Rural Facilities and Event PlanningBooking of arenas, parks, sportsfields and ball diamonds Booking of arenas, parks, sportsfields and ball diamondsCity Wide Allocations, located at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive, can provide you with information regarding the rental rates and booking of arenas, sportsfields, ball diamonds and park permits. Casual bookings are done on a first-come-first-served basis once the seasonal allocation process is completed. Staff are available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm by phone at 613-580-2595, or by By booking your field or park through City Wide Allocations, you will ensure:
Please note: Some rural community associations have agreements with the City to administer the bookings of specific sportsfields or ball diamonds (not through City Wide Allocations). Please refer to the rural facility contacts chart for information on who to contact depending on the location. Rental of rural halls and buildingsMost city-run recreation centres can provide you with rental information and specifics about their facility. More information and rates can be found on the Parks and Recreation facility rental page. However, some rural community associations have agreements with the City in which they receive funding to maintain and run programs in city-owned buildings or halls within their communities. Please refer to the rural facility contacts chart for information on who to contact depending on your facility requirements. Rural special event resourcesPlanning on holding a special event in your community? Check out the resources below that may be of assistance for certain event planning requirements. Special event applicationThe City’s Event Central division has developed a special events application designed to assist groups in identifying their needs and approvals required to ensure your event planning runs smoothly. The application also identifies the proof of general liability insurance required by the organizers. Application form (PDF format) Questions regarding this collection may be addressed to: Event Central Phone: 613-580-2424 ext.14613 or e-mail eventcentral@ottawa.ca Municipal alcohol policyIf you are planning an event that involves the serving of alcohol on municipal property, please refer to the City of Ottawa’s municipal alcohol policy. The policy outlines the appropriate measures that must be taken by the sponsor hosting an event involving the serving of alcohol on city premises. The ' Your Planning Guide to Hosting an Event ' directs City staff and community partners through the process of booking events where alcohol will be served at premises they supervise. Smart ServeŽ alcohol serving courseThe Smart ServeŽ Ontario program provides a standard method of delivering a responsible service training certificate program to all individuals in the province of Ontario who serve or work where alcohol beverages are sold and served. Certification courses can be completed online, or through a video training kit and certification kit (also available in French) which is suitable for individual or group training. Food premise regulations – farmers markets and community eventsOn June 15, 2006, the Ontario Ministry of Health issued a news release that formally identifies farmers markets, service clubs, religious organizations and fraternal organizations where events are open to the public, to be exempt from the “rigid requirements of Regulation 562 (Food Premises)”. This ensures the rural tradition such as potluck dinners, church suppers, community picnics and bake sales are exempt from the regulation and “will be protected by the overly-aggressive inspections from public health officials”. Public health inspectors instead will be working with community groups and farmers markets to provide outreach advice on food safety.
Requirements for exempt groups“When high-risk food is served at a special event that does not originate from a food premise that is inspected under the Food Premise Regulation, these organizations are now required to post a notice stating whether or not the facilities have been inspected by the local public health unit”. Organizers are also required to keep a log of providers of high-risk foods to be given to the local public health inspector upon request. Foods generally considered high-risk are:
Farmers markets are still required to follow the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA). For more information, contact the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Certified food handler trainingThe Food Handler Certification program is an excellent opportunity for food handlers to learn the safe way to prepare foods. Whether you are working directly with high-risk groups such as children and the elderly, or operate restaurants, catering services, or even mobile food premises, this course is designed to meet the needs of your staff, and your customers. For more information on training dates and locations, as well as online training, refer to the main |
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