On November 25, 2025 we marked the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the Goulbourn Recreation Complex, now known as CARDELREC–Goulbourn.
Town Crier Daniel Richer Dit Laflêche opened the ceremony with a proclamation, as he did in 2000 for the official opening ceremonies. We were joined by Janet Stavinga, the final Mayor of Goulbourn Township, and the first City Councillor for Stittsville in the amalgamated City of Ottawa, along with her former council colleague Louise Beggs. Janet spoke about the history of the building and the the hurdles they had to overcome to get the facility built.
Guests included Bob Mills, Director of Recreation for Goulbourn Township, current staff from CARDELREC-Goulbourn and the City Parks & Recreation department, former Goulbourn township staff, and many volunteers and community leaders who were part of the planning and construction of the building a quarter-century ago.
Every day, people of all ages, backgrounds, from all over the city visit the facility. Thank goodness we have CARDELREC-Goulbourn as part of Stittsville, I can’t imagine the community without it. And thank you to everyone in this room – and those could not be there, who had a hand in making the event possible.
A special thank you to Brittney Check and the staff from CARDELREC-Goulbourn; Catherine Musgrove from my office; and everyone who shared memories and memorabilia. A special thanks to Sandra McDowell who dropped by our office in October with a commemorative towel from the grand opening, and alerted us to this important milestone!
–Councillor Glen
Photos and videos by Catherine Musgrove and Marlova Martin
Town Crier Daniel Richer Dit Laflêche
Former Goulbourn Township Mayor Janet Stavinga
Councillor Glen Gower, Town Crier Daniel Richer Dit Laflêche, Former Goulbourn Township Mayor Janet Stavinga, Former Goulbourn Township Councillor Louise Beggs.
Goulbourn Township recreation director Bob Mills, Councillor Glen Gower, recreation committee member Lyn Aresnault, Town Crier, Janet Stavinga, Louise Beggs, recreation committee member Peter Sturrus.
A photo from the opening of the facility in 2000. Left to right: Town Crier Daniel Richer Dit Laflêche, Former Goulbourn Township Mayor Janet Stavinga, Former Goulbourn Township Councillors Louise Beggs, Michael Bryan, and Steven Lewis.
