OTTAWA'S PLACE TO PLAY! WE'VE GOT SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
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Policies

Welcome to our policies and procedures section. Here, you can find information surrounding Accessibility, Smoking & Tobacco, Violence & Harassment, Cancellation & Refund, Promotions & Contest Rules and general information safeguarding your valuables and locker usage.
Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to the Association. We are dedicated to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all your personal information. We ask for your personal information to be able to serve you better. The RA’s Privacy Policy complies with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act of Canada. Further information is available by contacting [email protected].
Accessibility Policy
The RA will make every reasonable effort to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity

The RA strives to make all its programs and services available to all persons with disabilities. However, due to the limitations of some facilities and the physical demands of some activities, this is not always possible. Members are encouraged to consult with Kelly Shaw Swettenham at (613) 736-6227 or by e-mail to confirm whether the Association can meet your expectations. 

Guide Dogs, Service Animals and Service Dogs
A member/customer with a disability that is accompanied by guide dog, service animal or service dog will be allowed access to premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law. “No pet” policies do not apply to guide dogs, service animals and/or service dogs.

Food Service Areas: A member/customer with a disability that is accompanied by guide dog or service dog will be allowed access to food service areas that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law.  Other types of service animals are not permitted into food service areas due to the Health Protection and Promotion Act, Ontario Regulation 562 Section 60.

Support Persons
If a member/customer with a disability is accompanied by a support person, the RA will ensure that both persons are allowed to enter the premises together and that the member/customer is not prevented from having access to the support person.
Admission Fees: If payment is required by a support person for admission to the premises the RA will ensure that notice is given in advance by posting notice of admission fees for support persons where the RA fees are posted. 

Feedback Process
The RA shall provide members/customers with the opportunity to provide feedback on the service provided to members/customers with disabilities. Feedback forms along with alternate methods of providing feedback such as verbally (in person or by telephone) or written (hand written, delivered, website or email), will be available upon request.
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Customers can submit feedback to the RA’s Member Services Manager at 613-736-6228, by mail to 2451 Riverside Dr. Ottawa K1H 7X7 or by email at [email protected].
Members/Customers who wish to provide feedback by completing an onsite member/customer feedback form or verbally can do so with any RA Member Services employee. Members/Customers that provide formal feedback will receive acknowledgement of their feedback, along with any resulting actions based on concerns or complaints that were submitted.
Smoking & Tobacco Policy
The RA is proud to be completely SMOKE FREE

​The Smoke Free Ontario Act is here.  Smoking or vaping tobacco or cannabis is prohibited anywhere inside the RA buildings and on the entire property (including all outdoor spaces such as parking lots, dugouts and playing fields). Those who choose to partake in smoking or vaping must do so at a location off RA properties.
Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol on RA premises is prohibited in non-licensed areas (including outdoor spaces such as parking lots, dugouts and playing fields)
Violence & Harassment Policy
The RA has a Workplace Violence and Harassment Policy in place. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that staff, members and guests of the RA are provided an environment where everyone feels welcome and is treated with dignity, free from discrimination or harassment based on ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability. Each staff person, member and guest is expected to contribute and maintain such an environment. At the Association, issues related to human rights, violence, discrimination or harassment are treated very seriously. The Association will not knowingly permit discrimination, harassment and violence and will take appropriate steps to prevent and eliminate such behavior. Management is responsible to ensure that the policy is respected. Throughout an investigation, utmost discretion and care will be taken to ensure confidentiality wherever possible.
Click here to download a PDF of The Recreation Association Member Policy Relating to Harassment, Discrimination, Violence or Breach of the RA Code of Ethics.
Cancellation & Refund Policies

RA Association Memberships
  • RA Association Memberships are non-refundable
  • Government employees who pay membership dues by payroll deduction may cancel their RA membership one year after they join.

Memberships, Sports Leagues and Classes
  • Refunds are not issued for fees paid for club and recreational memberships. An account credit may be considered if supported by a medical certificate (must be submitted within one month of cessation of activity). 
  • Club and recreational memberships may upgraded at anytime during the membership period (additional fees apply). No refunds will be issued for downgrades.
  • Sports Leagues entry fees are non-refundable.
  • A member of a club may upgrade their membership at anytime throughout their membership period. No refunds will be issued for downgrades.
  • Those requesting cancellations of a class registration must do so 7 days prior to the start of the class.  Exceptions may be considered if supported by a medical certificate.  Members will receive a full refund if a program is cancelled by the Association.

Court & Lane Bookings
  • No refunds. Credits will be given for bookings cancelled at least 48 hours prior to your reservation.
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Send written cancellation requests to:
Member Services, RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, Ontario  K1H 7X7    
By e-mail: [email protected]
  • Refunds are subject to a $30 administration fee per individual. If a credit option is chosen, the administration fee will be waved. 
  • Refunds are issued by cheque. Please allow a minimum of 6-8 weeks processing time.
For further information on the RA’s Refund Policy, contact Member Services at 613-733-5100.
RA Camps & Aquatics (Swim lessons) 
To cancel a registration, please send written cancellation request to RA Member Services by e-mail at [email protected] with the full name of the registered participant(s), the program name(s) and session date(s) you wish to cancel. Cancellations cannot be done on-line.
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If written cancellation request is received at least 14 days PRIOR to the beginning of the session: 
  • Refund - $30 administration fee per registered participant per session.
  • Account Credit - flat $30 administration fee.
  • Transfer – no fee, pending availability.
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If written cancellation request is received WITHIN 14 days of the beginning of the session: 
  • No refund, credit or transfer.
 
NOTES
  • Refunds will be processed by the same method of payment.
  • Should the registered participant miss 3 consecutive days of the session due to illness or injury, please e-mail [email protected] to discuss possible accommodations.
  • Should a swimming lesson be cancelled by the RA due to thunder and/or lightning, where possible a make-up class will be scheduled. If no make-up class can be scheduled, a pro-rated credit will be placed on your RA account​. 
  • If a program is cancelled by the RA prior to the start of the session registrants will receive a full refund.
Proximity Cards
​Each proximity card is assigned to an individual person for her/his exclusive use. You are personally responsible for the use of your card.  Never lend your proximity card or allow unauthorized persons to enter an area for which they don’t have a card. Ask them to contact or direct them to the RA’s East Member Services Desk.  Lost, stolen or damaged proximity cards must be reported to the RA’s East Member Services Desk. Replacement for lost or stolen cards cost $15. The RA reserves the right to add/alter any of the above conditions from time to time as required.
Promotions & Contests Rules
Official Rules Governing Promotions and Contests offered by the RA 
The following outlines any processes, rules and regulations governing any giveaway, contest, promotion or program (this point forward referred to as promotions) that passes prizing in any form to a member, sport team member, customer or client (this point forward referred to as participants) that engages with the Recreation Association of the Public Service of Canada (otherwise known as the RA or RA Centre).

All questions or concerns should be directed to the Director, Partnerships & Engagement by email or phone at 613-733-5100 (386).
  1. All promotions and this document are subject to change without notice by the RA, an RA partner, or by legal requirement. The RA is under no obligation to inform participants of any changes.
  2. Participation in any promotion means participants agree to all conditions in this document or others judged by the RA Management to be added at any point to ensure the RA is protected from undue or costly requests, requirements or additions necessary to ensure a promotion is completed in the manner expected by a participant.
  3. The intention of promotions is to reward participants for loyal behaviour, positive reinforcement of RA programming, products or services or through the completion of a specific task. Winners are not entitled to any aspect of a promotion or to demands or requests beyond those discussed in materials promoting the promotion. However, changes can be made to prize allocations as specified in this document or by legal requirement. Participants understand the RA is a not-for-profit and that their capacity to make changes, provide substitutes or meet demands due to perceived, or market value changes will be extremely limited and in most cases impossible to deliver.
  4. Each promotion will have a maximum estimated retail value. This value is for promotional purposes and does not guarantee the winner any deficit in perceived, or market value. Should this occur, the prize or prizes will be awarded as is, without substitution. At any point the estimated retail value of the promotion could change due to the ability of the RA, a partner, contractor or supplier to reduce the expense in delivering the promotion. The value could also be reduced should the RA be required to participate in the promotion upon request from a partner.
  5. Prizes offered as part of any promotion are awarded as is, with no substitution. The RA reserves the right to substitute any prize at any time without notice should this be required due to financial requirements, the prize is no longer available, a Partner has gone bankrupt or is unable to provide the prize. In such cases the RA will make best efforts to provide a replacement.
  6. Promotions are generally open to any participant. In most cases RA staff or contractors are ineligible to receive any prizes, unless specifically determined by the RA Management. This can occur without notice at any point throughout a promotion including before, after or during the use of the prize.
  7. The RA works with various partners who supply prizing for a variety of promotions. From time to time the prize will be passed to the RA to determine a winner and manage all aspects of the prize. In programs that target national, provincial or a broader regional audience the partner rules and regulations will override those stated here. In all other cases the RA reserves final judgments and awarding of a prize. Promotions that target the RA community and RA participants the RA has full jurisdiction for the prize.
  8. RA promotions do not require the purchase of a product or service. To receive a ballot or entry without purchase please send your request by mail to: RA Centre, ATTN: Director, Partnerships & Engagement, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1H 7X7.
  9. In order to claim any prize, the winner is required to answer a skill testing and potentially time limited question. Each promotion could have a different question posed. Changes to questions can be made without notice.
  10. Each promotion will have a specified time limit for entry and closing. This will vary by promotion and will be specified on the RA web site, on posters, social media, fliers or brochures. Promotional material can change without notice.
  11. A primary winner for all prizes will be drawn by RA Staff or volunteer. In the event the primary winner cannot attend or does not respond within a reasonable amount of time, a second ballot will be drawn and the prize awarded to them. This will continue until a winner claims the prize.
  12. From time to time RA partners require RA staff to attend events, supervise the delivery of the promotion prize and monitor participants. This could require RA Staff to do any of the following: attend special events, play in games or sporting events, participate in the activities or ensure that the partner’s rules and behaviour standards are met. In these circumstances the RA Staff has every right to ask the winner or winner’s party to leave, forfeit the prize or pay for any overage made above the specified limits or damages made to any facility.
  13. Promotions from time to time will target specific groups of RA Participants. For example, teams, clubs or general members. In these types of Promotions, the RA will refer to membership records and award prizing to support the number of Participants on a team or in a club. In these situations, the operator of the league, the RA database or RA Staff will determine the size of the prize awarded and number of official members. In all circumstances the maximum prize size will not be exceeded and requests from RA partners will be adhered to. In these circumstances the number of RA members or those on a roster will take precedence over substitutes, or replacements.
  14. These rules, regulations and processes cover all areas of RA business including but not limited to LifeFIT Canada, the Fieldhouse, Events & Conferences, any recreation, sports or fitness program.
Please Note...
Safeguarding Your Valuables
The RA encourages members to take precautions with their valuables while at the RA. If you choose to leave your valuables in your car, ensure they are out of sight. You should also make sure your car is locked at all times. There are day-use lockers in all locker rooms and wallet lockers in LifeFIT Centre, the East and West lobbies at the RA Centre. These wallet lockers are available for your use free of charge (see staff for a token). The Association is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.

Locker Use
Members have daily access to lockers while participating in an activity at the RA Centre. These day-use lockers must be emptied by close each night*.  We encourage you to take advantage of our Locker Rental Service.  Please stop by the Member Service Desk on your next visit and enquire about renting a locker.

* Please be advised that we conduct regular and routine checks of each locker room.  Without notice all unauthorized overnight use of a locker will result in the cutting of locks and removal of contents and will be subject to a flat rental fee of $25, payable upon pick-up of personal items from the Member Service Desk.  Confiscated items will be available for a period of 60 days, after which they will be donated to a local charity.  This will ensure that lockers are available for members wishing to take advantage of the rental service and for “Day-Use”.
Day Use Lockers - East, Central & West Change Rooms
​Members have daily access to lockers while participating in an activity at the RA Centre. These day-use lockers must be emptied by close each night*.  We encourage you to take advantage of our Locker Rental Service.  Please stop by the Member Service Desk on your next visit and enquire about renting a locker.

* Please be advised that we conduct regular and routine checks of each locker room.  Without notice all unauthorized overnight use of a locker will result in the cutting of locks and removal of contents and will be subject to a flat rental fee of $25, payable upon pick-up of personal items from the Member Service Desk.  Confiscated items will be available for a period of 60 days, after which they will be donated to a local charity.  This will ensure that lockers are available for members wishing to take advantage of the rental service and for “Day-Use”.
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​If you require further information relating to our policies and procedures, please contact our team.

[email protected]
613-733-5100 (ext. 360)
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