(Ottawa, Canada---12 September 2020) Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club Head Coach Richard Johnston. Copyright 2020 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images

Dome @ Louis-Riel Update from Richard Johnston

by adminlinkinbio

Dear Members,

 

As February concludes and we begin March, there are several major developments in club programing.

The biggest development that has taken place is the long-awaited re-opening of the Dome @ Louis-Riel. After nearly 24 months there will be a limited re-opening to clubs affiliated with athletics Ontario on Wednesday, March 2nd!

Dome @ Louis-Riel

We are thrilled about being able to return to the lone indoor track and field venue in the City of Ottawa, while maintaining the programs that we began at the end of the most recent lockdown.

The allocated spots available at the Dome @ Louis-Riel will only be open for competitive, varsity, and masters athletes registered with the Ottawa Lions.

  • Athletes MUST be registered as an annual competitive member with the club. If you are not already registered as an annual member it is your responsibility to complete your registration to gain access. http://www.trackiereg.com/2022-OTTL-Comp83648
  • Athletes who enrolled for a winter membership can continue training at previous locations, but the Dome will be prioritized to the varsity programs and those who will be representing the club during the outdoor competitive season. You may upgrade your registration to annual by contacting info@ottawalions.com
  • 150 total occupancy (shared amongst AO affiliated clubs). Space will be limited, so it is your responsibility to book time slots. Booking is completed through head coach Richard Johnston (rjohnston@ottawalions.com) attendance can be followed here –https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IXPlYLEA77W6jV9aB3mk6mVpfEhRrRz5IDDP6L0sjZ0/edit?usp=sharing
  • Due to the limited capacity, athletes must follow up with their booked time slot. A missed session will be noted and result in a fine of $8.00/absence (DO NOT BOOK A TIME SLOT YOU DO NOT INTEND TO USE).
  • The Dome will not be open during March Break (Monday, March 14th, Wednesday, March 16th and Saturday March 20th)
  • Saturday sessions are only open for programing that is organized for athletes aged 13-18 years old. Program managers will be in touch regarding scheduling for these sessions focused on High School competitive and Aspire programs.
    • We will compromise for this arrangement by moving our Saturday Aspire program to Louis Riel to open more space for competitive members to train at the Algonquin Soccer Dome. Please see the details on Algonquin below.
  • Weights and exercise bikes will not be accessible.
  • Fields at this time are closed. This is susceptible to change.
  • Time slots:
    • Monday 5:45-7:45pm
    • Wednesday 5:45-7:45pm
    • Saturday 11:00am-1:00pm
  • All users must exit at the end of the scheduled time slots. There is no warm-up or cool-down period (2 hours total).
  • Although the Provincial restrictions are relaxed, the CEPEO (Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario) will still require all users to show proof of vaccination and wear masks at all times (except when working out).If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 you are asked to isolate until they subside.
  • Spectators will not be permitted.
  • There will be no competitions scheduled.

While in season varsity members/event groups will receive priority during weekdays. Their presence will be less noticeable on weekends as they will be on the road during the weekends of March 5th-6th, 11th-12th and 18th-19th. Post collegiate, competitive and masters will fill up the remaining slots. With high school aged athletes having priority on Saturday.

To manage numbers in the Dome. Monday’s will be mid-distance/distance runners and jumps will receive priority with the practices continuing Thursdays at the Aberdeen Pavilion. On Wednesdays, power-speed based athletes will receive priority with the practices continuing at Aberdeen on Mondays and Thursdays.

Our programs located at Aberdeen, Algonquin and Lees will remain unchanged. The COVID-19 protocol updates we have received from these venues are as follows. Please note that vaccination and specific COVID-19 assessments are required on university and college campuses.

Algonquin Dome

Saturdays 9:00am-11:00am.

COVID-19 protocol has gone unchanged.
For all practices at the Algonquin Dome, parents/athletes MUST complete and ensure that the daily health screening is completed and presented before arriving to the facility!

https://www.algonquincollege.com/college-blog/the-new-ac-covid-19-self-screening-app/

Masks must be worn when entering and exiting the facility (only to be removed when working out).
Proof of vaccination with enhanced vaccination pass.
Spectators are still not permitted due to facility capacities.

Aberdeen Pavilion

Mondays 5:00pm-7:00pm
Wednesday 5:00pm-7:00pm
Thursdays 5:00pm-8:00pm

Athletes MUST complete a self-assessment before entering the Aberdeen Pavilion. If you are experiencing symptoms please stay home.

Masks must be worn when entering and exiting the facility (only to be removed when working out).
Vaccination with enhanced vaccination pass is required.
Spectators are still not permitted.

Lees Dome

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 7:00am-9:00am

While on campus athletes MUST complete the daily health screening before arriving to the University Dome. Please follow link to the Daily Health Screening under the COVID-19 tab.

https://cst.uottawa.ca/en/csa

Masks must be worn when entering and exiting the facility (only to be removed when working out).
Proof of vaccination with enhanced vaccination pass is required.
Spectators are still not permitted.

Terry Fox Clubhouse

Mondays, Wednesdays: 10:00am-4:00pm
Tuesdays, Thursdays: 10:00am-7:30pm
Saturdays: Based on request and staff availability.

Athletes MUST complete a self-assessment before arriving at Terry Fox. If you are experiencing symptoms, please stay home.

Masks must be worn when not working out.
Vaccination with enhanced vaccination pass is required.
Spectators are still not permitted.

Friendly reminder:

  1. If you are showing any symptoms, please do not attend practice. An easy self-assessment can be completed through this link – https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/
  2. Do not bring any food containing nuts as we have children with severe nut allergies. 

Spring is quickly approaching and the Outdoor season with it. After months and months of adapting we can’t wait to return full programing to the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. Keep an eye open for updates to our spring and summer Youth, Foundation and Aspire programs, Twilights and Summer Camps.

Thank you,

Richard

MRR_OTTL21_Feb27_Practice_0677

Back on track – Lions athletes return to formal practices

by COVIDHigh SchoollinkinbioLocal

Incredible. It was all the words Foundation and Aspire program director Zach Quevillon needed to express his feelings about being back at practice.

After two months of lockdown, where treadmills, Zoom workouts, and other at home training became the norm, the Lions returned to practice Saturday morning at the spacious Sooner Megadome located at École secondaire catholique Paul-Desmarais in Stittsville. Saturday’s practice, a soft opening to March’s full return to programming at three separate locations across the city, included approximately 35 athletes who ran, hurdled, and bounded across the spacious turf field.

With nearly all members of the Aspire Program back training Saturday morning, coaches Quevillon and Connor Dobson led the high school students through their paces as they prepare for a competitive season that will be void of an OFSAA Championship for the second straight season. Quevillon plans to ease the athletes back into the swing of things over the next four months as the athletes prepare to head back outdoors in April. “It was evident that everybody’s been working really hard on their time away,” said the fifth year coach. “Virtual workouts were a success and we are at a starting point that is a lot further down the road than I was expecting having not seen [the athletes] in two plus months.”

Hurdler Luca Nicoletti said he found at home training to be more static and was happy to be back at practice with the whole team. After two months of treadmill running and drills at home, “it felt great to get back to running at a high speed,” said the 2019 Legion National silver medalist. Nicoletti says his focus this summer is returning to Legion Nationals, if the event does take place.

While the treadmill was go to for a number of athletes during lockdown, coach Normand Seguin notes the transfer of mechanics from the treadmill to the track takes some time. “Surprisingly [the athletes] found they are weak in the quads. When they pushed they realized they have to push, so they were slower,” said Seguin of the re-adjustment to running on a stationary surface. Nonetheless, the long time coach was pleased with where the athletes were, “I can tell they are very fit, they just need a little bit more exposure.”

Lions athletes will continue to get the necessary training exposure throughout March with sessions taking place at the Sooner Megadome, Aberdeen Pavilion, and Carp’s Oz Dome. For more information about our programs, please consult our website.