Join the City for a March Break filled with family friendly activities

Make it a staycation this year by spending March Break right here in St. Catharines. Enjoy swimming, skating, recreational and educational programming, and visit the museum.

Swimming

Leisure Swims will run daily at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre from March 13 to 17. All aquatics programming can be found via the City’s indoor swimming calendar at stcatharines.ca/2023MarchBreakSwims.  

Regular admission and supervision requirements will be in effect, and pre-registration is required. Reservations can be made up to two days in advance for St. Catharines residents. Find everything you need to know about booking a swim time, rates, and admission and supervision requirements at stcatharines.ca/SwimmingGuidelines

Pay-as-you-go swimming lessons are available from March 13 to April 2 for kids aged three to 14 years. Take advantage over the break with three levels to choose from: Just Getting Started, Learn to Swim or Skill Development. 30-minute lessons are $5.50 each. Find out more and register at stcatharines.ca/DropInLessons.

Skating

There's no shortage of opportunities to get out on the ice at City arenas over the break. Several public skates are scheduled at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre where participants will need to book in advance or drop in to Bill Burgoyne Arena where reservations are not required.

Check out the 2023 March Break skating schedule for full details. Regular rates and admission requirements apply. Visit stcatharines.ca/2023MarchBreakSkate for a full schedule and more information.

Family Fun at Port Weller Community Centre

Reserve a spot at Port Weller Community Centre between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on March 13 to explore the City’s Big Blue Blocks in a tactile learning and play environment intended for kids between the ages of three and 12 years old.

On March 15, kids aged three to 12 years old can also get in on the fun with Family Gym from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. where various activities using facility sports equipment will be running. Make a reservation before heading out.

Got smaller ones? Babies up to kids age 5 can run around at toddler town on March 17 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Plasma cars, various balls, climbing mats, hula hoops and other fun equipment will be available. Reservations are not required.

It’s $3.05 for kids to participate, but adult supervisors and kids three and under are free. Find out more about all three programs and register at stcatharines.ca/MarchBreakPWCC

St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre

Head on over to the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre to explore local history. The museum will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. over the break. All programming is drop-in and by donation.

Pick up a March Break activity book for some self-guided family programming any day next week. The book includes colouring, mazes, and other activities related to the stories shared in the museum’s galleries.

Drop-in children’s programs are happening each weekday. Join Maker Space, a series of activities focused on various inventions and innovations connected to St. Catharines history happening Monday through Friday at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Bright Ideas and I-Spy Tours are running each weekday at 11 a.m. where children will take a journey through the museum's exhibition galleries while learning about the many ways the trailblazing women of St. Catharines have influenced the community through their inventions and innovations. 

For more information visit stcatharines.ca/Museum.

City launches new resources at City facilities for deaf community

A pilot program was launched today at City recreational facilities to improve communication resources for the deaf community.

New signage depicting the American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet and common language and phrases is being installed at the entrances of select City recreational facilities and parks to improve communication between deaf and hearing residents in public spaces.

Avril Hertneky, an advocate for the deaf community, first approached City staff with her ideas and worked closely with City staff to find solutions.

Residents will see ASL signage installed at:

• Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
• Bill Burgoyne Arena
• St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatic Centre
• Port Weller Community Centre
• Russell Avenue Community Centres
• Dunlop Drive Older Adult Centre
• West St. Catharines Older Adult Centre

This summer, select parks will also have signage installed. Keep an eye on inclusive and accessible community developments in St. Catharines at stcatharines.ca/Accessibility.

Community suite applications opening

The City of St. Catharines is once again offering up the opportunity for charities and groups to use the community suite at the Meridian Centre to cheer on the Niagara River Lions.

Registered charities, local non-profits and sport organizations are invited to apply for the Meridian Centre Community Use Program. The program includes the use of the suite at the Meridian Centre for children and youth to attend a home game during the season.

Applications can be made online between March 13 and 31, 2023.

Visit stcatharines.ca/CommunityUseProgram for full details.

City staff will conduct a review of submissions. The successful applicants will be notified in writing once a selection is made and advised of their game date.

March 10, 2023

A message from Mayor Mat Siscoe

Hello St. Catharines,

On Monday we had our first council meeting of March, highlighted by a unanimous decision by council to approve the recommended zoning amendment for the lands at 1956 Third Street.

This approved amendment changes the 2.6-hectare property from business commercial employment with special provision to medium density mixed use, making way for Extendicare to build a four-storey, 256-bed long-term care facility on the property. This is a good news story for our city, as we will add 104 beds to our overall total, while also replacing an older facility on Pelham Road that currently has 152 beds.   

March 20 - Next Council Meeting 

• Recreation Facilities Allocation Policy  
• Establishment of Advisory Committees and Task Forces for the 2022-2026 Term of Council 

What’s Happening in the Community 

Next week is March Break for most of our students in the community and there are plenty of activities for families to enjoy being organized by the City.

Of course you can also enjoy special, and ongoing, activities at places like the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and St. Catharines Public Library as well.

If you're able to spend March Break as a family, just take the time to get out and explore all our community has to offer!

Keefer Road Fire Community Meeting 

On Wednesday night the City hosted a community meeting regarding the Jan. 12 fire at 20 Keefer Rd. City staff, were joined by representatives from regional and provincial agencies to provide an update to Port Weller East residents, and to try and answer as many questions as possible as it relates to the environmental and health concerns stemming from the fire. 

I would like to thank residents for their patience throughout this process and I hope that the assurances provided by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and Niagara Region Public Health help put your mind at ease, specifically as it relates to the drinking water and air quality. 

For updates as they become available, or to replay the livestream of the meeting, visit stcatharines.ca/KeeferRoadFire. 

State of the City 

I would also like to take a moment to thank everyone who attended my first State of the City address on Thursday morning. Special thanks to the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce for hosting the event and for the 400 members of the community who were in attendance and helped make this a great event. 

As I stated in my address, the next four years promise to be an exciting time for St. Catharines. After only four short months we’ve already begun to put in place the policies and plans we need to get to the bright future we all desire for our community. To read my full address please click here.  

Have a great weekend, 

Mayor Siscoe

City Council News

Third Street property rezoned to permit

long-term care home

On Monday night, City Council approved an application for a zoning by-law amendment which, in addition to some site-specific provisions, permits the use of long-term care home on lands at 1956 Third St.

The applicant is proposing a four-storey, 256-bed long-term care facility, but a complete functional servicing report and any off-site servicing works are required before a building permit can be issued.

City Council approves amendments to beach strategy for 2023

Following a public meeting, Council approved some additional minor changes to the 2023 beach strategy and parking in City lots at Sunset Beach and Lakeside Park.

In addition to the continuation of the $15 parking permit for residents, which was implemented in 2022, Council supported the following measures:

• Include Port Dalhousie business parking permits during the months of May through September at Lakeside Park, at a rate of $15 (including HST), with the ability to purchase up to two per business;
• Implementation of a beach event parking permit for City-permitted events at Sunset Beach and Lakeside Park at a rate of $20 a day or $100 per beach season (including HST) per parking space; and
• Removal of the three-hour maximum, and the addition of a daily maximum flat rate of $20 per day from May through September at Sunset Beach.

Council also approved the installation of a bike-repair station at Sunset Beach.

Staff have been asked to report back to Council ahead of the 2024 beach season with a review of the 2023 beach strategy and any recommended amendments.