The future of Mooney’s Bay Beach

Good morning! 

June marks the official start to Pride month, even though Ottawa’s Capital Pride festivities don’t get underway until August. 

As an LGBTQ+ person, I often get asked why the community still needs to be celebrated when same-sex marriage has been legalized, same-sex couples are allowed to adopt, and access to equal rights is now the ‘norm’ here in Canada. 

It’s a fair question but we must remember that these freedoms are still relatively new. 

Between the 1950s and 1990s, homosexual Canadians who worked in the civil service, RCMP, and the armed forces were fired because of their sexual orientation. Many faced ruthless interrogation and were treated like criminals because of who they chose to love. Ontario only legalized joint adoption by same-sex couples in 1995 — Canada’s first province to do so — and same-sex marriage wasn’t legalized in Canada until 2005. 

There are still countless countries across the world where such rights still don’t exist. And even here in North America, homophobia is on the rise. 

Last year, I wrote an award-winning article for the Kitchissippi Times about Ottawa’s fight for LGBTQ2S+ rights, and I must admit it was an eye-opening one to research. You can give it a read here. 

At a time of so much hatred and division in the world, we could all do with spreading a little more love and acceptance. 

Today’s main story is about the future of Mooney’s Bay beach and developments happening in the area. We also have another on Ottawa’s bike days and why it’s coming with some controversy. 

Let’s get to it!

— Charlie Senack, Ottawa Lookout managing editor, [email protected], X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

Monday: 19 🌡️ 9 | ☀️ 

Tuesday: 24 🌡️ 16 | 🌤️

Wednesday: 27 🌡️ 16 | 🌧️

CITY

What should the new Mooney’s Bay pavilion look like?

Beach revitalization: The City of Ottawa is planning to build a new pavilion at Mooney’s Bay Beach to replace the existing one built in 1964. The current building houses change rooms, a canteen, washrooms, staff offices, and storage spaces, but it’s nearing the end of its lifecycle. 

In 2018, public consultations showed the desire for a new building rather than renovating the existing one. 

What’s being considered: Two options have been unveiled as possibilities. The first is a one-storey building which would include a beach promenade, water play area, a beach patio, a multi-purpose room, a lifeguard office looking towards the beach, and a food service pavilion. If this design is chosen, it would mean the removal of 36 trees and would include a realigned pathway and new light poles. 

Option two is for a two-storey building, which would include all of the same amenities. Unlike the first option, only 18 trees would need to be cut down. It also includes a new pathway network. 

A year-round destination: When Mooney’s Bay Beach is not being used as a destination in the summer, it’s also used in the winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. It also used to be a popular spot for tobogganers who would sled down the big hill, though that was stopped in 2017 when an 11-year-old girl died in a sledding mishap. 

• A $150,000 study was launched in May 2024 to see if the hill could reopen for such use again, but it is believed no fixable option exists. 

Either design for the new building includes year-round options, unlike the current facility that’s there. 

Next steps: At this point, it’s unclear when shovels could be in the ground or when further design work could be completed because it’s all contingent on funding. 

Water testing: If you want to swim at Mooney’s Bay Beach this summer, you might be taking a greater risk than before. Ottawa Public Health is switching from daily water testing over the summer to once a week, which will still meet provincial standards. 

• “Because water samples take 18-24 hours to process at the laboratory, they only indicate the quality of the water at the time of sampling, the day before. This results in limited accuracy for determining the real-time level of E. coli bacteria in the water,” said Dan Chenier, the Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services general manager, in a memo to council. 

Last summer, no swimming advisories were issued due to high E. coli counts and heavy rainfall for 22 days at Mooney’s Bay beach, reported CTV. 

Fun facts: Mooney's Bay is an artificial bay on the Rideau River that was created during the construction of the Rideau Canal. A dam and set of locks were constructed to bypass the rapids in the location of the Hog's Back Falls. This created a widened area of the river, suitable for boating.

• Mooney's Bay was named after three generations of Mooneys who held the position of Lockmaster at Narrows Lock, covering 87 of the first 112 years of the lock's history.

Mooney’s Bay’s changing landscape 

A number of development projects are currently in the works in the Mooney’s Bay Area, which will drastically change the landscape of the neighbourhood. 

The Docks at Mooney’s Bay is a six-unit townhouse project at 3071 Riverside Dr., which offers up to 1,757 sq. ft. of living space above grade, and up to 716 below. 

Planned next to it are the Northside and Southside Flats. 

• “The architecture is inspired by its local context, using light, earthy materials, with large windows and balconies reminiscent of contemporary lakefront accommodations,” the developer’s website reads. 

Building up: While the site has been left vacant for a few years, Brigil has plans to construct a mixed-use development at 729 Ridgewood Ave. The site used to be home to a strip mall that included Country Grocer, a Persian restaurant, a pharmacy, a barbershop, and an insurance broker. It was one of the only shopping areas in the neighbourhood where locals could go. 

Plans for the project changed many times. In 2020, Brigil was considering building up to 25 storeys with a total of 728 units on the site. But after public pushback, new drawings showed four buildings ranging from four to 15 storeys. The number of units was also dramatically reduced to 387. 

Now updated plans on the City of Ottawa website from 2023 show a slightly different vision with five buildings ranging from four to 15 storeys tall. Commercial space would be located on the ground floor with space for 567 cars, and 198 bicycle parking spaces.

SPONSORED BY ENVIROCENTRE

Running towards zero-waste

At this year’s Run to Empower, EnviroCentre partnered with Run Ottawa to pilot a reusable cup system at all hydration stations, replacing more than 600 single-use cups and achieving a 96% return rate. The cups will be washed, sanitized and used again and again, keeping unnecessary waste out of the landfill.

With support from local reuse provider Friendlier, the system was easy to run and well-received by participants. The result? Less waste, lower emissions and a better experience for everyone involved.

Reusable dishware offers a simple, scalable way to reduce waste at races, festivals and community events. It’s an opportunity to show leadership and care for the environment.

Curious about how reuse could work at your event? Let’s talk!

See how it worked! envirocentre.ca/reusable-cups-take-lead-at-5k-race

THE OTTAWA NUMBER

$112,000

💰 The amount of money Canterbury High School students raised during their annual Relay for Life fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. Student Ivy Tomlinson raised the most amount of money at more than $2400. [CTV]

THE AGENDA

💰 A report for the Finance and Corporate Services Committee says the city is running a $14-million deficit in the first quarter, prompting a spending freeze and a pause on hiring. The report will be tabled in the committee on Tuesday, June 3. [Ottawa Citizen]

🏚️ If you’ve been around Ottawa lately, you might have noticed many heritage buildings are sitting empty and decaying. But there is some good news: Somerset House, which has been left to deteriorate since suffering a partial collapse 18 years ago, is now being worked on. City staff say they are in the “very final stages” of planning approvals before issuing a building permit for the work to begin. [Ottawa Citizen]

🏖️ After countless delays, Westboro Beach has finally reopened to the public. The $21 million project includes a new ice cream shop and cafe. There is also an added picnic space, outdoor showers, and gender-neutral washrooms. [CBC]

⛺️ On Friday, a small tent encampment was dismantled outside the Salvation Army building in the ByWard Market. The city says the displaced people were offered “shelter services, health and social support, and assistance in securing safe, stable housing.” The move sparked renewed calls from social service groups to build more affordable housing options, which also include access to resources. [CTV]

🚊 If you’re a regular LRT user, you should know the Confederation Line will be out of service for several days this summer as the east-west light rail track undergoes routine maintenance and other work related to its Stage 2 expansion. Replacement bus service will run during the shutdowns. [CBC]

🛍️ It’s the end of the era for the Hudson’s Bay, which has officially closed all its retail locations across Canada, including its stores in Ottawa and Gatineau. Chinese billionaire Weihong Liu has purchased 28 of the big box stores' former leases, including the Rideau Centre location. It’s unclear what the space will be used for, but the BC businesswoman who also goes by the name Ruby Liu said she intends to start her own “new modern department store concept.” [CTV/Toronto Star]

🍃 The City of Ottawa is not recommending a ban on fossil fuel advertisements on municipal property despite calls from community groups to remove them over concerns for the environment. “Unlike the Federal regulations restricting advertising of tobacco, there are no Federal laws that prohibit or severely restrict fossil fuel advertising,” wrote Dan Chenier, the city’s general manager of recreation, cultural and facility services. “As any prohibitions or significant restriction on fossil fuel advocacy advertising would constitute a limit on the right to freedom of expression under section 2(b) of the Charter, a reviewing Court would consider whether the limit is reasonable in a free and democratic society.” [CTV]

👮‍♂️ A vice-principal at West Carleton Secondary School has been charged with sexual assault. Jonathan Cappello was arrested and charged on May 10. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board says Cappello is not currently working and the charges are not related to incidents which happened in the school community. [Ottawa Citizen]

EVENTS

Summer Workshop: Betta Fish Watercolour Painting | Wallack's Art Supplies and Framing, 305 Bank St | June 3, 5 - 8:30 pm | Learn to paint a stunning betta fish using watercolours | Tickets $43

Watercolour Workshop: Victorian Architecture | Wallack's Art Supplies and Framing, 305 Bank St | June 5, 4 - 5:30 pm | Learn how to paint watercolour of Victorian architecture | Tickets $38.61 

Idiotqeue - performs Radiohead’s THE BENDS - 30th Anniversary | Overflow Brewing Co, 2477 Kaladar Ave | June 6, 8:30 pm | Idioteque returns to perform Radiohead’s classic 1995 album | Tickets $25

Int’l Vocal Jazz Trio Entertains at Centretown Cocktail Hotspot | Night Oat, 750 Gladstone Ave | June 7, 7:30 - 10 pm | An unforgettable evening for you to enjoy cocktails | Tickets $22.63  

Witness Courage. Honour History. Celebrate Pride | 717 Notre-Dame St | June 7, 1 - 3 pm | The Fruit Machine, spotlighting Canada's dark history and the resilience of 2SLGBTQI+ service members | Free 

Celebrate Pride with Author Emily Austin | Bayview Yards, 7 Bayview Station Rd | June 14, 7 - 8 pm | Emily will be in conversation with Francesco MacAllister-Caruso, discussing her novels | Free

NIGHTCAP | The Origin Arts & Community Centre, 57 Lyndale Ave | June 7, 7 - 11 pm | Nightcap with Claudia Joseph, an evening with live music, great company, food and drinks | Tickets $15

Family Paint Party | The Bridge Public House, 1 Donald St | June 13, 7 - 9 pm | A Night of creativity and fun to celebrate Pride | Tickets $ 47.08 

Star Trek vs Star Wars | Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St | June 14, 7:30 - 9:30 pm | Which universe will triumph in this cosmic showdown? | Tickets $22.08 

Spring Workshop: Tropical Terrarium Workshop by The Urban Botanist | Wallack's Art Supplies and Framing, 305 Bank St | June 15, 12:45 - 3 pm | create stunning, nature-inspired masterpieces | Tickets $218.54 

Summer Fitness Series | Tanger Outlets, 8555 Campeau Dr | June 8, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm | An opportunity to stay active and healthy this summer! | Free

Want to see your event here? You can purchase them through our self-service portal here

CITY

A reminder of when you can participate in the National Capital Commission’s bike days

Looking ahead: If you’re commuting around Ottawa over the weekends throughout summer, getting to where you need to go could take longer because of parkways being closed for active transportation use. That’s good news for bikers and other active transportation users.

The closures for the National Capital Commission's bike days will take place Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays until Oct. 13. 

• The Queen Elizabeth Driveway from Somerset Street to Fifth Avenue between 8 am and 8 pm

• Kichi Zībī Mīkan between 8 am and 12 noon

• Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway between St-Joseph and the Aviation Parkway from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Scaling back: Unlike last year, none of the closures are lasting seven days a week. Active transportation use on the Kichi Zībī Mīkan was also reduced by three hours this year because of construction. 

• The CBC spoke with some cyclists who were unhappy with the changes. 

Return of the summer zone: To make the experience even more enjoyable for cyclists, walkers, or joggers, the NCC has expanded its summer zone pilot project, which includes more seating along the Rideau Canal and a new dock near Dow’s Lake. 

• “Over the past several years, the NCC has been transforming the National Capital Region’s scenic parkways and shorelines into lively destinations,” said NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum, according to CTV. “Whether it be NCC Weekend Bike Days, River House or Summer Zone and the new recreational dock at Dows Lake, we are working to increase public access to the capital’s incredible shorelines and waterways.”

NEW JOBS

Discover your new dream job in Ottawa:

1. Customer service agent at City of Ottawa 

2. Manager of facilities, planning and logistics at the University of Ottawa 

3. Buyer at Thales 

4. Housing team lead at Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health

5. Live-in superintendent at District Realty

(Jobs are chosen at random by the Lookout team)

OTTAWA QUIZ

GOOD NEWS MONDAY

Over $300,000 was raised during the annual Evening in the Maritimes event in support of empowering people with disabilities through ABLE2. 

Next year, the event will celebrate its 30th anniversary. It’s long been an Ottawa favourite, offering an evening of East Coast ambiance, live music, and lobster. The event celebrates all three Maritime provinces: PEI, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 

Read more here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Orleans’ Kozy Nest Restaurant on St. Joseph Boulevard is closing after 25 years in business. [CTV]

• Ottawa-born singer Alanis Morissette will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa. [CTV]

• Ottawa's Derek Gee has cycled to the Grand Tour-best fourth in Giro d'Italia. [CBC]

• Rockcliffe Park has been designated a national historic district. [CBC]

• North Grenville has held its annual Pride parade. [CTV]

• A VIP seafood restaurant is taking over the former Rideau Street McDonald’s location. [Ottawa Business Journal]

• Are you a lover of the sitcom ‘Friends’? Then you will want to check out this Perth cafe inspired by the hit tv show. [Ottawa Business Journal]

PHOTO OF THE DAY

The recently reopened Westboro Beach as seen from the air.