By Isabella Disley
The only appropriate way to celebrate the nation’s capital’s 200th anniversary is to take over the city with an extensive range of activities and parties that appreciate the city’s culture. On April 29 at the Ottawa Art Gallery, the City of Ottawa announced the recipients of $600,000 worth of Ottawa 200 grant funding to bring the celebrations alive, including $25,000 to the Ottawa Sport Council to organize a free Two Days. Everyone Plays. event.
“This year is a very, very special year for our city,” Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe highlighted at the press conference. “These investments are designed to make sure that no matter where you live in Ottawa, no matter where you are this year, you will have an opportunity to be a part of these celebrations.
“Throughout this special year, you will see Ottawa 200 come to life, in neighbourhoods, on main streets, in parks and in community spaces across the city. This year is about celebrating together.”
Run by the OSC alongside the City of Ottawa Recreation, Cultural and Facilities Services department, Sports 200: Two Days. Everyone Plays. will take place on June 6-7 alongside the Doors Open Ottawa weekend and National Health and Fitness Day.
It will include a wide range of sports opportunities throughout Ottawa, hosted community sports organizations as well as City-run programs. OSC executive director Frances Mercer said it’s a great chance for families to check out the sports clubs and facilities in their neighbourhoods, or to try less common niche sports they’ve never experienced before.
Alongside public art displays, heritage and multicultural festivals, community association block parties and many other activities, Mercer underlined the importance of sport being involved in the Ottawa 200 celebrations.
“I think it’s really about connecting the families. Sport brings everyone into the space, whether it’s a field, a gymnasium, or a pool,” Mercer explained. “It not only creates friendships amongst youth and children, but it creates friendships amongst parents and guardians, building a strong community, and bringing people together.”
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The most impactful element of Two Days. Everyone Plays. is its affordability and accessibility, Mercer added. The multitude of sports sessions are completely free, and all the equipment is provided. Ensuring that inclusive sports opportunities for all abilities are offered will be a priority.
“This is a real driver to showing that sport belongs to everyone, and with collaboration, amongst many different community partners, we can make that happen,” Mercer indicated. “We’re building a legacy to show how to do that.”
While Ottawa 200 provided the catalyst to make Two Days. Everyone Plays. happen, it’s an idea that the OSC has had in mind for some time, noted Mercer, who consulted with Sport Calgary about the similar initiatives they’ve run multiple times each year for more than a dozen years. She feels this year’s event in Ottawa will be the first of many.
“It has always been a vision of the Ottawa Sport Council to really showcase the power of sport to connect. To have the city of Ottawa’s 200th anniversary, it seemed to be the best opportunity to kind of build the foundation of what this event would be,” Mercer signalled.
“With all of us coming together and really making it happen, it’s been fast, but really good.
“We’re looking at opportunities to really showcase the history around sport, how sport was played 200 years ago, and the importance of our diverse population and community and the role that everyone has in sport. It’s really special.”
Mercer noted that the OSC is currently recruiting community sports hosts interested in hosting an event to gain exposure for their sport, introduce their offerings to participants in an accessible manner, and to be part of the celebration, via their website at SportOttawa.ca. A City of Ottawa event webpage will follow in mid-May listing the free Sports 200: Two Days. Everyone Plays. opportunities the public can register for.