Lusitânia of Ottawa – 60 years of history

In the year it celebrates its 60^th anniversary, Lusitânia Portuguese Recreation Centre of Ottawa-Hull is still recovering from the effects of the covid-19 pandemic. A group of committed local Luso-Canadians were instrumental in the preservation of the organization during restrictions and lockdowns and, more recently, in the task of returning it to a stable position.     

Paula Nascimento, former President and current Vice-President of the association, is one such individual. In a conversation held in April of 2023, she recalled her husband, Paulo Nascimento, leaving Lusitânia in great financial shape at the end of his mandate, just before the pandemic. “Before covid, we did renovations to the club. When my husband finished that year, we had $35,000 in the bank. Then, covid hit and in two years we had no money. I had to lend money to the club so we could pay the bills. During covid, we did take-out, sold meals to try to survive. That’s how we tried to survive. Then we started organizing parties, and doing a lot of rentals. It’s been helping a lot. The club has $2,700 in monthly expenses”, she revealed.

Currently, the organization promotes one monthly event for its members and supporters, each with a different theme, as Nascimento stated: “Before covid, we were doing two events a month. Right now, we are doing one event a month. We have S. João, S. Martinho, Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, Baile da Pinha, Mother’s Day and many others. We also have a market centre. People come and rent out tables and they sell stuff. Now that covid is gone, we are trying to bring events back. If we don’t have a party, we rent the hall.”

It was out of a soccer team, called Lusitânia, that the organization was formed in 1963. For decades, it participated in the local leagues, at both adult and youth levels, until it eventually stopped competing due to lack of funds. However, Paula Nascimento informed that there is strong interest from a notable sponsor to help the organization revive the sport. “We want to start with kids or youth. Before 2019, it was adults – young men and old-timers”, she stated.

The Portuguese school, founded in 1967, once thrived in the community and in the classrooms of the local catholic school board. Paula Nascimento was first a student and later a teacher at the school until it permanently ceased to operate in 2013. Currently, Luís de Camões Portuguese School (founded in 1981) is the only organization that teaches the language in Ottawa. However, Paula Nascimento believes that it is possible to restore the Portuguese school at the association and, thus, create more opportunities for local children and youth to learn the language. 

The participation of youth in the events promoted by the organization is important to the current administration. The possible return of soccer will undoubtedly help the cause, but there are other plans to create activities that captivate the interest of the younger Luso-Canadians, including the revival of the former youth group. “We did have a youth group, but not anymore. Now we have a lot of youth attending because the young generation has kids. At the last party, we had 13 kids with their parents”, Nascimento stated.

As the population of Portuguese Canadians who reside in Ottawa gradually deviate from its roots, so does participation in the local community events. However, Lusitânia continues to attract a large pool of dedicated individuals who intend to preserve our heritage in the nation’s capital. The organization’s events draw sizeable crowds of participants of all ages, but it is at the administrative level that the strongest commitment is noticed, as Nascimento revealed: “Right now, we have a big group and everybody is vying to stay more than a year. We are thinking of renovating the front of the club this year for the 60^th anniversary, have a little facelift. We installed new floors and a new washroom. Now we need the kitchen and the front done. It’s usually people from the board who do it. When we ask for help, people help.”

Currently, Lusitânia has nearly one hundred paying members. Among the benefits are discounts for the rental of the hall. The association charges an annual fee of $84 for one to become a member.

Although Portuguese immigration to the Ottawa region has halted long ago, the organization is continually finding ways to stay afloat. One such example is the relationship it has forged with the growing local Brazilian community, which has made the hall of Lusitânia its home. “We have a lot of Brazilians who come to Lusitânia. Now we are trying to get involved with them and they do their parties here because they don’t have the space like we do. We are trying to work with other associations”, Paula Nascimento commented.

The pioneering Portuguese organization in the nation’s capital maintains a strong diplomatic relationship with the Government of Portugal. It has close ties to the Embassy of Portugal in Ottawa and is regularly invited to sit in advisory committees. Upon the visit of distinguished guests from Portugal, the official receptions are usually conducted at the hall of Lusitânia. The list of illustrious visitors includes former presidents, prime ministers, secretaries of state, and leaders of our autonomous regions. 

As the effects of the covid-19 pandemic wane, the current Board of Directors continues to find ways to improve the experience of the members who visit the organization’s headquarters. These new measures include the recent installation of wi-fi, further renovations to the hall and the reintroduction of groups and activities that were once popular here. The return of the Marchas and bingo nights are two such examples. The Board is also exploring the possibility of opening its doors to members every Friday evening.

Lusitânia is the fourth oldest Portuguese community organization in Canada. Over the years, it has contributed to the preservation and promotion of crucial pieces of our heritage in the region, but it has also accumulated physical wealth. Currently, its headquarters sits on a property that is worth around two million dollars. Above all, it has made a lasting impact on the local social landscape and has secured cultural and financial stability for years to come.