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Rain Barrel Sale and Free Tree Giveaway June 2
The Rain Barrel Sale and Free Tree Giveaway is on Saturday (June 2): residents can help themselves to a free tree and buy a rain barrel at a discount of $40 (cash only) at the popular annual event from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until supplies run out) at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre.
Trees will be available on a first come, first served basis in three-gallon pots and are about three-feet tall. They should easily fit inside a standard car. Four varieties will be available: Sweetgum, Bitternut Hickory; Tulip Tree and Eastern Redbud (small).
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Fun-filled day planned for June 2
Live entertainment, local heroes, and a barbeque lunch are included as part of the free Community Safety Fun Fest activities on Saturday (June 2).
Come out to the Real Canadian Superstore parking lot, located at 411 Louth St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and join the St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Management Services, Thorold Fire and Emergency Services and other community agencies for a fun-filled day promoting community safety and engagement.
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Arts Awards entertainment announced
Local artists will showcase the amazing talent here in St. Catharines at this year's Arts Awards and stand-up comedian David Green, will host the ceremony.
"This year's show shines a spotlight on the breadth and diversity of our home-grown talent," says Kathleen Powell, Supervisor Historical Services and Acting Supervisor Cultural Services.
Twenty-two artists are up for awards in five categories: Emerging Artist, Established Artist, Arts in Education, Making a Difference and Patron of the Arts. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $13.20 in advance and $18.30 at the door (plus applicable fees and HST). Purchase tickets at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre box office or online.
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Cheer on Team Canada
The FIBA U18 Americas basketball championship is coming to
St. Catharines June 10-16.
Cheer on Team Canada at the Meridian Centre as the best young basketball players in the country go for gold on home soil. Fans can get riled up for the tournament at a Team Canada pep rally, a downtown street festival and
other activities leading up to the tournament.
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City splash pads open
The City's inclusive splash pads at Lester B. Pearson Park, Catherine Street Park and West Park are open for the season. Splash pads are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
The new splash pad at Bogart Street Park is currently under construction and will open later this summer.
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City celebrates new Wise Guys Park
There's a new neighbourhood park in south St. Catharines thanks to a partnership between the City and the Wise Guys Charity Fund.
Doug Smith, chair of the Wise Guys Charity Fund, Mayor Walter Sendzik, members of City Council and the Wise Guys kicked off June is Recreation and Parks Month by celebrating the new Wise Guys Park. The Wise Guys Charity Fund contributed $25,000 towards the new park, located where
Wilfrid Laurier Crescent meets
Welland Canals Parkway.
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City pools gearing up for summer
The pools at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre will close for four weeks starting Tuesday, June 2 for annual scheduled maintenance, including draining and cleaning both pools, re-grouting 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 will not be affected by the maintenance work.
The pools at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre reopen Saturday, June 30. The City's outdoor pools (Lincoln Park Pool, Lion Dunc Schooley Pool and Port Dalhousie Pool) also open for the season June 30.
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Park and pay with your phone downtown
Downtown visitors can dig into their pockets for smartphones instead of loose change to pay for parking at
some City's metered parking spots and lots. Download the Honk app from your device's app store and use it to pay for parking in select lots and spots downtown - look for the 'Park & Pay' signs in designated areas.
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Ontario Street Parking Garage elevator to close temporarily
The next phase of renovations at the Ontario Street Parking Garage will temporarily disrupt the accessible entrance to the building but the City will maintain the same level of accessible parking serving that section of Downtown St. Catharines.
The City has made available two accessible on-street parking spots on William Street as well as four additional accessible parking spaces at the St. Paul Street / Westchester Parking Lot during this phase of renovations.
As of June 1, the elevator and lobby will be temporarily closed while crews complete upgrades and renovations. The elevator upgrades include new mechanical parts, buttons, lighting and paneling. The work, including the replacement of the lobby and stairway, is expected to be complete by late September.
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Next Books and Brews June 19
If you enjoy a good read and a good brew the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre has a perfect pairing for you.
Books and Brews is a book club with a St. Catharines Museum twist: participants meet to chat about books while sipping on brews, such as local craft beer, coffee or tea, in a unique after-hours museum experience. Books and Brews features Canadian literature with a historic connection.
The Books and Brews crew meets next on Tuesday, June 19 to discuss The Break by Katherena Vermette.
Books and Brews is for those 19 years old and older. Space is limited. Registration is required. Email museum@stcatharines.ca to register. Admission is $35 and includes a beer tasting seminar by the Lock Street Brewing Company and a copy of the book, or $15 without the book.
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A report from Mayor Walter Sendzik
It looks like summertime has arrived early and there is so much to do in our city.
Parks and splash pads are open, including the new splashpad at West Park. Construction on the Bogart Street Park splash pad is coming along and it will be ready for the summer. Across the city there are new playgrounds and basketball courts in neighbourhood parks ready to be enjoyed.
City Council continues its work on strategic priorities, the budget, and planning proposals. Last week, Niagara Region approved a three-year extension of Niagara Regional transit - keeping inter-municipal routes running while we continue to work on a new integrated transit service for Niagara. This is a great story about cooperation between our cities: St. Catharines, Welland and Niagara Falls working together with Niagara Region.
Already we are working on integrating routes, trip planning tools with a transit app, and customer service standards. All of these improvements are focused on the rider. The long-term vision is for an integrated transit system that serves the whole Niagara region. While there's more work to do we are making progress on this critical priority.
Coming up next we have the St. Catharines Arts Awards on June 4, the Port Dalhousie Supper Market opens on June 5, and the FIBA U18 Americs Championships is coming to the Meridian Centre June 10-16. I hope to see you there!
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May 28 City Council Meeting
City continues to address opioid crisis
City Council will work with the Overdose Prevention and Education Network of Niagara to add a downtown St. Catharines working group to look at issues in downtown St. Catharines related to the opioid crisis, mental health and addictions. City Council also requested that working group meetings be coordinated through the Mayor's office with the St. Patrick's and Merritton ward councillors and that the group provide it with regular updates.
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City Council waives fees for new Ridley College road
City Council approved a request from Ridley College to waive about $20,000 in planning application fees associated with a plan of subdivision application to create a new public road from Ridley Road to the new GO Station site.
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St. Catharines' Fire core services updated
City Council updated a City by-law establishing and regulating the St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services so it is consistent with provincial legislation. The revised by-law also updates St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services' core services and service levels.
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Other business
Garden City Golf Course
City Council approved exploring a third party operator or partnership to run the Garden City Golf Course for the 2019 season and beyond through a Request for Expression of Interest.
Accessibility funding
The City has applied for funding to improve accessibility at the Old Courthouse and Robertson Hall from the Employment and Social Development Canada through its Enabling Accessibility Fund.
2019 rates and fees
City Council will consider the City's 2019 rates and fees after a public meeting on June 25.
Gale Crescent
City Council received an information report regarding a planning application to allow a proposed six-storey mixed-use building, including 35 apartments, at 50 Gale Cres. and will consider a recommendation report at its June 25 meeting.
Martindale Road
City Council received an information report regarding a planning application for a 10-unit townhouse development at 164-164A Martindale Rd. and will consider a recommendation report at its meeting on June 11.
585 Welland Ave.
City Council received an information report regarding a planning application for a 36-unit townhouse development at 585 Welland Ave. and will consider a recommendation report at a future meeting.
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| May 23 Special Council Meeting
Rodman Hall designated as heritage
City Council designated the interior and exterior of Rodman Hall as well as the grounds at 109 St. Paul Cr. to be of cultural heritage value or interest under the Ontario Heritage Act.
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Moffatt Street residential development moving forward
City Council approved an application for draft plan of subdivision for lands at 41 Moffatt St. to allow the development of a 38-unit housing development. Council also referred the construction of a second access road between Oakdale Avenue and Moffatt Street or an update to the emergency access to the City's Budget Standing Committee to consider as a 2019 project.
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Other business
Lakeport Road
City Council received an information report regarding the residential/commercial development planned for the Lincoln Fabrics property in Port Dalhousie and will consider a recommendation report at a future meeting.
Grapeview Drive
City Council received an information report regarding an application for a 16-unit residential development at 24 Grapeview Dr. and will consider a recommendation report at its meeting on June 25.
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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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Click here to learn about construction projects happening in the City.
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