The National Arts Centre wishes to advise all patrons that they may face significant challenges getting to, and parking nearby, the NAC during Ottawa Race Weekend, May 25-26. Tens of thousands of people will converge on the downtown core during the weekend, some roads will be closed, and parking may be difficult to find.

NAC PARKING GARAGE

The National Arts Centre underground parking garage will be open both days (Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.). Please bear in mind that it is a public garage and parking spaces are filled on a first come-first served basis. A ticket to an NAC performance does not guarantee a parking spot in the NAC garage. Patrons may experience significant delays in entering or exiting the NAC garage during Ottawa Race Weekend. Parking entrances are located on Elgin St. at the corner of Slater St. and on Albert St.

Below is a list of road closures, the Ottawa Race Weekend schedule, a schedule of performances at the National Arts Centre, and a list of alternate parking possibilities.

ROAD CLOSURES

• Queen Elizabeth Drive is closed from Somerset St. W. to the NAC all weekend from 8:00 a.m. Friday May 24 to 6 p.m. Sunday May 26
• The Laurier Ave. off ramp onto Queen Elizabeth Drive is closed from 8:00 a.m. Friday May 24 to 6 p.m. Sunday May 26

On Saturday, May 25, 2013:

• Laurier Ave. (Nicholas St. to Elgin St.) 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
• Elgin St. (Laurier Ave. to Catherine St.) 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
• Elgin St., both directions (from Laurier Ave. to Queen Street) 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. (cross traffic allowed before and after race starts)
• Queen Elizabeth Dr., Pretoria to NAC closed all weekend
• Traffic exiting NAC parking garage after matinees shows will have to be directed to Albert Street exit only.
• Expect delays exiting the garage.
• Traffic exiting NAC parking garage after evening performances will proceed as usual.

RACE SCHEDULE – Saturday, May 25

Time	Event	Location
9:00 a.m.	Running Room Friendship Run	Festival Plaza, Ottawa City Hall
4:00 p.m.	Ottawa 2K	Corner of Laurier Ave. and Elgin Street
5:00 p.m.	Ottawa 5K	Corner of Laurier Ave. and Elgin Street
6:30 p.m.	Ottawa 10K	Corner of Laurier Ave. and Elgin Street

All races start at or close to the corner of Laurier St. and Elgin St. and finish at the Cartier Drill Hall adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Driveway.
 

NAC SCHEDULE – Saturday, May 25

Time	Event	Location
1:00 p.m.	Studio de Danse Mylène Voyer	Southam Hall
2:00 p.m.	Miss Caledonia	Studio
7:00 p.m.	Studio de Danse Mylène Voyer	Southam Hall
7:30 p.m.	Lemi Ponifasio/MAU Birds With Skymirrors	Theatre
7:30 p.m.	Geggie Jazz Series	Fourth Stage
8:00 p.m.	Miss Caledonia	Studio

ALTERNATE PARKING

• Advantage Parking (Delta Ottawa Hotel)
  361 Queen St. (between Bay St. and Lyon St.)
• Canpark Services
  88 Metcalfe St. (corner of Slater St. and Metcalfe St.)
• Capital Parking                  
  84 Gloucester St. (between O’Connor St. and Metcalfe St.)
  120 Gloucester St. (between Bank St. and O’Connor St.)
• Car Park Management Services
  267 Dalhousie St (between Murray St. and St. Patrick St.)
• Chateau Laurier Hotel
  1 Rideau St., entrances from Rideau St. and MacKenzie St.
• Clarica Life Insurance Co.
  99 Bank St., entrance at 123 Queen St. (between Bank St. and O’Connor St.)
• Impark                  
  200-280 Metcalfe St. (between Gilmour St. and MacLaren St.)
  150 Albert St. (between O’Connor St. and Metcalfe St.) under the Sheraton Ottawa Hotel
  145 O'Connor St. (L’Esplanade Laurier between Gloucester St. and Laurier St.)
  272 Queen St. (between Kent St. and Bank St.)
  99 Gloucester St. (between O’Connor St. and Metcalfe St.)
  Constitution Square, 320 - 360 Albert St. (between Lyon St. and Kent St.), entrance on Slater St.
  320 Queen St. (between Kent St. and Bank St.)
• Gilad Parking
  265 Laurier Ave. (between Bank St. and O’Connor St.)
• Ottawa City Hall
  111 Lisgar St., entrance on Nepean St. east of Elgin St.
• Place Bell
  160 Elgin St., entrances on Gloucester St. and Nepean St. (between Metcalfe St. and Elgin St.)
• Place De Ville
  320 Queen St. (between Kent St. and Bank St.), entrances from Queen St. or Albert St.
• Rideau Centre
  entrances on Daly Ave. (between Colonel By Drive and Nicholas St.) and on Nicholas St.
• Vinci Park     
  130 Slater St. (between O'Connor St. and Metcalfe St.)
  199 Slater St. (between Bank St. and O’Connor St.)
  88 Metcalfe St. (corner of Slater St. and Metcalfe St.)
  261 Somerset St. (corner of Somerset St. and Metcalfe St.)
  260 MacLaren St. (between O’Connor St. and Metcalfe St.)
  L’Esplanade Laurier, 300 Laurier St. W., entrance on Gloucester St.
  41 George St. across from The Bay in the Byward Market
• World Exchange Plaza
  45 O’Connor St., entrance at the corner of Albert St. and Metcalfe St.

 

For additional information, visit the NAC website at nac-cna.ca or the Ottawa Race Weekend website at runottawa.ca.

 

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For information, please call:
Sean Fitzpatrick, Communications Officer, National Arts Centre English Theatre
613-947-7000 ext. 389; e-mail: sean.fitzpatrick@nac-cna.ca
or visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca