City of Ottawa's Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund, TD Park Grant and Other Updates

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Rideau-Goulbourn was home to multiple Winter Carnivals including Fallowfield Village's Annual Winter Carnival, Manotick's Shiverfest, Munster Winter Carnival and North Gower's 56th Winter Carnival. Thank you to Grace Thrasher from the Manotick Village & Community Association for the photo from Shiverfest and to Jessica Breckenridge from the Munster Community Association for the photo from the Munster Winter Carnival. For more photos from Winter Carnivals in Rideau-Goulbourn, visit: www.facebook.com/rideaugoulbourn.

Rideau-Goulbourn was home to multiple Winter Carnivals including Fallowfield Village's Annual Winter Carnival, Manotick's Shiverfest, Munster Winter Carnival and North Gower's 56th Winter Carnival. Thank you to Grace Thrasher from the Manotick Village & Community Association for the photo from Shiverfest and to Jessica Breckenridge from the Munster Community Association for the photo from the Munster Winter Carnival. For more photos from Winter Carnivals in Rideau-Goulbourn, visit: www.facebook.com/rideaugoulbourn.

The City of Ottawa is asking residents to weigh-in on how to spend more than $450,000 in the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund. Residents can have their say by completing an online survey. The Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund Consultation Questionnaire is available on ottawa.ca from January 24 to February 16.

Money in the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund is generated through a voluntary surcharge paid by private transportation companies (PTC), such as Uber Canada. The surcharge was implemented because many PTCs cannot currently accommodate persons who use mobility devices including power wheelchairs and scooters.

Money from the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund will be spent to support accessible transportation in the city of Ottawa. These programs and services may include:

  • accessible transportation services provided directly by wheelchair accessible vehicles such as OC Transpo, Para Transpo and taxis
  • City and community-based programs and services that support or enhance the ability of persons of all ages with physical disabilities who require the use of a mobility device to move around the city regardless of the mode(s) of transportation used

In order to receive funding from the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund, programs and services must also be:

  • accessible
  • safe
  • available
  • affordable
  • timely
  • sustainable

An information package that includes background, details and definitions of all these terms can be found on the public consultation page of ottawa.ca. Please note that I have encouraged Rural Ottawa South Support Services to seek funding through this Fund to help with their transportation efforts. Similar suggestions from residents in the rural area would go a long way.

Barnsdale Road & Prince of Wales Drive

As a reminder, there is an open house upcoming to discuss plans for a roundabout at the intersection of Barnsdale Road & Prince of Wales Drive. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in 2019 pending budget approval.

The open house is scheduled for Thursday, February 15th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and will be held at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority building at 3889 Rideau Valley Drive. For more information, please visit www.rideaugoulbourn.ca/barnsdaleroundabout. Any comments may be sent to Kunjan Ghimire via email at [email protected] or by phone at 613-580-2424, ext. 21685. Comment on this open house should be submitted by Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

TD Park Grant

The TD Park People grant program was created to support community groups to host events in urban parks or public green spaces. Through this grant, TD hopes to lay the groundwork for long-term sustainable community partnerships in parks across each of the selected cities (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa). Groups who demonstrate the ability to successfully organize and host events, as well as sustain their group beyond this grant cycle, are encouraged to apply.

Their expectation is that successful applicants host at least three events between April and December 2018 with each event open to all members of the larger community. Eligible groups include volunteer-based park groups, local agencies, resident associations and non-profits that are active in their local parks.

Eligible expenses include honoraria for volunteers, event materials, supplies and equipment, printing of promotional materials with provided templates. Essentially, any reasonable event expense can be covered by the grant.

To apply, visit https://parkpeople.ca/parkgrants/. Applications are due by the end of the day on March 5, 2018. Funding decisions will be made in April, with cheques sent in May.

Richmond 200 Events

Richmond is currently celebrating its bicentennial. A variety of exciting events have been planned for 2018, including but not limited to:

  • Major Events Weekend (June 15-18, 2018)
  • Richmond’s Got Talent
  • Canoe Race
  • Curling Bonspiel
  • Historical Display
  • Genealogy Workshop
  • Car Rally/ Scavenger Hunt
  • Fashion Show

I am also currently working with the Potsdam Junior Hockey Association and Richmond Munster Minor Hockey Association on celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the original Silver Stick Tournament that was held in Richmond in February 1958. Games are tentatively scheduled between the two clubs for Sunday, February 25th between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm followed by the Richmond Royals Junior B game vs. Winchester Hawks. We are still confirming which teams will be playing.

For more information on these events, please visit: richmond200.ca.

Community Dancing in Manotick

 Interested in a fun, interactive session of dance, laughter & music? Join the Ever Hopeful Stringband and caller Pippa Hall for a family-friendly, alcohol-free evening of community dancing, including circles, squares and contras on Friday, February 23rd from 7:00pm to 9:30pm at the Manotick United Church. Each dance is taught and the whole family is invited. The evening begins with simple dances, followed by dances that build on skills as the evening progresses. Adults are $10, children aged 12-18 are $5 and anyone under 12 is free. There is a family max of $20. For more information, please call 613-692-4576 or visit http://dance.manotick.net.

Shrove Tuesday

On February 13th, from 5:00pm to 7:30pm at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre, come and enjoy a hearty supper of pancakes and syrup, ham, sausages, baked beans, fruit salad and homemade pies, with coffee, tea, juice or water. Cost is just $10 per adult, $5 children 6-12, and children 5 and under free. This supper is hosted by Holy Trinity Anglican Church, North Gower. For more info, call 613-489-2207.

Munster United Church 7th Annual Spaghetti Dinner

The Munster United Church invites you to their 7th Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, February 24th between 4:30pm and 7:30pm. Your spaghetti dinner includes a Caesar salad, rolls, ice cream, cookies and coffee or tea. Gluten free pasta is also available.

There is no charge for the dinner but the church will be accepting donations. Take out is also available. The Munster United Church’s youth group will be on hand collecting tips for Big Sky Ranch.

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.