About the RA

Serving the community for over 80 years!

A member supported not-for-profit organization, the RA operates a multi-sport, recreation and leisure facility, conveniently located in the heart of Ottawa. Becoming part of the RA means joining a supportive and diverse community of individuals of all ages who share a passion for health, wellness, sport, and recreation as well as social connection. As a not-for-profit association, the RA is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors who in fulfilling its fiduciary and duty of care responsibilities on behalf of the members, provides oversight, due diligence, and strategic direction to the RA Staff.

RA Association Membership

RA Board of directors

The RA is governed by a competency-based, 16-person volunteer Board of Directors elected by members. This policy governing board, delegates authority to the CEO and her staff focusing their energy on the overall strategic direction, fiduciary responsibilities, and governance actions.

The term of a Director is 4 years with half turning over every 2 years. The Board approaches elections and nominations by evaluating openings through the evaluation of competencies that it believes are required to be strong, competent, economically responsible and visionary.

Click here for detailed bios.

2024-2026

Chair
Karen Jackson

Vice-Chair
Bruce Miller

Members
Robert (Bob) Chiarelli
Darrell Cox
Robert (Bob) Elliott
Dawn Haworth
Brian MacPherson
Susan Murray
Richard Neville

James Nicholson
Nicole Picton
Kevin Radford
John Smit
Joanne Stanley
Caroline Weber
Joe Wilkinson

Click here for detailed bios..

Ex officio Members
Ian Fraser, RA, Chief Executive Officer
Mario Giamberardino, RA, Chief Financial Officer

RA Senior Executive Team

The RA’s extensive staff team consists of full-time, part-time and contracted employees and is supported by a large community of RA volunteers who give so generously and freely of their time and talents. Under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer and a Senior Executive Team this resourceful group works in an organizational culture built on collaboration and service sharing.

Ian Fraser,
Chief Executive Officer

Mario Giamberardino,
Chief Financial Officer

Kelly Shaw-Swettenham,
Vice-President, Operations

Tim Van Dyke
Director, Facilities and Assets

Our mission

Mission Statement
To promote health and wellness through sports, fitness, recreation, and fostering community with diverse events and activities.

our Vision

Vision Statement
To be the leading community hub for active living, wellness and social connections in the National Capital Region.

Our Values

Respect for All: We are committed to creating accessible spaces, services, and opportunities for everyone, ensuring that all individuals—regardless of age, background, or ability—feel welcome, valued, and have the opportunity to participate.
Community: We believe in the power of social connections and strive to create a supportive environment where individuals and families can collaborate, through engaging and active experiences.
Innovation and Partnerships: We are future-focused, harnessing a collective expertise in sports and wellness to deliver high-quality programming and drive continuous improvement.
Integrity: We are committed to sustainability, transparency, and accountability, ensuring our actions reflect our dedication to positively impacting both the community and the environment.

Code of Ethics

The RA is an association of members of similar ideals who:
- Respect people and property.
- Support the activities to the maximum degree possible.
- Strive to achieve safe and honourable participation.
- Take pride in the RA and exhibit sportsmanship.
- Participate to have fun and be fit.

The Association is committed to providing an environment that is free of violence and harassment for all members, visitors and employees. Copies of the Member Policy relating to Harassment, Discrimination, Violence or Breach of the RA Code of Ethics are available upon request at the Member Services East Desk.

2025-2029 STRATEGIC PLAN

Please review the RA Centre's 2025-2029 Strategic Plan here: racentre-strategicplan2025-2029.pdf

Creating a Culture of Inclusivity & Diversity

The RA is a not-for-profit association that has been proudly serving the community for almost 80 years. We'd like to take a moment to share a message with our members, potential members and the broader community, affirming our commitment to creating a welcoming and safe place for everyone.

RA Recognition & Awards Program

The RA's Recognition and Awards Program celebrates our vibrant community and gives special recognition to those who have made a meaningful difference in our community.

Stars of the RA

The RA – Home of the...

House of Sport

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 benefit member organizations and the Canadian sport community. Working under one roof, this collaborative hub creates opportunities for sharing costs, best practices, business development opportunities and communication networks.

Read more about the House of Sport.

Curling Centre of Excellence

The CCE continues to evolve through a multi-year plan expanding programming and training opportunities, partnering with provincial and national organizations and events to leverage the creation of a stadium ice experience. Programming centres around the longstanding and successful RA Curling Club leagues, activities, and learn-to-curl programs. An expansion of wheelchair, para, and junior curling, the introduction of high-performance training camps and specialty curling clinics will support Long Term Development (LTD) for all ages and abilities and celebrate the spirit of curling excellence. In addition, by partnering with key stakeholders including CurlON, Ottawa Valley Curling Association, Curling Canada and Ottawa Tourism, the RA is working to welcome international, national and provincial level events that would otherwise not be coming to Ottawa.

Read more about the RA Curling Centre of Excellence.

Our Story...

A Brief History of the RA

Since 1941 the RA has been providing memorable experiences to residents in the National Capital Region. The RA’s model of engagement has enabled members and the community to participate, socialize and explore health and wellness opportunities through ever-evolving facilities and programs ever since.

In the beginning, the RA was volunteer-run, operating out of a variety of locations offering Federal public servants recreation and leisure opportunities to enhance their lives. These early activities which included hockey, a radio show, card games, dances and tennis created a community of people – the early explorers of health and wellness.

Over time the RA began to take root. The Association planted a solid foundation through investment and the creation of a central hub in the form of the RA Lodge located off Wellington Street where Library and Archives Canada is now located. In 1943 thousands of federal public servants were RA members, meeting and playing in 23 separate rented facilities.
Our thriving Association needed further investment and expansion. In 1953 Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent announced a long-term loan of $500k to build a new building.  This plus a capital campaign with RA members allowed the RA Board of Directors to start the design of the building with local architects, Hazelgrove & Lithwick. While the original site where Carleton University is now located was deemed unsuitable, another plot of land near the Rideau River offered 32 acres on a 100 year lease.

In 1958 Prime Minister John Diefenbaker laid the cornerstone on the  W. Clifford Clark Memorial Recreation Centre, now the west wing of the RA Centre, where it remains today. The RA continued to expand requiring additional facilities for fitness, curling and hockey. This need for more play spaces led to the expansion of the Central wing in 1966 and the East wing in 1978.

During this period of growth the RA built up 250,000 square feet of play space while continuing to strengthen the RA’s central foundation of gathering, social experiences and wellness.

Over the years the RA has connected people and encouraged those in the National Capital Region to live healthier more social lives.. Our members have grabbed hold of the RA as a means to be a part of the community experience, essential to living their lives through the lenses of fun, social, sport and recreation.

The 1990s brought about dramatic changes to the financial health and positioning of the RA in the community. While our organization still offered a wide range of activities and sports, as well as banquets and meeting spaces, the funding model changed. The Federal Government conducted a full review of all its programs and services, including its role in the operation of the RA Centre. By the end of the review, the RA Centre was to operate 100% on our own. This new autonomous reality encouraged a move towards greater inclusion.  In the late-90’s, the RA Centre opened its doors beyond the federal public service and welcomed all members of the community.

As the 21st century began, the RA needed to streamline operations, offer value added services and grow membership. In 2004 the RA purchased the Rideau Tennis Club, a historic club located on the banks of the Rideau River. The Rideau Tennis Club remained in the RA family until 2017 when after careful consideration, it was determined that the Association would focus resources on the operations at 2451 Riverside Drive – the RA Centre.

This renewed focus resulted in an $8 million investment to design and develop the House of Sport, a unique and innovative sports hub re-purposing 37,000 square feet in the west wing of the RA Centre. This first in Canada project, integrating over 40 partners the majority being National and multi-sport organizations, has received international interest and recognition. The realization of the House of Sport has revitalized the west wing, energized RA staff and members and will fuel future initiatives. In addition, we have a proven model which will influence the next three years of design and strategy as we develop a 200,000 square foot addition.

The RA is in the early stages of building a revolutionary Sport for Life & Rehabilitation Centre that will integrate health care, recreation, sport and fitness in ways never witnessed in the Canadian landscape. To do this the RA has developed a new strategic framework which will propel and inspire staff and members to share their stories.

A Brief Timeline

1943 - The RA Lodge was located off Wellington Street where Library and Archives Canada in now
1953 - The RA broke ground on a new building on a plot of land near the Rideau River
1958 - Prime Minister John Diefenbaker laid the cornerstone on the W. Clifford Clark Memorial Recreation Centre
1978 - A “fish-eye” view of the RA’s new badminton facility
2018 - House of Sport official opening
Stay Tuned.... "Phase 2"

Confederation Heights - A Comprehensive Master Plan

Please contact Anne Paliwal if you have any questions on the RA's continued involvement in this multi-year process. Canada Lands Company and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) are working together to develop a comprehensive Master Plan for Confederation Heights. The RA is actively involved in the process along with other important stakeholders such as Canada Post, Health Canada, the NCC, City of Ottawa, public utilities, and federal tenant groups, among others.

We are pleased that we have been engaged since the onset of the project and are excited about our continued involvement in helping to shape the vision for the future of Confederation Heights. This is an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen our not-for-profit organization and the ways in which we will continue to serve the National Capital Region.

The public engagement process will offer several opportunities to participate as part of the master planning process. We encourage you to stay involved in the process and help shape Confederation Heights for the coming decades.

Read more about the Master Plan for Confederation Heights.