Recreation Association of the Public Service of Canada (RA) – Ottawa – January 18, 2018 – The Ottawa and national sport community came together this morning to celebrate the official opening of the House of Sport at the RA Centre. At present, over 20 National Sport Organizations (NSO), Multi-Sport Organizations (MSO), not-for-profits and sport-related businesses are members of this collaborative and innovative sport hub. Mayor Jim Watson, the RA, House of Sport member organizations, project partners and Ottawa Tourism welcomed the enthusiastic group who assembled on the second floor of the House of Sport, gathering on the mezzanine and ABI Stadium.

The House of Sport can be described as an innovation centre of sport. The positive synergy and connections gained by a community of distinct organizations working together will benefit member organizations and the Canadian sport community. Working under one roof, this collaborative hub will create opportunities for sharing costs, best practices, business development opportunities and communication networks.

Currently, the Ottawa-Gatineau region is home to more than 60 percent of the National Sport Organizations (NSOs) and Multi-Sport Organizations (MSOs) in Canada. A May 2015 economic impact study jointly produced by Ottawa Tourism and the University of Ottawa illustrated the importance of this sector to the city’s local economy, showing a real economic impact of $76.25 million. Bringing these organizations under one roof will ensure that each and every one of them has access to the critical infrastructure they need to grow and develop their sport or supporting service, thanks to world-class shared facilities and services.

The $8 million House of Sport project has re-purposed 36,000 square feet of the RA Centre’s west wing and includes town halls, meeting rooms, quiet areas, collaborative spaces and flexible work stations. The City of Ottawa demonstrated its commitment to this important economic initiative with a one-time $500,000 capital funding contribution, with the balance of the project funded by the RA.

Quotes

“As a shared home base for the sport community in Ottawa, the House of Sport will be an incubator for new collaborations and collective success of all partners. A successful sports industry boosts our economic strength by hosting major events and meetings, attracting creative and professional talent, and stimulating tourism. This will be a great asset in maintaining our competitive edge relative to other cities and it will assist our bids for future major sporting events.”
Mayor Jim Watson

“We are extremely proud to be the force behind this creative, first in Canada innovation. The opening of the House of Sport marks not only the beginning of many wonderful partnerships between its member organizations but also the revitalization of the RA community. We expect and in fact, have already heard about new, positive connections growing out of this vibrant hub. We are thrilled to be the home of administrative excellence in sport in the country.”
Tosha Rhodenizer, CEO, RA

“The House of Sport is an important asset that sets Ottawa apart from other destinations. Ottawa Tourism already works closely with the sporting community to attract regional, national and international sporting events to Canada’s capital region. Now, with the innovation of the House of Sport, we will benefit greatly from the shared knowledge and expertise of these groups to bring even more events to Ottawa.”
Michael Crockatt, President & CEO, Ottawa Tourism