815 St. Laurent is in danger. School Boards need money to run the complex and the space is under utilized. Do not be complacent or they might "Lansdowne" the place.
- Create jobs and programming opportunities
- Reduce barriers to wellness for lower-income residents
- Provide safe, supervised spaces for youth
- Serve as a true community "third space" beyond home and work
What would a modern community arena complex look like?
Imagine what a modern Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Arena could look like at that location.
Here's what this integrated facility might include:
Core Facilities
Indoor Soccer Complex
A full-size regulation field with professional-grade lighting and climate control, available for competitive leagues, recreational play, and youth development programs. Perfect for a community that wants year-round soccer access regardless of weather.
Multi-Purpose Fitness Center — Flexible space for group fitness classes, strength training, and community wellness programs.
Could include equipment for diverse fitness levels and free/subsidized memberships for residents.
Aquatic Center — Swimming pool(s) for competitive training, swim lessons for children, and water-based fitness classes—addressing a gap in the Vanier/Rideau-Rockcliffe area.
Community Amenities
Youth Programs Hub —
After-school activities, skill development, and mentorship programs serving the neighborhood's young people (the Resource Centre already focuses heavily on youth).
Community Café — Social gathering space for families to connect, reducing isolation and building neighborhood bonds alongside food access programs.
Accessible Design — Ground-level entry, accessible parking, barrier-free facilities (important given the existing food bank and vulnerable population served).
Why This Location Works
There may be less time than you think to do something!
The existing community resource center at 815 St Laurent already serves as a anchor for social services the Ward. The old Rideau High School site at 815 St. Laurent Blvd is within Rideau-Rockcliffe, and councillor King's office refers to it as the "St-Laurent Complex" in newsletters.
The school closed in 2017 after OCDSB shut it (and five others) due to declining enrolment, with students redirected to Gloucester High.
Rather than sit empty, it was converted into the Rideau Community Hub and the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre became anchor tenant.
Sebastian Gaisser is the Director
He is at 613 741 9292 extension 101
For Annual Reports Consult the following:
The building now houses a mix of social services:
Ottawa Carlton District School Board OCDSB still owns the building; it never went to private sale.
On the soccer-field question specifically: there is a "Sports Field" on the grounds, listed as a venue by community groups (the Council on Aging has used it for a fundraising walk, for instance).
- childcare,
- a food bank,
- immigration support,taxes, public use kitchen, computers
- Inuit arts programming (Isaruit), elder services, and
- rentable community space.
The gym is locked up The auditorium is un air-conditioned, the cafeteria is locked up. The building is by and large unfulfilled in potential. There is a volunteer board.
Ottawa Carlton District School Board OCDSB still owns the building; it never went to private sale.
On the soccer-field question specifically: there is a "Sports Field" on the grounds, listed as a venue by community groups (the Council on Aging has used it for a fundraising walk, for instance).
It's actively used as a soccer pitch
. but more as a generic green space used for community events than a maintained, bookable soccer field in the way New Edinburgh Park or Rockcliffe Park PS's field are.
Because the grounds space isn't being put to organized sports use, that's arguably a missed opportunity given the capacity gap and a school board property that's already publicly owned and centrally located in the ward.
One thing worth flagging
As of February 2026, OCDSB's provincially-appointed supervisor (Bob Plamondon) has been directing staff to move quickly on selling off "unused" board properties, and that's already drawn criticism from a city councillor and an MPP for happening without trustee or municipal consultation.
There is no confirmation that 815 St. Laurent is specifically on that disposition list. The named properties so far are elsewhere (e.g., the former Grant Alternative School) — but given the board's posture toward "legacy structures," it's the kind of citywide pattern that could eventually touch the Rideau Hub site too, especially since it still costs the board $200,000–$300,000/year to operate per the original 2017 figures.
The backyard is used as a day care and community garden.
Inside is an unused gym, an unairconditioned auditorium, a large cafeteria area.
This space seems to be in good condition.
And as usual
Demand open data.
Demand accountability.
Vote for people who actually have experience running things.
This time around, inform yourselves, vote differently, vote wisely. Vote for Peter Karwacki for Rideau Rockcliffe
On site at the Rideau Rockcliffe Resource Center
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