Urgent call for board members for the Wellington Village Community Association!

Urgent call for NEW and ACTIVE Board Members! 

Only You... Can save the Wellington Village Community Association!

Hello everyone,

The Wellington Village Community Association first began in 1922 as the "Elmdale Municipal Association". Over the years, it has served varying purposes, faced many big changes in the community, and has helped provide support and representation for the residents of our community. There have been times where the association has gone dormant. It was in 1992 that a group of local residents brought the association back from a long break, and later selected a new name in 2010, Wellington Village. Sadly, we may be facing one of those dormant periods again.

There are many reasons why a Community Association will go dormant. 

* The represented area may be small, like Wellington Village is. We've always faced an uphill battle for neighbourhood image. Are we Hintonburg? Are we Westboro? Are we "Wellington West"? We don't have the same numbers as our neighbouring associations, nor do we have the identity that they do. It adds to the challenge of recruiting members and volunteers.

* A lack of big issues to rally the community and get people involved to help promote (or fight) a cause. Without a big issue, people are generally happy with the status quo, and the community association isn't as critical during quieter times. Of course I would argue that we definitely have had some big issues to deal with of late - namely the new Official Plan, and Zoning By-law, Tunney's Pasture, paid parking on Wellington, our new park.. the list goes on.  

* People just have less time to give to their community. It's a fact that community associations aren't seeing the volunteer numbers they used to even a decade ago. WVCA has suffered this in spades. We had a full board of over 15 members pre-Covid. Now we are down to about 6.

Unfortunately, the WVCA has suffered all of the above. And we are at urgent risk of losing our community association. All of the current remaining board members have been a part of the CA for many years, and have done their part. Some have stayed on knowing that there hasn't been someone else to come in and help replace them. We have struggled to get new members. As a result, we've stopped having regular meetings, stopped putting on events, and been limited to what we've been able to get involved in. Having said that, it hasn't stopped us from accomplishing a lot over the last 4 or 5 years - but we're on fumes. 

The WVCA needs you. We need to restore a large board of dedicated members who can carry on the great work we've been doing. And there is lots to get involved in! Tunney's Pasture redevelopment is going to be a big deal for us over the coming years. The new zoning by-law is likely going to see radical changes hit our streets. Is the local infrastructure ready for that? How will the extra traffic be handled? We have seen recreational services decrease, how can we ensure our neighbourhood has access to facilities for swimming, skating, and other sports? Wellington Street is forever changing. The BIA has its hands full. Fisher Park Rec Council is super busy. How can we best help support both of these (and other) important organizations? 

Whether you have interest in one specific area, or would like to contribute to the neighbourhood in general, the WVCA needs you. Being a board member doesn't mean you're locking into hundreds of hours of time and labour. At minimum you should be prepared to attend one 2-hour meeting per month; contribute on email discussions held through our internal message board; and once in awhile chip in where your interest lies - attending a meeting, conducting some research, drafting a letter, etc.

This isn't a threat. It isn't your typical "we need you" message that every CA sends out. Without a significant number of interested community members stepping forward in the next couple of months, the WVCA will fold. We will go unrepresented. Or perhaps a neighbouring association may pick us up, but we'll never have the dedicated attention that the WVCA has been providing our residents for the majority of the last 104 years. It would be a shame to see the WVCA go. A real loss to the community, that will be felt significantly once it's gone. Who will speak up for our interests? As we've proven over and over - even a few people can make a big difference. 

All board positions need to be filled: President. Vice-President. Treasurer. Secretary, Webmaster, Social Media lead. It's a fresh reset for the community association. A few of the existing board members are committed to staying on for a while (and maybe longer) to help transition to the new board, and get things rolling. You won't be on your own to figure things out. 

But we do need dedicated people, and we need a good solid group of them. Or else the WVCA will fold this Spring 2026.

If you are interested, or have any questions, or would like any information, please send us an email at president@wvca.ca

Thank you.

Dave Allston

A/President, WVCA

(photo borrowed from Royal Lepage Integrity Realty)

The Ceremonial Opening of Papichi Park - Saturday November 15th!

Saturday is a celebratory day for Wellington Village and we hope you can come out to celebrate with us!

The official ribbon-cutting on our new local park, Papichi Park, will be taking place at 11 a.m. (Saturday November 15th). 

All are invited to attend this event, which will feature hot chocolate and coffee, and some words from Elder Verna McGregor from Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg, as well as Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Councillor Jeff Leiper, and the WVCA.

Location: 115 Spencer Street (corner of Huron Avenue North)

All are welcome!

An Update from the Neighbours for Tunney’s Group - Survey Results!

 An Update from the Neighbours for Tunney’s Group

 

Greetings, 
 

Neighbours for Tunney’s would like to thank all of the local residents and followers who took the time to complete the 2025 survey we recently shared on the ‘Redevelopment of Tunney’s Pasture’. 

We had 419 respondents and our Neighbours for Tunney’s group has grown to 633 members. We’re pleased that so many neighbours continue to weigh in on this project. By working together we hope to contribute to building a better, more sustainable and integrated new community at Tunney’s Pasture. 

Click here to VIEW SURVEY RESULTS

Below, we provide some thoughts from the Neighbours for Tunney's group on the results and provide a list of priority issues that the group has been discussing. We also present our “ask” as well as “next steps” you can take to have your voice heard. 

Neighbours for Tunney’s reflections on survey results
Responses to the survey question on amenities highlight a strong community desire for amenities that provide essential services, while also emphasizing enhanced quality of life and fostering of social connections. There seems to be a desire for a well-rounded, self-sufficient, and community-oriented development that caters to diverse needs but also encourages thoughtful design to build opportunities for people to connect, interact, play, and relax in the community, and with nature through the preservation of green space. 

A hopeful and enthusiastic theme also emerged—whereby many respondents outlined how they believe this to be a “unique opportunity for the city of Ottawa”; a “legacy development”—a moment to use one of the last underdeveloped urban spaces, to “build something bold, thoughtful and inclusive” that “enhances Ottawa as a capital city” rather than just work to maximize density or economic gain.

Based on the survey results, Neighbours for Tunney’s outlines ten actions that could be taken to align development plans with community needs and aspirations:
Note: this list does not include current work underway to ensure affordable housing and traffic planning

1. Prioritize green space and parks – Since a majority of respondents emphasized the need for parks and recreational areas, planners should ensure ample green space is integrated into the design, with features like playgrounds, walking paths, natural areas and seating areas (Ottawa’s Official plans outline targets).

2. Facilitate grocery store development – The strong demand for grocery stores suggests engaging with grocery retailers early to establish convenient access to fresh food and everyday essentials.

3. Invest in recreation and sports facilities – Including a multi-use recreation center, swimming pool, skating rink, and/or sports field would address a major community desire for accessible sport, fitness and leisure options (Ottawa’s official Recreation plan includes targets).

4. Establish a community center – A multi-purpose community hub for social interaction, entertainment, meetings, and local programming could be developed to serve diverse needs.

5. Expand health services – Exploring the possibility of a health clinic/pharmacy/wellness centre would help ensure residents have access to medical care.

6. Work with school boards on education facilities – Population growth in the area may require new schools or additional childcare options, necessitating collaboration with education authorities.

7. Support local businesses and retail – Encouraging small, independent shops, cafés, and restaurants would foster economic sustainability and meet the preference for locally owned businesses.

8. Enhance walkability and transit access – Prioritizing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, bike lanes, and transit connectivity would support a self-sufficient and accessible community.

9. Install public amenities – Features like public washrooms, benches, and water fountains should be incorporated to improve accessibility/comfort for residents/visitors.

10. Engage further with the community – Conducting follow-up consultations to refine priorities and gather additional input would ensure development efforts stay aligned with evolving needs.

Next Steps for Neighbours for Tunney’s
Neighbours for Tunney’s  will continue to advocate for true transparency and active involvement in the redevelopment process with federal and municipal stakeholders—including regular and meaningful public engagement opportunities. We are calling on the federal and municipal governments to co-host a strategically-timed, open public forum on the redevelopment of Tunney’s Pasture in collaboration with community partners—to include our MP, MPP and City Councilor as well as city officials such as the GM of Planning.  

Next Steps for You
As neighbours living near Tunney’s Pasture, we know that many of you want to be involved. We hope that a ward forum is organized soon and that you will actively participate. In the meantime, you can encourage your neighbours to get engaged by visiting the Neighbours for Tunney’s website and signing up for our newsletter.

When the City posts the Tunney’s Pasture development proposal on the DevApps site, we will notify you via the newsletter.  This will be another opportunity for you to have your say.

Find all our news and sign up to follow updates at our website: www.neighboursfortunneys.ca

Reach Neighbours for Tunney’s by email at: neighboursfortunneys@gmail.com

Take care and thank you for getting—and for staying—involved, 
Neighbours for Tunney’s

 

P.S. Neighbours for Tunney’s is an entirely volunteer-led group, headed by a core of interested local residents–including members of the four Community Associations surrounding Tunney’s Pasture. NFT was formed with the mandate to seek information from Canada Lands Company and Public Services and Procurement Canada and our elected officials about the redevelopment of Tunney’s Pasture and to create ongoing opportunities for residents from the surrounding communities to engage in this significant project. Anyone can email us to sign up to receive NFT Newsletters, 600+ neighbours already have! 

Read the WVCA's submission to the City on the new Zoning By-law Version 2!

Today, the Wellington Village Community Association sent a new follow-up submission of formal comments to the City of Ottawa about the proposed new Zoning By-law, version 2. 

You can read our submission at: Click this link

(You can read our previous submission on December 12th, 2024 at  Click this link, and you also read more on the proposed By-law here: https://engage.ottawa.ca/zoning).

We encourage community members to read about the impact of the proposed By-law on our community and our efforts to ensure that it respects and reflects the longstanding character and features of our neighbourhood. We also strongly encourage you to send your own comments to newzoning@ottawa.ca - this is your opportunity to be heard! 

(A big thank you to our new Wellington Village Real Estate and Development Subcommittee on all their ongoing hard work on the proposed By-law!)

Jane's Walk 2025! The incredible past of Byron Avenue and the linear park!

Wellington Village is an amazing neighbourhood, made up of so many features that makes this a great place to live in! We also have an incredible past that owes a great deal of its history and development to its early farming days, and the arrival of the streetcar. Pieces of that history can still be seen today, and even the way our streets are laid out today are tied into that early history. The linear park along Byron Avenue is a great example of one of the many attributes Wellington Village boasts... However, had city council adopted different plans over the years, things could have looked a lot different.

Please come join Dave Allston of the WVCA on Saturday May 3rd at 1 p.m. for a Jane's Walk covering the incredible history of Byron Avenue and its linear park. We'll walk from Holland Avenue to Kirkwood Avenue, covering all the history from the farming era, through streetcar trolleys and all the "what ifs" of proposals for the street and park space over the last 70+ years!

You must register in advance! Please go to: https://www.janeswalkottawa.ca/en/walks/janes-walk-ottawa-gatineau-2025/22009, and add your name on the right. (Just a warning, you will end up at a different spot from where we start - it's not a loop, but rather a straight line west along Byron).

Thanks very much and hope to see you there on Saturday May 3rd!

WVCA Board Meeting (in-person) - Thursday January 23rd, at 7:30 p.m.

Good day,

The WVCA is holding its next board meeting next Thursday January 23rd, from 7:30-9:00 p.m.

We meet at Fisher Park School (250 Holland Avenue) in room 144 (the "art room"). Note, this is a new location for the meeting within the building.

Community residents are welcome to attend.

The board will be discussing updates on all of the neighbourhood issues we've been tracking on, with a particular emphasis on the proposed new zoning by-law and Tunney's Pasture re-development. 

Read the WVCA's formal submission to the City on the new Zoning By-law!

This past week, the Wellington Village Community Association sent formal comments to the City of Ottawa about the proposed new Zoning By-law. 

You can read our submission at: Click this link

You can also read more on the proposed By-law here: https://engage.ottawa.ca/zoning

We invite community members to read about the impact of the proposed By-law on our community and our efforts to ensure that it respects and reflects the longstanding character and features of our neighbourhood. We also encourage you to send your own comments to newzoning@ottawa.ca - this is your opportunity to be heard! 

(A big thank you to our new Wellington Village Real Estate and Development Subcommittee on all their ongoing hard work on the proposed By-law!)