For Immediate Release:
Ottawa’s Rideau Sports Centre (RSC) doubles indoor tennis court capacity, creating a year-round Tennis Centre of Exellence
864 Hours of Indoor Tennis court time every week!
OTTAWA – FEBRUARY 15, 2024 – Tennis for everyone in Ottawa has just gotten more accessible, now offering 864 hours of indoor court time every week on 8 bubbled hard courts at Rideau Sports Centre (RSC)’s new, expanded indoor tennis facilities, now Ottawa’s largest indoor tennis facility. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, joined Ottawa-Vanier MP, the Hon Mona Fortier and RSC Founder and CEO Nicki Bridgland to make the announcement today.
RSC has doubled its available indoor tennis courts from four to eight, resulting in Ottawa’s per capita availability of indoor tennis courts now improved to 1:57,000 (previously 1:73,000), getting Ottawa closer to the national average of 1:50,000.
And anyone can play here. Rideau Sports Centre was reimagined in 2017, opening the doors to the public as a “pay-as-you-play centre”, making tennis far more inclusive, accessible, and diverse. Open to the public, anyone can call or go online to book a court, without having to be a “member”. Strong focus has been placed on the social side of tennis, to ensure the sport is welcoming, fun and a gateway to meeting other tennis enthusiasts of a similar level.
Rideau Sports Centre, located at 1 Donald Street, also offers the largest Adult and Junior programming (all levels of play) plus Junior Competitive-High Performance programs in the region. All coaches are Tennis Canada certified, and in good standing with Tennis Professional Association. Two Tennis Canada National Team players, also provincial champions, train at RSC: Eli Marks and Julien Gagnon. RSC has been selected to be part of Tennis Canada’s U15 Support Club Program that enhances player development.
As a result of this indoor court expansion, RSC will be able to host Provincial, National and International tennis tournaments, boosting local player development, and Ottawa tourism by attracting national and international players.
Beyond tennis, RSC offers 80 weekly Yoga/Fitness/Pilates classes, a Fitness Centre, Children’s Summer Camps, 3 beach volleyball courts, 2 ball hockey rinks, 1 Padel court, an outdoor pool, and people can enjoy the onsite restaurant The Bridge Public House and outdoor patios. RSC and The Bridge Public House are open year-round to everyone, no membership is required.
The Rideau Sports Centre thanks the National Capital Commission for its support of this expanded program offer.
QUOTES:
CEO & Founder, Rideau Sports Centre, Nicki Bridgland
“With the opening of our second tennis bubble, Rideau Sports Centre is proud to be the largest indoor tennis facility in Ottawa, with 8 courts and 864 hours of weekly court time”, said Nicki Bridgland, CEO and Founder. “Whether you’ve never before held a tennis racquet but always wanted to learn, or you’re an experienced tennis player, the Rideau Sports Centre has expanded space for you to play. You can book a tennis court by the hour, join a tennis program or a take a tennis lesson. All ages (kids to adults to seniors) and all skill levels are welcome! Rideau Sports Centre is “tennis for everyone” year-round, with 8 indoor tennis courts and 7 outdoor clay courts.”
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
“This is indeed a momentous announcement, not only for our tennis enthusiasts, but for anyone who has the desire to give this game a try. With this expansion, we’re not just enhancing access to the game, we’re potentially opening the doors for #Team Ottawa to host large events that will draw even more visitors to our great city.”
Ottawa-Vanier Member of Parliament, Hon. Mona Fortier
“My riding of Ottawa-Vanier is the proud home of the Rideau Sports Centre on Donald Street, right beside the Rideau River. This expanded, year-round tennis facility makes this fast-growing sport even more accessible to everyone and is an opportunity for a healthier community”.
Tennis Canada CEO, Gavin Ziv
“More kids are picking up racquets with 25% of under-12s having played tennis in 2023. However, we have a shortage of indoor tennis facilities for them to play in during the winter months, especially when comparing ourselves to other leading tennis nations. That’s why year-round tennis court facilities, like at the Rideau Sports Centre, are so crucial to the continued growth and development of the sport. Congratulations to the RSC and the Ottawa community, which now has increased access to tennis year-round.”
About Rideau Sports Centre
“Where Life is Play” the Rideau Sports Centre located in the heart of Ottawa on 4-acres of National Capital Commission-owned land along the banks of the Rideau River, is open to everyone on a “pay-as-you-play” basis. It is the home of 15 tennis courts (8 indoor courts, 7 outdoor clay courts), 80 weekly Yoga/Fitness/Pilates classes, a Fitness Centre, Children’s Summer Camps, 3 beach volleyball courts, 2 ball hockey rinks, 1 Padel court, an outdoor pool, and people can enjoy the onsite restaurant The Bridge Public House with outdoor patios. RSC and The Bridge Public House are open year-round to everyone, no membership is required.
RSC’s Winter Tennis Programs begin playing Febru`ary 19th and Spring Tennis Program registration opened on February 12th, for adults, children, all skill levels with a wide variety of offerings. Children’s Summer Camp (Tennis & Multi-Sport) registration is currently open.
