Community Safety Fun Fest tomorrow
St. Catharines Fire Services, Thorold Fire and Emergency Services and the Real Canadian Superstore invite the community to spring into fire safety at the Community Safety Fun Fest Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Real Canadian Superstore (411 Louth St.) hosts this free event in its parking lot. Families can meet firefighters for a day of fun and learn about the important roles of community organizations in community safety, including the Canadian Red Cross, Alectra Utilities and Enbridge.
The day features a variety of activities everyone will enjoy, including a free barbecue, games, bouncers, live entertainment and rides on CN Rail's Obie the Safety Train.
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Bike to Work next week
Discover the many benefits of
active transportation by taking part in Bike to Work Week in St. Catharines June 5-9. The City encourages residents to try cycling as healthy way to get to and from work (and around town). Commuting by bicycle is a great way for residents to add exercise to their day.
Contest alert
Post a photo of you and your bicycle at work on Twitter using #BikeSTC during Bike to Work Week in St. Catharines for your chance to win a prize pack. One winner will be randomly selected from tweets with photos using the hashtag during Bike to Work Week.
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Arts Awards set for June 5
Local artists will put on a show of the amazing talent here in
St. Catharines at this year's Arts Awards ceremony.
Emerging and established artists will take the stage during the 2017
St. Catharines Arts Awards, presented by Meridian Credit Union, on Monday, June 5 at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Performers include:
- Dance students of Alice Burke (Making a Difference Award nominee);
- Cellist Gordon Cleland (Established Artist Award nominee);
- Comedian David Green (Emerging Artist Award nominee);
- Poet James Millhaven (Emerging Artist Award nominee);
- Theatre collective Twitches and Itches (Emerging Artist Award nominee).
The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.52 in advance and $17.52 at the door (plus applicable fees and taxes). Purchase tickets at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre box office,
online or by calling 1.855.515.0722.
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St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre closing for maintenance, all pools open July 1
The pools at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre will close for four weeks starting Tuesday, June 6 for regular maintenance work. Scheduled work includes draining and cleaning both pools, re-grouting the lane pool tank, changing light fixtures and a deep cleaning of the facility.
No leisure swims or aquatics programs are scheduled during the closure and the pools will be unavailable for rentals. The Guest Services counter and program rooms will remain open. Operating hours for the St. Catharines Public Library's Dr. Huq Family Library Branch are not affected by the maintenance work. The pools at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre reopen Saturday, July 1.
The City's outdoor pools also open for the season Saturday, July 1. City splash pads at Lester B. Pearson Park and Catherine Street Park opened for the season Friday, May 19. Splash pads are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
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Help shape the plan to connect to the
GO network
Niagara Region is holding a series of public meetings to provide information and consult with residents about future development of the area surrounding four proposed GO train stations.
In 2016, the province announced daily GO train service to three station locations: Grimsby, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.
The
public meeting for St. Catharines is set for
Monday, June 19 at Ridley College - 2nd Century Building (2 Ridley Rd.) from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
Online survey
Residents can also help shape future growth in your community by completing a
survey on future GO stations.
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Rain Barrel Sale and Free Tree Giveaway June 17
The City of St. Catharines' rain barrel sale is set for Saturday, June 17 and has an added bonus: free trees.
St. Catharines residents can buy rain barrels at a discounted rate of $40 per barrel, cash only. Four types of trees are available to residents for free to plant on their own property: Shademaster Honeylocust; Tulip Tree; Freeman Maple and Redmond Linden.
The Rain Barrel Sale and Free Tree Giveaway takes places at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre parking lot from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until supplies run out.
Proof of St. Catharines residency required. Limit of two rain barrels and one free tree per household. Residents do not need to buy a rain barrel to receive a free tree.
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Karen Hunt and Carol Reid, relatives of father and son Elzear and Leo Lynch who died on the same day in 1925 while building the Welland Canal, make a donation to the Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial to Mayor Walter Sendzik and campaign chair Greg Wight on behalf of the Lynch family.
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Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial Task Force launches community campaign with online donation platform
After fundraising more than $700,000 to date, the Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial Task Force is seeking support from the community to complete the project and install the memorial later this year.
Mayor Walter Sendzik and fundraising chair Greg Wight kicked off the community fundraising campaign with a donation from the Lynch family, descendants of Elzear and Leo Lynch, a father and son who died in a construction accident building the fourth Welland Canal in 1925.
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Flower pot program blooming for local businesses
Businesses can rent professionally designed and planted 27-inch pots filled with plants perfect to set out in front of stores, offices and other businesses. This year's pots feature flowers with red and white blooms in honour of Canada's 150th anniversary celebrations.
Flower pot rental fees are: $82 for one; $154 for two, $215 for three, or $266 for four and include delivery in late spring and pick up in early fall. Businesses are responsible for watering the pots throughout the season.
Contact
Ilyse Norton for more information or to participate in the flower pot program.
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Yoga at the Meridian Centre
Yogis of all skill levels, mark your calendars - in honour of Global Wellness Day, the Meridian Centre will be hosting Niagara's largest yoga event June 10.
Entry is by donation (suggested $5 to $10). All proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters St. Catharines, Thorold, and District. Tickets and waivers available at the Meridian Centre box office.
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HOT TICKET lineup announced
Become a member to access tickets today and enjoy special events, discounts, offers and more. Tickets go on sale to the public on Sept. 12.
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A report from Walter Sendzik
It's continuing to be a wet and soggy spring. The ground is still saturated, we have water logged parks, trails and creeks. Across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence system, cities are all dealing with record-high water levels this spring. It's fair to say we could experience damage and erosion near the waterfront when the water levels recede.
Many, many people have seen on TV and in person that Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie is completely flooded and we've had to make alternate arrangements for events and sports. The construction of the new pavilion, bandshell and washrooms continues despite the challenging conditions.
The piers remain closed as they are completely submerged and the carousel will not open until a later date. Popular volleyball courts at Lakeside Park have been temporarily relocated to Sunset Beach because of the flooding. I'll reiterate that this is temporary, until the water recedes and the beach returns to Lakeside.
We are all hoping that the weather will improve, the water will recede, and we can look forward to using Lakeside Park and the beach this summer. On behalf of the entire City team and Parks and Recreation staff, we ask you for your continued patience and cooperation as we work together with event partners and renters to accommodate everyone as best as possible.
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Progress with Port Dalhousie Piers
The future of the Port Dalhousie piers is taking shape.
Updated detailed design drawings and cost estimates for the east and west piers and inner harbour have been supplied to the City by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The drawings are based on the public's request to have the piers restored to allow pedestrian access and boat mooring. Residents can view the drawings
online.
To prepare for the future rehabilitation of the piers Fisheries and Oceans Canada will commence an environmental review of the proposed detailed design for the restoration of the piers and inner harbour structures.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has also informed the City of its interest to divest itself of the piers.
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Making the Garden City a bee city
City Council wants a
little more buzz for
St. Catharines.
City Council directed staff to seek a 'Bee
City' designation from the David Suzuki Foundation and to consider adding and maintaining pollinator gardens across the city in the budget.
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Medicinal cannabis report on the way
The City will look into how to regulate and license locations selling cannabis for medicinal purposes.
City Council directed staff to look at similar by-laws in Vancouver and Victoria and that the report
also include the possible sale of legal recreational use of cannabis in the future. City Council also directed staff to report back on licensing methadone clinics.
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Council approves Martindale Rd. development
City Council approved changes to the zoning by-law to allow a mixed-use development with 700 square metres of commercial space and 700 metres of residential space proposed for a T-shaped piece of land at 115 and 117 Martindale Rd. and 14 Grapeview.
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Other business
Wind-blown litter
City council wants staff to consider a program similar to the City's rain barrel sale for 36-inch high containers for recycling to limit wind-blown litter. Council also directed staff to investigate recycling bins with lids with Niagara Region.
City Council awards contracts
City Council awarded a $796,447 contract to upgrade the heating and cooling system at the Merritton Community Centre to TAT Construction Ltd.
City Council also awarded a $1.5 million contract to inspect and evaluate sewers and manholes to GM BluePlan Engineering Limited.
GM site plan
The City will complete a secondary plan, an employment lands review study and other associated studies for the former GM site on Ontario Street to apply for $100,000 in matching funds from the Niagara Region for a proposed land use study.
New deputy treasurer
City Council appointed Kristine Douglas as the City's deputy treasurer. Douglas is currently the City's director of Financial Management Services.
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More council online
Council Highlights offers informal summaries of some of the recent decisions and business discussed during
St. Catharines City Council meetings. The Office of the City Clerk provides a full recap of decisions and motions in its official minutes, available on the Friday after every
St. Catharines City Council meeting.
City Council meeting agendas and minutes are available online.
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June 7
Special Meeting of Council to conduct a City Council / staff workshop to consider the Strategic Plan.
3:30 p.m., St. Catharines Public Library, Central Branch (54 Church St.)
City Council
6:30 p.m., City Hall
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St. Paul Street between Carlisle and James streets and part of Carlisle from St. Paul to Race St. will be closed during
road work from now until the fall.
Businesses will be open and pedestrian access will be maintained.
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Click here to learn about construction projects happening in the City.
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