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Enjoy free Canada Day fun
Celebrate Canada Day with live entertainment, family activities and cupcakes Monday, July 1 at Rennie Park.
Festivities begin with Melissa Marie Shriner singing of O Canada. Tim Holland, the Puppet Tamer, performs from 12:15-12:45 p.m. with the Practically Hip following from 1-2:30 p.m. Crash Rhythm, with interactive bucket drumming, takes the stage from 2:45-3:15 p.m.
Canada Day in Rennie Park also includes bouncers, crafts and games, pony rides, buskers and more.
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Free parking in Port Dalhousie, shuttle service to Rennie Park for Canada Day activities
A free shuttle bus will take
Canada Day revellers to and from Rennie Park Monday, July 1 between 11:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. from the following locations:
Port Dalhousie Lions Club
-
201 Main St.
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Meet in the parking lot
Port Dalhousie Pier Marina
- 80 Lighthouse Rd.
- Meet in the parking lot
Free parking is also available at City parking lots and on-street meters within walking distance of Rennie Park. Revellers can also park at
Ontario Jaycee Gardens Park, 543 Ontario St., and access Rennie Park via the pedestrian bridge.
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Canada Day fun at the Museum
The entertainment lineup includes: Ruta Sur at 11 a.m., Filipino Canadian Association of Niagara at 12:30 p.m. and Niagara Multi-Folk Arts Song and Dance Ensemble at 2 p.m. Visitors can also explore the museum from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., allowing visitors to explore the
museum galleries. Admission is by donation.
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Some City facilities closed July 1
The following City facilities will be closed Monday, July 1 to observe the Canada Day holiday:
- City Hall
- Enterprise Centre
- Parks, Recreation and Culture Services administration offices
- Meridian Centre
- Russell Avenue and Port Weller community centres
- Dunlop Drive, Port Dalhousie and West St. Catharines older adult centres
- Victoria Lawn Cemetery administration office (visitation is always available from dawn to dusk)
- Bill Burgoyne Arena
- Garden City Arena Complex
- Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
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Make a splash at City pools this summer.
The City's
outdoor pools at the Port Dalhousie Pool, Lion Dunc Schooley Pool and the Lincoln Pool also open for the season at 1 p.m. today (June 28)
In celebration of Canada Day, residents can enjoy
free leisure swims at any City pool on Monday, July 1.
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City splash pads open for the season
The City's inclusive splash pads at Bogart Street Park, 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.
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Carousel remains closed, City parks open
The Lakeside Park Carousel is temporarily closed due to high water levels in Lake Ontario.
From Happy Rolph's Animal Farm to Sunset Beach, there are many other destinations you can enjoy across the City. Use our
online parks module to find the park that has everything you are looking for.
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Celebrate a fireworks safe Canada Day
Celebrating the Canada Day holiday with fireworks this weekend? Be sure to be safe, use common sense and follow the City's rules for using fireworks.
Residents are only permitted to set off fireworks on Canada Day (Monday, July 1), the day before (Sunday, June 30) and the day after (Tuesday, July 2).
Set fireworks off safely with the following tips:
- Appoint a responsible person to be in charge. Only adults who are aware of the hazards and essential safety precautions should handle and discharge fireworks.
- Carefully read and follow the directions on fireworks packaging.
- Always keep a hose connected to a water source or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks.
- Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.
- Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.
- Light only one firework at a time and only when they are on the ground.
- Do not discharge fireworks if wind conditions create a safety hazard.
- Sparklers should be used under the supervision of an adult. It is strongly recommended to keep sparklers away from young children. Sparklers burn extremely hot and can result in severe burns and ignite combustibles like clothing. Sparklers remain hot after burning out and should be immediately soaked in a pail water to avoid injury.
- If someone gets burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and seek medical attention, if necessary.
Remember to keep yourself and your families protected year-round with working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
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St. Catharines Trillium Awards due today
Is there a garden in your neighbourhood that's caught your eye? Get your nomination in for the 2019 City of St. Catharines Trillium Awards - nominations close today (June 28).
The Trillium Awards honour residents and organizations committed to making St. Catharines' neighbourhoods more beautiful and friendly places with creative landscaping. All properties in St. Catharines, including residential, commercial and industrial properties, are eligible to participate.
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Help us enhance Centennial Gardens
Do you have a project that will enhance Centennial Gardens? It may be eligible for funding from the City of St. Catharines.
The City continues it's work revitalizing Centennial Gardens and invites service clubs, community groups, park users and the business community with new projects that will enhance the park to submit applications for matching grants through the City's Centennial Gardens Partnership Fund.
Intended to inspire the community to help revitalize Centennial Gardens, the City is offering a total of $15,000 in funding through matching grants to support eligible projects.
Applications are due by Friday, Aug. 2. The City will announce grant recipients in early September.
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High school students, youth leaders needed for Youth Forum Task Force
We are recruiting members for three new advisory committees focused on making the city a more inclusive and equitable place for everyone to live.
Applications are due by Friday, July 5, by 4 p.m. The three new committees will report to council through the City's Social Sustainability Committee.
Youth Forum Task Force Applications due today
Are you a St. Catharines high school student looking for new ways to give back to the community. Are you looking to enhance your leadership skills?
We are recruiting members for our new Youth Forum Task Force, responsible for planning and implementating an annual youth forum.
Applications can be submitted online
and are due today (Friday, June 28) by 4 p.m.
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'Un-bear-able' fun set for Morningstar Mill July 7
Calling all teddy bear owners - you and your cuddly friend are invited to the Morningstar Mill for a Teddy Bear Picnic.
Head to the mill Sunday, July 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a day of fun, history and furry friends. The picnic is perfect for children ages three to 10 and will include crafts, games, lunch and more. Visitors will also enjoy an inside look of the Morningstar Mill and homestead. There will even be a nurse's station for minor repairs to teddy bears, dolls and other stuffies.
Admission is $10 per child and advance registration is required. Call the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre at 905.984.8880 to register. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Do you have your HOT TICKETS yet?
Become a FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre HOT TICKET member and get advance and discounted tickets for more than 100 world-class performances in downtown St. Catharines!
HOT TICKET members get early access to tickets, can save up to 20 per cent on tickets as well as invitations to exclusive events, free passes to The FIlm House, discounts at partnering establishments and more.
The fifth HOT TICKET season features performances from:
Jeremy Dutcher, 54*40, Sloan, Hawksley Workman + Sarah Slean, Kim Mitchell
,
Tanya Tagaq, Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal's Leonard Cohen - Dance Me, Bruce Cockburn, Seasame Street LIVE! and so much more.
Remaining tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 10 a.m.
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A report from Mayor Walter Sendzik
Last week, as we recognized National Indigenous People's Day, Acting Fire Chief Jeff McCormick and I were in Northern Ontario visiting Lac Seul First Nation to commemorate the opening of the Lac Seul Fire Department with a pumper truck
donated by the City of St. Catharines.
It was a special moment for the acting chief and I to attend the dedication ceremony and meet new friends. We look forward to building on this relationship. Also, thank you to Mayor Doug Lawrance in Sioux Lookout for the wonderful hospitality and the invitation to attend the Truth and Reconciliation Committee meeting.
The City is recruiting for three new committees:
Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Anti-Racism Advisory Committee and LGBTQ2+ Advisory Committee. The diversity of our community is one of our greatest strengths and we are hopeful to see more and new volunteers on these new committees. Applications are open. The deadline is Friday, July 5 at 4 p.m.
Happy Canada Day - join the fun at Rennie Park for a day full of entertainment and activities for the whole family. You can also visit the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre for cultural performances and activities throughout the day. There is free swimming at our city's pools. Don't forget, the grand finale of fireworks from Henley Island is at 10 p.m. Thank you to the Port Dalhousie Lions for continuing to host the fireworks!
Happy Canada Day and enjoy the summer in #OurHomeSTC!
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Council approves 2020 City user fees
City Council approved the 2020 schedule of rates and fees, a listing of nearly 1,100 fees the City charges users directly for certain programs and services.
A full list of the City's 2020 schedule of rates and fees is available for review.
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Arena strategy
gets the go-ahead
City Council has an approved game plan on how to best invest public resources into the City's ice pad inventory.
Council approved a
new arena strategy developed through community feedback, combined with a study
of the arenas and their usage and a review
of comparable municipalities and industry standards.
Recommendations include pursuing the Canada Summer Games Sport and Ability Centre partnership, with the decommissioning of the Garden City Complex for ice-pad usage.
The Garden City Complex property would be repurposed or declared surplus when there is a replacement facility at either the Canada Summer Games facility or one new ice pad built should the City not partner for the Sport and Ability Centre, a facility based around a twin-pad arena with a spectator rink.
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Canada Summer Games funding approved
City Council approved $8.72 million in additional funding for the City's portion of the Canada Summer Games Sport and Ability Centre and a new Rowing Centre on Henley Island.
The additional funding will come from the following sources:
- $4,185,000 in one-time
top-up of federal gas tax funding
- $3,912,000 from unallocated extra hydro dividends from
St. Catharines Hydro
- $523,000 from a 0.5 per cent increase to the Infrastructure Levy in 2020
- $100,000 from the unallocated 2018 Year-end surplus
City Council also allocated the remaining 2018 year-end to the following reserves:
- $200,000 to the Winter Control Reserve
- $143,000 to the Tax Stabilization Reserve
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Council grants noise by-law exemption
City Council approved a request from the Canada Summer Games Host Society for an exemption from the City's noise by-law to allow fireworks and a live band at an event at the Henley Rowing Course and Grandstand on Monday, Aug. 5.
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Innovation centre locating in Old Courthouse
City Council authorizes the City to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Innovate Niagara to establish a regional innovation centre campus at the former Lincoln County Courthouse located at 101 King St.
Council also directed that any budget request related to the agreement be referred to the Budget Standing Committee for consideration.
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Other business
Circuses
City Council adopted a policy prohibiting
circus performances or circuses in which an animal is required to perform for the amusement or entertainment of an audience in any municipally-owned facility or on municipally-owned property.
Council also directed that the new policy be included in any lease agreements of all municipally-operated facilities.
Waste management
at City facilities
City Council directed staff to prepare a report and plan for a corporate waste reduction strategy.
The report
will go to the Environmental Sustainability Committee and is to include best practices for municipal waste diversion at City facilities, parks, beaches, public spaces as well as events at City facilities. The report is to also include an implementation strategy and budget for 2020.
Road construction
City Council requested the Province and Region coordinate and review all road work within the city limits with the City so projects can be scheduled in a way that allows better traffic flow during the construction season.
Council also directed the City to provide all affected business owners with due notice when major repairs are undertaken and that staff work to improve communication methods with residents regarding these issues, including, but not limited to start dates, end dates, and mitigating factors that will affect construction progress.
Harbour lands
City Council declared a portion of City-owned lands at 45 Lakeport Rd. and lands it will acquire at 3 Lakeport Rd. and 57A Lakeport Rd. surplus in order to sell to abutting property owner, Royal Port Inc., to provide access to its proposed development and to accommodate a below-grade parking structure.
The above-grade areas of the disposed-of lands will continue to provide public access to Lockhart Point, including new parking areas and a redeveloped open space.
City cultural funding
City Council approved cultural investment through the Culture Days Activity stream of the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program in the amount of $13,987 to
24 recipients. Activities will take place during Culture Days from Sept. 27-29.
Sidewalks
City Council denied a request to delete sidewalks along Olde School Court.
Parking permits
City Council directed the City to include a 24-hour monthly parking permit for select City lots downtown.
The new permit will cost $110 (including HST) per month. Council directed that $17 per month from each 24-hour permit sold go towards funding the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program.
South Drive park
City Council approved a recommendation from the 101 South Drive Property Task Force relating to establishing a City park at 99 South Dr.
that's conditional upon the following:
- the receipt of all pledged amounts or signed agreements and the establishment of the new Parks Legacy Fund
- the creation of a Parks Legacy Fund above and beyond the City's annual capital budget that can be used to upgrade, or replace play assets when third-party funding or funding raised by the community is identified in Parks Renewal Plan Secondary Criteria
- approval of the Parks Legacy Fund after review by the Budget Committee and
- the project be reviewed by the Recreation Master Plan
Audit and Accountability Fund application
The City will submit of an Expression of Interest to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding the Audit and Accountability Fund by June 30 in order to be eligible for up to $250,000 towards a review of municipal expenditures to find efficiencies.
Council approved of the City communicating its Expression of Interest and the proposed scope of work to the Minister and Deputy Minister of the Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Because the review must be conducted by an independent third-party, Council also approved the issuance of a Request for Proposal to engage a third party consultant, the award of which will be conditional upon the City being successful in obtaining funding to assist with the proposed scope of work.
Budget Standing Committee
City Council approved the Budget Standing Committee's recommendation directing the City to engage with stakeholders and the local hotel industry regarding the potential
of a Municipal Accommodation Tax.
Council also directed the City to look at zoning implications for Airbnbs and to report back with further details relating to potentially implementing a Municipal Accommodation Tax.
Rodman Hall
City Council approved terms of reference for the Rodman Hall Task Force.
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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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City Council Meeting
6:30 p.m., City hall
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Click here to learn about construction projects happening in the City.
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