IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
The Abilities Centre Ottawa will be a fully-integrated, inclusive, multi-purpose and accessible recreation facility designed to meet the needs of ALL individuals and families.
What's Up
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Announce Five-Year Partnership
OTTAWA –In its first step today to establish programming in a new community and recreation centre, the Abilities Centre Ottawa and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities announced a long-term partnership in support of children and youth, regardless of ability, to engage in a life of sport and physical activity.
The Abilities Centre Ottawa, a major component of the proposed redevelopment of LeBreton Flats, is scheduled to be a 125,000-square foot fully integrated, fully accessible, inclusive, multi-purpose recreation and community facility for people of all ages and all abilities.
Proposed LeBreton Flats Abilities Centre 'a place for all,' proponents say
DON BUTLER, OTTAWA CITIZEN
The Abilities Centre, most would agree, is one of the more appealing elements of RendezVous LeBreton’s redevelopment proposal for LeBreton Flats.
A big heart for a good cause
9-year-old Will Riley is making a difference one bottle at a time. For over the past two years, Will has been collecting bottles with all of the proceeds going to the Abilities Centre project in Ottawa. To date, Will has raised over $1400.00, and has no plans of stopping anytime soon! On December 9th Will and his family visited the Abilities Centre in Whitby for the first time and said they were awe struck by the beauty and thoughtfulness that went into every design decision to make the facility accessible for everyone.
View The Interviews on CTV News
The ACO Facility
The centerpiece of Ottawa's Abilities Centre will be the Field House.
Board of Directors
The Abilities Centre Ottawa Board of Directors is committed to our mission and vision, and to a sustainable Abilities Centre
Emily Glossop
Emily Glossop is a former member of the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team serving as guide skier to one of Canada's top vision-impaired skiers, (Retired) and winning many World Cup Medals. Emily has dedicated her life and career at the Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre working with children and youth with multiple physical, developmental and associated behavioural needs. She is also a motivational speaker, giving talks locally, nationally and internationally on the importance of physical activity and following your dreams. Emily is the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award and the Growing Up Great Award for Stable and Nurturing Relationships.
Todd Nicholson
Todd Nicholson spent 23 years as a player on the National Paralympic Sledge Hockey Team (Retired), including serving as Captain for 15 years. Todd competed in 5 Winter Paralympic Games, numerous World Championships and international tournaments. He has also spent time coaching at local and national levels. Todd is a governing Board Member for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Chairman of the IPC Athletes Council. For more than 25 years Todd has been a leader in the Paralympic movement nationally and internationally. Todd is the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Queen's Golden and Silver Jubilee medals, Paralympic Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, and in 2014, was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame and received the Athletes Can Leadership Award
Dr. Robert Glossop
Dr. Robert Glossop worked with the Vanier Institute of the Family as a cultural observer studying the dynamics of 'family'. The answers he found shed light on our nation's economy, social trends, culture and, ultimately, our prospects. His writings, speeches, and analyses have addressed a broad range of themes relevant to today's society. He is the recipient of the Lawson Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, Honorary Doctorates from the University of Guelph and Trent University and he was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2008.
Collinda Joseph
Collinda Joseph has been working in the area of disability advocacy and accessibility to the built environment for over 25 years. Collinda has been a volunteer at the local, provincial and national level. She is currently sitting as a full voting member of the Canadian Standards Association B-651 Technical Committee on Accessibility of the Built Environment. Outside of the area of the built environment, Collinda's committee participation has included the Algonquin College Board of Governors, the Celebration of People Steering Committee, the City of Ottawa Accessibility Advisory Committee as well as several others. Collinda was awarded the Community Leader Award in Memory of Cathy Kerr in 2014 and in 2013 she was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Terry Christopher
After graduating from St. Francis Xavier University and the Maritime School of Social Work, Mr. Christopher became a full-time member of the Royal Canadian Navy and later the Canadian Forces. His meritorious service in the Canadian Forces was acknowledged in 1982 when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Military Merit and he was awarded the Royal Victorian Order by Her Majesty the Queen in 1994. He was the Manager of the Canadian Reception Centre, which acts as the entry point for all distinguished guests and Canadians who arrive in Ottawa by air. He has served with distinction to the Royal Family, four governors general and prime ministers as well as presidents and prime ministers from other lands. He was appointed Usher of the Black Rod on December 9, 2002, (ret'd March 5, 2008) the first naval officer in Canadian history to hold this post.
Barbara Mitchell
Barbara Mitchell is the Director of Programming and Development of YOUCAN, working with Youth and providing services to equip youth to engage and inspire others to peacefully resolve conflicts and develop healthy relationships in their communities. Barbara is a member of PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network) sitting on its national steering committee providing a community based agency perspective. She is actively involved in her community including supporting initiatives at Adult HS and coordinating donations to local charities.
Steve Burwash
Steve Burwash has worked for over 20 years in finance in both private and public sector. He has a financial background in both civil aviation and defense sectors. He brings solid credentials in global finance, acquisitions & integration and operations, but feels the more important lessons learned have been in customer satisfaction, team building and relationship development.
Contact Abilities Centre Ottawa
1339 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
Canada
K1Y 3B8
Tel: (613) 222-3207
abilitiescentreottawa@gmail.com