A community situated in the northwest corner of Cumberland Ward underwent one of the largest population changes in the National Capital Region according to analysis of the latest Census data tracks for 2016, released in February 2017. Since the last Census data was collected in 2011, Avalon has demonstrated a %79.9 increase in residents over the five-year period.

Source: Statistics Canada

Stephen Blais, Ottawa City Councilor for Cumberland, mentions the appeal of Avalon is present in many accessible services, notably for families, as this is the demographic that gravitates to Avalon the most. “The area is serviced by two large community centres with programs for families, Francois Dupuis and Ray Friel”. The Francois Dupuis Recreation Centre, which opened in 2013, is located right in the heart of Avalon, and “is expanding to include a full gym and multipurpose room”, according to Blais.

Another draw the for the area, according to Blais, is that the Ray Friel Recreation Complex, built over 25 years ago, also services the area and includes a wave pool, weight room, cardio room, the ice rinks and a library.

While these services may be available in other areas of the city, there’s something about Orleans that encourages people to come back. Blais mentioned that when he looks at his high school yearbook, he notices that between 2/3 and ¾ of the people have left Orleans or Ottawa, but when it came time to have a family and settle down, they’ve come back to Orleans.

Christine Groleau, General Manager at Tumblers Gymnastics Centre, mentions what’s really unique about Orleans, and also why Avalon would be such an attractive place to live as one of many locations to return to. She’s lived in Orleans since around the mid-1970s, and although it’s growing, it still feels the same as back then, she says. “People help each other, and there’s a strong sense of community. It hasn’t lost the village feel”.

Tumblers responds to the growth in Avalon, while still retaining this village feel. The space serves as an anchor point for the community, and functions as a social hub, where people can “socialize, have coffee, meet other people and form social support networks”, according to Groleau.

This business model has proven to be successful. When I arrived during one of the casual drop in sessions on a Saturday night, it was evident that people most of the people already knew each other. The employee working at the front counter greeted many people by name, and parents as well as children made small talk before heading into the gym to roll and tumble. Parents chatted with each other while their children long-jumped in the gym.

The centre works well in this regard, ensuring a welcome and inclusive atmosphere. Programs range from competitive to recreational, and membership is around 2000. However Groleau emphasizes the focus is on recreational programs and creating a community hub. Out of the 2000, only about 130 members are “competitive who go for tryouts”. For those who don’t wish to enroll, there are drop-in times for families, to pay as you go for free play; and adding to this sense of inclusivity, the offers bilingual programs, recognizing the needs of the area’s Francophone and Anglophone populations and during the drop-in session, English and French mix well among the ambient sound of laughter and play.

©Saalem Humayun

Tumblers looks forward to moving to a new location in the near future. Black Sheep Developments, with Bruce Firestone on the team, is planning a new sports centre on Mer Bleue Road between Innes Road and Brian Coburn. The new centre, designed by Louis Cardinal, will feature Tumblers as one of its main anchor tenants, to continue to address the area’s growth. Groleau, smilingly, looks forward to the new space, expected to open by summer 2018 or January 2019.