Guelph, Ont., May 28, 2018 – It’s time to celebrate, get active and try something new as June marks Recreation and Parks Month, International Trails Day, and Seniors’ Month in Guelph. Throughout the month, we’re offering free activities so you can discover all that Guelph has to offer indoors at our recreation facilities and outdoors in our beautiful parks. Practice your serve at one of our many tennis/pickleball courts, spark imagination and creativity at your neighbourhood park, have fun with your little one at our preschool drop in, participate in a kettlebell or aquafit class, or join in a free swim at one of our indoor pools. June also marks the opening of our splash pads, wading pools and Lyon Leisure Pool. On Saturday, June… Continue reading Get active, try something new

Hey, students and parents! Check this out. The Leadership Aquatic program, a partnership between the City and Upper Grand District School Board, is designed for high school students who want to receive the necessary training to become employed as a lifeguard and/or swim instructor. Students enrolled in the program also receive an aquatic physical education credit (course code PAQ402) and a recreation and healthy active leadership credit (course code PLF4M2) towards their high school diploma. Benefits The program is an opportunity for students to receive lifelong leadership and valuable job skills. Students in the program provide water safety education and conduct swimming lessons by volunteering with elementary school children. At the end of the semester, students are job ready and can attend a hiring screening… Continue reading Guelph’s Leadership Aquatic program for high school students

Download it now or pick it up March 9 at City Hall, River Run Centre,West End Community Centre, Victoria Road Recreation Centre, Evergreen Seniors Community Centre and library branches in Guelph. Continue reading Register for spring/summer recreation programs starting March 7

Guelph, Ont., January 25, 2018 – The City of Guelph has introduced  a single-application process for residents who are applying for a subsidy program like the Affordable Buss Pass, Fee Assistance in Recreation (FAIR) and animal licensing. “This new process makes it much easier for our residents when filling out the paperwork,” says Alex Goss, manager of Community Investment. “The one application saves time and reduces the need for our residents to share sensitive information over and over again.” Residents can apply for the City’s subsidy programs online at guelph.ca under the How can we help you? tab. Residents can also download the application, fill it out and return it to Service Guelph at City Hall, the West End Community Centre, Victoria Road Recreation Centre,… Continue reading City improves application process for subsidy programs

Hockey tournament being rescheduled Guelph, Ont., December 9, 2017—Around 2:15 p.m. this afternoon, there was a minor ammonia leak at Exhibition Arena. A girl’s hockey tournament was underway when the leak was discovered. Everyone was safely evacuated and no injuries or illnesses were reported. “The leak has been found, stopped and is being repaired,” says Heather Flaherty, general manager of Parks and Recreation for the City of Guelph. “We’re working with the tournament coordinators to arrange delivery of items left in change rooms during the evacuation, and to reschedule the tournament.” Safety systems installed at the arena alerted staff to the issue which allowed them to act quickly to ensure everyone’s safety. Staff followed emergency protocols in place as per their training to safely evacuate… Continue reading Minor ammonia leak closes Exhibition Arena

Guelph, Ont., November 15, 2017 – The City of Guelph is pleased to announce MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (MJMA) as the successful bidder for the South End Community Centre detailed design work. MJMA, a Toronto-based multidisciplinary design firm that specializes in projects that advance personal and civic wellness, was selected from 13 submissions received as part of the City’s Request for Proposal. “We’re excited to work with MJMA—a company that has a 30-year legacy of design excellence in aquatic, arena, sport and recreation projects,” says Heather Flaherty, general manager of Parks and Recreation, adding that MJMA has designed more than 25 facilities across Canada with similar amenities proposed for the South End Community Centre. Over the next few months, the project team, community stakeholders, and MJMA… Continue reading City hires architect for South End Community Centre detailed design

Guelph, Ont., October 2, 2017– The City of Guelph has received grants totalling $115,400 from the Ministry of Seniors Affairs. The grants will help offset day-to-day operating and maintenance costs at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre and West End Community Centre. In addition, two special grants, totalling $30,000, will cover items not funded by the maintenance and operating grants. At the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre, the $15,000 special grant will pay for promotional signs for the Guelph-Wellington Seniors Association travel group, seating for the front lobby, chairs for the boardroom, fitness equipment for strength training and balance, brochure printing costs, training equipment, and First Aid certification training for volunteers. The $15,000 special grant for the West End Community Centre will pay for fitness equipment for… Continue reading City receives $115,400 from Ontario government

August 11, 2017 Staff report – June 6, 2017 – PS-17-10 The City has updated its approach to wading pools and splash pads as it prepares to address aging infrastructure, water use, and future community outdoor recreational needs. This approach includes closing Guelph’s aging wading pools in Sunny Acres, Mico Valeriote and Exhibition parks and replacing them with a splash pad and/or other park amenity. The three wading pools have reached the end of their service life and require significant capital investment to maintain and keep them operational. The wading pools were built in 1947 (Sunny Acres), 1974 (Mico Valeriote) and 1970s (Exhibition). Before the wading pools are removed, park master plans will need to be completed and approved by Guelph City Council. As always,… Continue reading Guelph updates its approach to wading pools, splash pads

Guelph, Ont., June 20, 2017 – The media and community are invited to join us on Saturday, June 24, as we host a grand reopening celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the newly renovated Victoria Road Recreation Centre, 151 Victoria Road North. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off the celebrations, followed by family-friendly activities, community displays and self-guided facility tours. Residents are also invited to take in a free public swim in the Victor Davis Pool between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The aging and outdated recreation facility, built in 1974, was renovated between March 2016 and June 2017 to improve accessibility, security, customer service, and to offer new programming space for leisure and recreation programs. For more information on the project, visit… Continue reading Celebrate the grand reopening of Guelph’s Victoria Road Recreation Centre

Guelph, Ont., April 27, 2017 – You are invited to witness the opening of a 43-year-old time capsule found deep within the walls of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre. The capsule opening will take place on Monday, May 1 at 1 p.m. in Council Chambers. “There’s a lot of excitement and speculation as to what we might find inside the capsule,” says Heather Flaherty, general manager of Parks and Recreation. Contractors working on the $15.1 million Victoria Road Recreation Centre renovation project discovered the time capsule last August when they moved the cornerstone and it cracked, exposing the medium-size brass box. Although there’s no known record of a time capsule being buried at the time of construction in 1973, Flaherty says there was some inkling… Continue reading Time capsule reveal set for Monday

Guelph, Ont., Wednesday, April 26, 2017 – For the past two decades, the Guelph Community Pottery Centre has never had a studio space to call its own; that all changed earlier this month when the pottery centre relocated from a shared space to a newly renovated facility at 14 Edinburgh Road South. “Having a dedicated, permanent teaching space allows us to offer more pottery classes, workshops and open studio, giving the community more opportunity to get involved in the art of pottery. We’re also excited to use the outdoor green space for programming and pottery art exhibits,” says Tonie Sacchetti, recreation program coordinator at the City. The pottery centre, located within a short walk from a Guelph Transit stop, is equipped with 10 electric pottery… Continue reading Guelph Community Pottery Centre finds new permanent home

April 13, 2017 Construction crews have been busy with the following aspects of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre renovation. Behind the scenes As of April 11, 2017, a summary of the work completed or underway. Pool Pool gutters filled and water tightness test conducted Installation of ceramic tile in teaching pool complete Myrtha insert liner installation ongoing Bulkhead assembly and installation New LED lights installed Filtration room assembly underway Pool Filter room work ongoing Change room hallway painted and tiled Acoustic tile installation to begin New addition Ceiling drywall underway Masonry work completed in vestibule Painting in all rooms ongoing Glass installed in hallways Door installation underway Arena Arena board replacement underway New dehumidification unit to be installed prior to grand reopening Third floor Millwork… Continue reading April marks one year construction anniversary of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre renovation

March 16, 2017 Construction crews have been busy with the following aspects of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre renovation. Behind the scenes As of March 14, 2017, a summary of the work completed or underway. Pool New pool deck drainage complete Teaching pool forming, water and pressure tests complete Preparing teaching pool for ceramic tile Myrtha insert work continuing New anchors installed for diving board placement Lockers in place in change rooms Painting continues  New addition Curtain wall complete Bulkhead work ongoing in lobby and along pool wall Metal roof work almost complete Metal siding install has begun Lobby walls—drywall taping complete  Arena Ice rentals winding up New arena boards to be replaced in April New dehumidification unit to be installed prior to grand reopening Header… Continue reading Go behind the scenes at Victoria Road Recreation Centre

Guelph received the 2017 Municipality of the Year Award from Festivals and Events Ontario Continue reading Guelph wins Festival and Events Ontario’s “Municipality of the Year” award

February 22, 2017 Plans are underway for the June 24 grand reopening of Victoria Road Recreation Centre. Watch for details in the coming weeks. Behind the scenes As of February 22, 2017, a summary of the work completed or underway. New addition Installed remaining curtain wall Sprinkler mains in filtration room installed Roof install underway including gutter tie in Installing rails in elevator shaft and elevator machine room equipment Continue spray foam install along exterior walls Pool Continue Myrtha gutter install, completed lap pool drain pipe install, started pool deck trench drain install, form surge tank lid Ceramic floor tile work in change rooms Locker install in pool change rooms Continued backfilling of lap and teaching pools, excavated for pool deck drain piping Continue installing… Continue reading Plans underway for Victoria Road Recreation Centre grand reopening

The Spring/Summer 2017 Guelph Community Guide is available. Visit guelph.ca/guide to view/download or pick up a hard copy at your local community centre, City Hall or library. Registration for spring/summer recreation and leisure programs begins Wednesday, March 1 at 7:30 a.m. Regular hours apply after March 1. Three ways to register: Online at regexpress.guelph.ca. For first time registrants call 519-837-5699, prior to March 1, to obtain your family PIN account number and personal ID. Phone at 519-837-5699 (TTY 519-826-9771) In person at Centennial Pool, Evergreen Seniors Community Centre, ServiceGuelph and West End Community Centre

Construction crews have been busy with the following aspects of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre renovation. Behind the scenes As of January 31, 2017, a summary of the work completed or underway. New addition Washroom  and waterline main rough-ins  going in Masonry walls continue to be installed Sprinkler pipe install Third floor T-bar ceiling framing Continue spray foam installation of addition exterior walls, fire spray underside of second/third floor mezzanines Begin change room tile floor install Curtain wall install Door frame install continuing on all floors Court yard base plates and steel installed Metal roof install Pool area Underground pool deck drainage piping around pool Continued addition duct install, insulate duct work in addition Teaching pool ramp, bench, and steps formed and poured Continuing Myrtha… Continue reading Construction continues at Victoria Road Recreation Centre

With only 15 weeks left in the main construction schedule, there are many things happening at the Victoria Road Recreation Centre. Behind the scenes As of January 13, 2017, a summary of the work completed or underway. Pool area Teaching pool  has been poured Main pool insert work has begun Change rooms and washrooms are ready for plumbing fixtures and lighting Open areas are awaiting glass glazing Walls have been prepped for acoustic panels Ceiling and duct work has been painted New addition Floor poured Stair treads on all levels to be poured Framing has begun for ne multipurpose room Millwork measurements have been taken for customer service counter Second floor Masonry work continuing Washroom upgrades underway Railing installed Lobby being prepared for concrete pour… Continue reading Countdown is on!

UPDATE: December 2, 2016 – The City’s payment, program registration and overnight parking exemption systems are back up and running today. The City apologizes for yesterday’s inconvenience, and thanks residents and patrons for their patience. *** Guelph, Ont., December 1, 2016 – Today’s electronic system outage is affecting some City services; however, staff is working to get all systems up and running as soon as possible. The payment, registration and overnight parking exemption systems are currently not available. Residents looking to make payments or purchases can pay with cash or cheque. The City is not able to accept debit or credit payments at this time. Currently, the River Run Centre box office is unaffected by this outage. In addition, the City’s program registration system is currently… Continue reading City experiencing electronic system outage

Construction crews have been busy with the following aspects of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre renovation. Behind the scenes As of October 20, 2016, a summary of the work completed or underway. Community engagement survey (recreation programming) continues Partial occupancy of arena—October 15 users on the ice Parking lot lights being installed Courtyard foundation in Masonry work continuing in pool change room area Structural steel going on new addition guelph.ca/vrrcrenovations

Today, October 4, City staff will take over occupancy of the arena and begin preparations for ice making. Ice users will take to the ice on October 15. Construction crews have also been busy with the following aspects of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre renovation. Behind the scenes As of October 4, 2016, a summary of the work completed or underway. Arena ceiling painting complete Washroom partitions at arena change room washrooms Fencing to be installed for arena patrons Courtyard foundation to be formed and poured Onsite structural steel started Duct work at penthouse; rough-in at first floor masonry walls; install water meter guelph.ca/vrrcrenovations

We’re excited to share that four new multi-purpose rooms will be part of the newly renovated Victoria Road Recreation Centre when it opens in late spring 2017. In addition to community use, there is an opportunity to offer registered recreation/leisure programming in these spaces. We want to hear from you Share your opinion on what programs you would like to see by taking our short survey. Note: survey closes Monday, November 7. Your input will assist City staff in developing programming for fall 2017—programming that best reflects the community’s recreational needs. Hard copies of the survey are available at City community centres. Alternate formats are available as per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act by calling 519-822-1260 extension 2677 or TTY 519-826-9771. Provide input now!

Construction crews have been busy with the following aspects of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre renovation. Behind the scenes As of September 6, 2016, a summary of the work completed or underway. All requirements are on track for partial occupancy of arena New LED lighting installed in arena Arena change rooms being painted Emergency lights and exist signs installed in arena Showers tiled Penthouse work ongoing Filter room foundation poured For a behind-the-scenes look, visit guelph.ca/vrrcrenovations

Construction crews have been busy with the following aspects of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre renovation. Behind the scenes As of August 3, 2016, a summary of the work completed or underway. Penthouse roof removed New air handling roof top units installed Structural steel in place for third floor barrier free area West wall foundation poured Stormwater gallery in place New waterline trenching to road Masonry work beginning on third floor As of August 9, 2016, a summary of the work completed or underway. Air handling equipment was craned up to mechanical penthouse Water softeners installed New watermain excavation underway Waterproofing of new addition – West foundation wall in progress Skate tile flooring removal Fire sprinkler system being installed in arena Check out our construction… Continue reading Masonry work begins

Construction crews have been busy with the following aspects of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre renovation. Behind the scenes As of July 18, 2016, a summary of the work completed or underway. Elevator—form, place rebar and pour concrete at elevator shaft Preparation for air handling units to be installed in penthouse Level  and compact granular material at pool change rooms Watermain replacement work underway Arena sprinkler system work ongoing guelph.ca/vrrcrenovations

Over the past two weeks, construction crews have been busy with the following aspects of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre renovation. Behind the scenes A summary of the work completed as of June 13, 2016. Excavation for underpinning – pool filtration room Installation of sanitary services manhole Footings installed for new addition Sprinkler work beginning in Arena Masonry work beginning on second and third floors guelph.ca/vrrcrenovations

policuelph, Ont., July 14, 2016 – Quarterly updates that include budget and progress status are now publicly available for three of the City’s major capital projects. “Consistent public reporting is one aspect of our commitment to evolve our project management practices on large-scale construction projects,” said Scott Stewart, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services. “We’re accountable to manage these projects well and that involves routinely communicating the status of the schedules and budgets.” The updates are available for the City’s capital projects that are considered complex and high risk, based on a number of factors that include price. These factors are listed in a tiered classification framework for project management standards, developed by the City’s Project Management Office. The three projects… Continue reading City publishes quarterly updates on large construction projects

Ontario is investing up to $13,990 in three projects in Guelph and Wellington County through the Seniors Community Grant program, which will help seniors stay connected, active and engaged in their communities. Continue reading Ontario announces year-three Seniors Community Grant recipients

Victoria Road Recreation Centre is a shadow of its former self as work continues on the renovation project. Behind the scenes A summary of the work completed as of June 13, 2016. Main entrance demolition complete Pedestrian entrance ramp demolished to make way for new addition Interior walls at pool level removed for new change rooms Pool filter room equipment removed and demolished for expansion Main lobby demolition complete Plumbing, electrical and mechanical work ongoing New tube heaters installed at arena bleachers New arena lighting roughed in for replacement Existing teaching pool demolished Pool bulkhead removed Mechanical room (penthouse) equipment removed HVAC rough-ins continuing Tile removed from arena level washrooms and showers Storm and sanitary site services installed New hydro duct bank installed for electrical… Continue reading Construction, demolition work well underway

Guelph, Ont., June 7, 2016 – The media is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 9 to mark the opening of Guelph’s first-ever community skatepark. The skateboard facility—located in Silvercreek Park—features a variety of elements to challenge novice through expert riders. The Silvercreek Skatepark combines the best of transition/bowl features (think swimming pool made for skateboarding) with banks, rails, stairs and ledges that riders crave in the streets. The skatepark’s location within a park setting allows for great sightlines, includes shaded areas and is in a central location on a major transportation/bus route that allows for equitable access across the community. The skatepark was built by Gateman Milloy Inc., who was awarded the $905,510 (excluding taxes) project last fall. What Silvercreek Skatepark… Continue reading Silvercreek Skatepark opens Thursday afternoon

On March 31, 2016 Victoria Road Recreation Centre (VRRC) will close to the public for 12 to 15 months while the facility undergoes extensive renovations. Continue reading Council gives final green light for renovations to start

Community invited to participate in kick-off celebration Guelph, Ont., February 10, 2016 – On Friday, February 12, the City of Guelph will launch Energize Guelph, a local initiative of the province’s Healthy Kids Community Challenge. The free kick-off event, from 5 to 8 p.m. inside City Hall, is open to all ages and includes live music, games and activities, and hot chocolate. There will also be ice skating, weather permitting, in Market Square. Energize Guelph representatives will be onsite providing information about the program, which aims to support the well-being of Guelph’s children and youth through the promotion of healthy eating, physical activity and healthy behaviours. What Energize Guelph official launch Who Mayor Cam Guthrie Energize Guelph representatives Various youth bands Where City Hall Galleria/Market… Continue reading City launches Energize Guelph initiative on February 12

Potential site is City-owned land south of Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School Guelph, ON, May 30, 2014 – On June 11, Guelph’s Community and Social Services Committee will receive a staff report recommending a new community centre in the city’s south end—an area that has seen significant population growth. Staff will ask City Council to endorse the proposed location, refer the proposed costs—an estimated $59 million—to the 2015 capital budget process, and direct staff to continue discussions about possible shared space uses with potential partner organizations. The recommendations are based on the results of a citywide needs assessment and feasibility study of existing recreational facilities and programs. “We collaborated with residents and recreational user groups, online and in-person, to determine and develop a plan that… Continue reading City staff recommends community centre for Guelph’s south end