Orillia Community Services
50 Andrew Street South L3V 7T5 Orillia, ON, Canada

Attention Winter Trail Users! For the enjoyment of walkers and joggers, the entire trail from J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park to Wilson's Point Road will be plowed on a regular basis this winter. Additionally, the boardwalk will be lit at night as well.

They may not look like regular paper airplanes, but they are guaranteed to fly every time! Assemble several in different colors and let the flying competitions begin! You will need: cardstock / heavy paper, straws and tape Step 1: Start by cutting 5" x 1" strips of card stock. Each airplane will need three strips. Step 2: Once the strips are cut, tape two of the strips together at the ends. You now have one 5-inch strip and one strip that is approximately 10 inches long. Step... 3: Tape the ends of each strip together to create a circle. Repeat this step on the other strip. Step 4: Once both circles are made, use a piece of tape to secure the end of the straw inside the large circle. Step 5: Repeat the step with the small circle, securing it to the opposite end of the straw. Step 6: Get ready for liftoff! See more

Time to say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021!

Make new friends through play at this one-hour playgroup. Parents can enjoy some social time while their kids play with our giant block set, sports equipment and toys! This is not an instructed course; parents will be responsible for their children during the drop-in program. Pre-register at Orillia.ca/sun

Rick Ley, a professional hockey player was with the Toronto Maple Leafs for four seasons after being drafted by them in 1966. In 1972, Ley joined the new rival World Hockey Association, where he was named captain of the New England Whalers and won a league championship before the league was absorbed into the NHL in 1979. In 1990, Ley was a character inductee into the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame. After a career-ending injury, he turned to coaching, serving many posit...ions leading up to assistant coach of the Vancouver Canucks. Along with Coach Quinn, he led the team all the way to game seven of the Stanly Cup Finals in 1991. Ley took over as coach of the Canucks in 1994. In 1998, he became assistant coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Growing up in Orillia and playing hockey for the Y Men’s Hockey League before being drafted by the Niagara Galls Flyers at the age of fifteen, Ley has brought great pride to his hometown. See more

Do you need to cancel your drop-in appointment? Don’t forget to call us and let us know! Cancelling your appointment opens up slots for other people who are on the waitlist! Visit Orillia.ca/dropin to see what types of programs we offer and sign up today!

This year, for the enjoyment of walkers and joggers, the entire trail from J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park to Wilson's Point Road will be plowed on a regular basis throughout the winter. The boardwalk will be lit at night as well.

Bring colour inside! All you need is a window, painter's tape, and some watercolour paints. Share your stained glass masterpiece!

Today, instead of a traditional snowman we’ve made an upside-down snowman! What sort of clever outdoor ideas do you have?

Today is the day! Visit Orillia.ca/sun to sign up for a variety of recreation programs from our Winter Made Fun guide.

Mark your calendars! Registration for our Winter Made Fun programs starts tomorrow. Visit Orillia.ca/SUN to view program dates and times!

Due to the 28-day province-wide shutdown, the Orillia Recreation Centre, Brian Orser Arena and Rotary Place are closed to the public until at least Jan. 23, 2021. All recreation programs and drop-in programs and facility rentals are also suspended during the shutdown. Read more at Orillia.ca/SUN

The City of Orillia wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday!

Looking Back! Since its opening in 1895, the Orillia Opera House has been a focal point for the cultural life in the City of Orillia. This photo was taken in 1982!

As of Saturday, Dec. 26 at 12:01 a.m., the Province of Ontario is implementing a province-wide shutdown, which will remain in effect in Orillia for 28 days (until Jan. 23, 2021). During this period, the Orillia Recreation Centre, Brian Orser Arena and Rotary Place are closed to the public. All recreation programs and drop-in programs and facility rentals are suspended during the shutdown. Read more at Orillia.ca/SUN

Skor Bars are easy to make and even easier to eat. Ingredients: 1 cup butter or margarine, softened (250 mL) 1 cup packed light brown sugar (250 mL) 1 egg yolk (1)... 1 tsp vanilla (5 mL) 2 cups all-purpose flour (500 mL) 1 1/4 cups CHIPITS SKOR Toffee Bits, divided (200 g) 2 cups CHIPITS Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (300 g) Directions: 1. Heat oven to 350F (180C). 2. In large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla until creamy. 3. Stir in flour and 1 cup (250 mL) of the toffee bits. Press into ungreased 15-1/2 x 10-1/2 inch (39 x 27 cm) jelly roll pan. 4. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until light brown. Immediately sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips over top. Let stand until softened, about 5 minutes; spread evenly over top. Sprinkle with remaining toffee bits. Let cool completely. Cut into 3-inch (7.5 cm) squares; cut each square diagonally into 4 triangles. Makes 60 triangles. See more

Feel good in your body as a new mama. We will work with gentle stretches to help reduce fatigue and tension while promoting strength, flexibility, balance, relaxation and improve circulation. Register at Orillia.ca/SUN

Join us for a CRAFTERNOON. The afternoon will be filled with multiple crafts that you get to create and decorate, then take home to enjoy!

Join us for festivities with the entire family! Throughout the holiday season, we’re offering variety of crafts and recreation activities.

Grab the whole family for some festive fun! Enjoy some physical activity and follow-up with a craft or story with us.

We are offering a number of drop-in skates at Rotary Place and the Brian Orser Arena for the whole family. Please note that all attendees must be pre-registered due to COVID-19 protocols. Reserve your spot today by visiting Orillia.ca/sun.

What is open gym? Open gym is unstructured activity time where the gymnasium is available to community members of all ages to play pick-up sports such as basketball or volleyball, participate in fitness stations, run laps, etc. Preregister at Orillia.ca/sun.

The City of Orillia’s Winter Made Fun guide, featuring all our programs, including aquatics in the new Orillia Recreation Centre, will be available for viewing online on Thursday, Dec. 10. Online registration is required and will begin on Friday, Dec. 11. If you require assistance with registration, please call the ORC at 705-325-4386 (4FUN).

Our Adult Skate drop-in program is specifically for adults who wish to skate for fun and exercise. Visit Orillia.ca/SUN and register for an Adult Skate today!

Our Drop-in Open Swims are open to all ages and swimmer types. This swim includes the Lap and Leisure pools. Visit Orillia.ca/SUN to pre-register for the program.

Are you interested in drop-in programs, such as yoga? To ensure health protocols are met, pre-registration is required for all programs. You can now register up to 24 hours in advance of the drop-in program you wish to attend. Visit Orillia.ca/sun to register.

Do you need to cancel your drop in appointment at the Orillia Recreation Centre? Don’t forget to call and let us know! Cancelling your appointment opens up slots for other people who are on the waitlist!

Badminton is a fascinating game! One moment you are striking the birdie with all your strength, the next you are touching it gently to pop it over the net. Come out and play a game that is both physically and mentally rewarding. Pre-register at Orillia.ca/sun

Why not treat the family to a holiday skate or shinny hockey. We have ice times available at both Rotary Place and the Brian Orser Arena between Christmas and New Year’s. Call 705-325-3506 for availability and information on how to book.

Make new friends through play at this one-hour play group. Parents can enjoy some social time while their kids play with our giant block set, sports equipment and toys! This is not an instructed course so parents will be responsible for their children during the drop-in program. Pre-register at Orillia.ca/sun

Did you know that Rotary Place is available for booking on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day? Why not treat the family to a holiday skate or some shinny hockey. Call 705-325-3506 for availability and information on how to book.

Our Drop-in Open Swims are open to all ages and swimmer types. This swim includes the Lap Pool and Leisure Pool. Visit Orillia.ca/SUN to pre-register for the program.

Saddle up and experience the most enjoyable and effective workout ever. Our spin classes are ideal for people of all levels of fitness and experience, whether you are new to exercise or a regular gym junkie! The joy of spinning is that you are always in complete control. Using a resistance dial on your individual spin bike, our experienced instructors bring you through a series of hills, intervals and sprints encouraging you to challenge yourself every step of the way to achieve your individual goals. Visit Orillia.ca/sun to pre-register

The change in season is inspiring us to create ice sculptures! All you need is imagination, food coloring and balloons. Simply fill a balloon with water and a drop of food coloring, place outside in the snow overnight to freeze and voila - a beautiful ice orb. The possibilities are endless. Try making a snow caterpillar or if the conditions are right, these ice orbs are a great addition to a snow fort!

Interested in going for a swim, playing pickleball or working out at the Orillia Recreation Centre? Time slots are open for registration on-line. In order to register for drop-in programs, visit Orillia.ca/sun.

Interested in going for a lane swim, playing pickleball or working out at the new Orillia Recreation Centre? Time slots are now open for registration. In order to register for drop-in programs, visit Orillia.ca/sun.

Want to give HIIT a try at the new Orillia Recreation Centre? HIIT (High intensity interval training) workouts combine short bursts of intense exercise with periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise. Visit Orillia.ca/SUN and sign up today!

We are offering a number of drop-in skates at Rotary Place and the Brian Orser Arena, including Preschool/Homeschool skates, adult and senior skates as well as public skating for all. In order to reserve your spot in our drop-in skates, visit Orillia.ca/sun.

We are thrilled to unveil the City of Orillia’s newest park - Walter Henry Park! Our 8.3-acre park features a mini zipline, a butterfly garden, skateboard zone, toboggan hill and a waterplay tunnel! Walter Henry was a famous boxer who won 385 of the 403 fights that comprised his career. Born in Hong Kong and schooled in Ireland, his family moved to Canada, where Henry found great pride in his new community of Orillia. Voted as Orillia’s Greatest Athlete in 2015, mutual adoration was established with this remarkable sportsman, who said with passion, I’m from Orillia, and proud of it!

The Orillia City Centre will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11 for Remembrance Day. All of our other facilities, including the new Orillia Recreation Centre, Rotary Place and the Brian Orser Arena, are operating under regular business hours. The City Centre will resume regular business on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please take a moment to honour our past and present military personnel. Lest We Forget!