Posted on Nov 26, 2013 in Business & Politics
By Ethan Cabel Ottawa’s advertising and sponsorship program has failed to meet revenue targets projected to benefit the parks and recreation department, leading at least one influential councillor to call for an end to the initiative. The City of Ottawa approved the advertising and sponsorship program in 2011 as part of a concerted effort to generate private revenue sources, largely affecting parks and recreation facilities that are susceptible to advertising opportunities like naming rights and advertising contracts at hockey arenas. As part of a summary of risks, a recent budget briefing note on parks and recreation stated that “advertising and sponsorship remain a challenge to achieve.” It went on...
Posted on Nov 26, 2013 in Health & Wellness
By Sarah Turnbull and Roberta Bell Ottawa has witnessed a boom in the popularity of CrossFit workouts in the past two years but many coaches and gym-goers say these exercises can be dangerous if not executed properly. Developed in 2000 by Californian Greg Glassman for military and police conditioning, CrossFit is a strength and conditioning exercise regimen that focuses primarily on core stability, flexibility, and strength training. CrossFit is considered a high-intensity workout as it pushes gym-goers to the ultimate fitness test. The training involves power lifting of heavy weights and also requires members to do push-ups, burpees and jump rope at a high speed with multiple repetitions. While...
Posted on Nov 26, 2013 in Sports & Recreation
By Paige Parsons and Fangliang Xu The penalty box got a little crowded during the dying moments of a 1-1 tie game between the Carleton University Ravens ringette team and the Carlsbad ladies ‘A’ team on Monday night. The Ravens dominated in the first period, spending most of the half in the Carlsbad end. Nevertheless, the 1-1 score stuck and both teams had shutouts in the second half. “We definitely could have played a little better,” said Leah Morrell, veteran Ravens goalie and third-year mechanical engineering student. The tie game is almost a metaphor for the Ravens’ results so far this season: they’re not quite at the top of...
Posted on Nov 26, 2013 in Sports & Recreation
By Roberta Bell and Sarah Turnbull There were only half a dozen players when the Ottawa Power Wheelchair Hockey League was launched in 2009. Now there are more than 40. That’s enough for four full teams —the Sharks, Gators, Bears and Wolves—who meet Sunday afternoons to play at the Greenboro Community Centre. Dimpho Tshegetsang, the captain of the Gators, has been playing electric-wheelchair hockey since 2010. “When Sunday comes, I just switch my mind,” Tshegetsang said. “I really love the game because… people with disabilities using the mobile chairs are getting the chance to play the game as other people who are physically fit.” Players use wheelchairs for different...
Posted on Nov 26, 2013 in Sports & Recreation
Carleton University vs. University of Ottawa at the Canadian Quidditch Cup 2013 in Toronto. Click the photo to view an audio slideshow on Ottawa’s university Quidditch teams. Audio slideshow by Ariana Armstrong and Kiran Rana. Cover photo by Victoria...
Posted on Nov 26, 2013 in Health & Wellness
By Emanuela Campanella Cody Sorensen is training hard with one goal in mind: a spot on the Canadian bobsled team in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. “My nine to five is training, recovery, massage therapy and nutrition,” the Ottawa native says. “It’s not too many people who get to wear the red and white colours and get to represent their country,” he says. “That’s what it’s all about.” A typical day of training for Sorenson consists of a three-hour workout, which he says includes a warm up, sprinting and stretching. He then lifts weights for a couple of hours and finishes up with an hour of...
