---
title: "Eight Ward 6 candidates describe their plans on recreation access in Stittsville"
description: "Stittsville Central asked all nine Ward 6 candidates how they would improve local recreation, affordability and transit access. Eight candidates responded. Their answers cover swimming lesson waitlists, park space, transit gaps and first-year plans."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/ward-6-recreation-survey-2026-10-18"
last_updated: "2026-10-19T04:26:11.242Z"
---

Eight of the nine candidates running for councillor in Ward 6 Stittsville have laid out their plans for recreation access, affordability and transit, in a written survey published by Stittsville Central on Oct. 18.

[Theresa Qadri](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/theresa-qadri) was invited to take part but had not submitted answers by the deadline, according to the article. The other eight candidates answered questions covering gaps in local facilities, how to make programs affordable, transit and accessibility barriers, and what each would do in their first year in office.

The City of Ottawa estimated Ward 6's population at 55,740 at the end of 2025. Several candidates connected that growth to the gaps they described.

## What candidates say is missing

Limited spots in recreation programs was a common concern. [Chelsea Walton](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/chelsea-walton) and [Tanya Hein](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/tanya-hein) both named swimming lessons and ice time. [Sheetal Narwal](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/sheetal-narwal) raised swimming, camps, soccer fields and ice time. [Devin Michael Fitzgerald O'Brien](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/devin-michael-fitzgerald-o-brien) described waitlists at CARDELREC for swimming and skating.

[Kevin Hua](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/kevin-hua) linked limited program spaces to the ward's growth and named Crossway Terrace Park, Fringewood Park and Joe Lewis Park as examples of parks residents consider too small for their communities.

For older children and teens, [Paul Meek](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/paul-meek) said those aged 11 to 15 who do not play sports have few options. Walton, [Mani Sharma](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/mani-sharma) and [Marie-Ange Yindaki Ahinful](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/marie-ange-yindaki-ahinful) also emphasized options beyond organized sports.

## Affordability: what already exists and what candidates propose

The City of Ottawa runs Ottawa Hand in Hand, which the article says provides $185 in annual recreation fee support for each qualifying individual or family member. The City also offers free swimming and skating for children and youth through Play Free.

Several candidates proposed making more use of existing facilities, expanding drop-in hours and improving how residents learn about fee support. Sharma would pursue business and community sponsorships and make available support easier to find. Narwal would push for online or telephone applications rather than requiring a trip to a recreation facility.

## First-year plans

Candidates described different actions they would take in their first year. O'Brien said he would deliver a multi-use outdoor court and covered gathering space, with lighting, seating and accessible pathways. Narwal would gather resident input on an all-ages hub within 200 days, publish the results and formally request a site and funding. Hua named public toilets as his first priority, seeking a larger ward budget allocation for them. Sharma proposed an activity and access plan that would include at least one new low-cost teen drop-in and one daytime seniors' program.

## Voting day

Ward 6 votes on Oct. 26, 2026. Voting places will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can find all nine Ward 6 candidates with more background on each one at the [Ward 6 Stittsville candidates page](/on/ottawa-2026/races/councillor/ward-6-stittsville).

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/on/ottawa-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.