‘People crave these public spaces’: NCC marks 1 million visits to waterfront sites this summer

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A successful summer for NCC waterfront sites

NCC Celebrates 1M Visitors to Waterfront Destinations

The National Capital Commission (NCC) is celebrating a successful summer in Ottawa-Gatineau.

The NCC says it saw more than one million visits to its landmark waterfront sites: Dow’s Lake, River House, Westboro Beach and Kìwekì Point.

“The overwhelmingly positive public response is a clear indication of interest and appreciation for vibrant, world-class destinations that showcase the National Capital Region’s rich natural beauty and cultural heritage,” the NCC said in a news release Friday.

These sites have undergone transformations, launches, and relaunches in recent years, and the NCC says there is more to come.

CEO Tobi Nussbaum joined CTV Your Morning Ottawa on Friday to celebrate the milestone.

“We are, of course, so, so pleased that the public has taken to these great sites. It’s an affirmation of the great work the team has done,” Nussbaum said. “I think it’s actually gone beyond our expectations. I think we knew these sites were going to be popular, but the extent to which they’ve become part of the fabric of the capital region and the extent to which people really crave these great public spaces.”

NCC River House opened in 2023 after a multimillion-dollar facelift and has proven to be a popular destination, where people can swim in the Ottawa River or enjoy a snack at the bistro.

This summer saw the launch of the recreational dock at Dow’s Lake, the newly renovated pavilion at Westboro Beach, and the completion of the $45-million rehabilitation project at Kìwekì Point, known formerly as Nepean Point.

“Of the four sites we opened, three of the four have swimming, and what we are really realizing is that this is a capital that craves those opportunities. Swimming is fun to do. It’s a great thing to do with friends and family, so that has been a real revelation for us,” Nussbaum said.

He added that the NCC is looking at expanding access to shorelines in Ottawa-Gatineau with future offerings, and is exploring more ways to enjoy these spaces in the winter, such as with saunas.

“We don’t know the exact timing yet. It’s going to start with River House, but we are looking at additional locations as well. We want to make sure these places are not just enjoyed in the summer months, they’re enjoyed 12 months a year,” he said.

Earlier this year, the NCC put out a request for proposals to design, build and operate a floating sauna that would sit near River House. The NCC also says the new Westboro Beach pavilion’s restaurant will be open year-round and will be accessible by ski on the Kìchì Sìbì Winter Trail.

Future expansions include the East Wharf project along the Ottawa River near the Rideau Canal locks, a new waterfront node as part of the Lady Grey rehabilitation wall project behind the Royal Canadian Mint, and a new lookout site on the Gatineau shoreline. More swimming docks are also planned for 2026, with details to be determined.

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