Council directs staff to request all local schools partner with City on children's swim lessons
Council endorsed a “Swim-to-Survive” Training resolution from the City of Dryden.
Dryden’s Resolution urged the Ontario government, through the Ministry of Education, to incorporate mandatory water safety and Swim-to-Survive Training into the elementary school curriculum for all Ontario students.
Council directed staff to approach all local school boards and principals of each school to request all schools to participate in a partnership with the City for children’s swim lessons.
Dryden’s Resolution states drowning is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths among children in Ontario and research by the Lifesaving Society of Ontario shows that most children who drown never intended to be in the water.
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Council approves Zoning By-law amendment for nine-storey, mixed-use building
Council approved a Zoning By-law Amendment to rezone the lands at 148 Niagara St. from Medium Density Mixed Use to High Density Mixed Use with Special Provision to facilitate the construction of a nine-storey, mixed-use building with 197 residential apartment units, 105 square metres of ground-floor commercial space fronting Niagara Street, and 201 parking spaces.
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Council approves City Volunteer Policy, Facility and Park Stewardship Policy, Program
Council adopted a new Volunteer Policy for external volunteers, as well as a Facility and Park Stewardship Policy and Program.
Staff engaged several volunteer worker groups and developed policies that will provide a co-ordinated approach to volunteer management.
Costs related to the Volunteer Policy and Facility and Park Stewardship Policy and Program will be included in the Multi-Year Operating budget.
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Council approves in principle Canada Summer Games Park Volunteer Maintenance Pilot Program
Council approved in-principle a Canada Summer Games Mountain Park Volunteer Maintenance Pilot Program.
The volunteer model will allow the City to retain and maintain the course, as well as 14 km of new secondary trails that branch off the arterial trails. The volunteer program would be evaluated after the first year. The City will also enhance trail signage throughout the area of the course and connections.
The existing budget will be used to fund the program for 2026. A business case will be prepared for 2027, and additional required funding referred to the 2027 budget process.
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Kiwanis Field to get new scoreboard
Council approved up to $350,000 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to supply and install a new scoreboard at Kiwanis Field. Earlier this year the scoreboard, installed in 2011 when the facility opened, experienced failure and was deemed beyond repair.
The proposed replacement scoreboard would include a video screen to help expand revenue generation, whether through advertising or through other activities outside of sports, such as movie nights.
| | | Spotlight on St. Catharines | |
Pumpkinville - a City fall tradition - is back
Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Happy Rolph's Animal Farm, 650 Read Rd.
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Pumpkinville will celebrate 37 years at Happy Rolph's Animal Farm this October with another great lineup of activities and events for the community.
The family-friendly tradition will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s event will feature many activities including: a photobooth, pumpkin painting, visits from a special princess and hero, and a scavenger hunt.
Attendees will once again be able to collect a free pumpkin. Supplies are limited so one pumpkin per family will be available on a first come first serve basis.
Hot chocolate and Timbits will be offered by Tim Hortons. A selection of food will also be available for purchase from local restaurants such as Johnny Rocco’s Italian Grill and Country Boys Mobile Food Services.
In addition to a variety of family friendly activities and delicious dishes, attendees will have a chance to meet the Niagara IceDogs mascot, Bones. As part of the City’s Fire Prevention Month, St. Catharines Fire Services will also be participating in this year’s event and people are encouraged to learn more about fire prevention and fire safety. For young book lovers and creatives, the St. Catharines Public Library will also be present.
A free park-and-ride shuttle bus at Grantham Lions Club at 732 Niagara St. will run from 9:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Guests are encouraged to make use of the service as parking onsite is limited.
Pumpkinville also offers the last chance to visit the farm animals of Happy Rolph’s for the year before the animals return to their winter homes.
| | Get Engaged with Your City | | | | |
Check out the active projects seeking citizen feedback in St. Catharines and stay tuned to EngageSTC.ca for more projects looking for resident input in the coming weeks.
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There's a development proposed for 142 Queenston St. and we want to hear what you think about it.
Join us at an open house on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Connaught Public School gymnasium to learn about the proposal and provide feedback.
View the project at engagestc.ca/142Queenston
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The City of St. Catharines is updating its Official Plan (known as the “Garden City Plan”).
The Garden City Plan provides a long-term vision for land use and development in the City. It guides where we live, work and play.
View the project and ask questions at engagestc.ca/UpdatetheGCP
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Trillium Awards honour gardening excellence
The City of St. Catharines is recognizing a citizen-led urban tree advocacy group with its Green Leader Award for projects and efforts that are, literally, greening the Garden City.
The City honoured ArborSTC, a volunteer organization championing protection and expansion of the urban tree canopy in St. Catharines, as part of its annual Trillium Awards celebration Monday, Oct. 6. Over the past couple of years, ArborSTC supported the City’s tree planting efforts by providing information and resources to residents to help get more trees planted on boulevards and in parks across St. Catharines.
The Green Leader Award is presented to an individual or community organization for making a significant contribution to greening the community and inspiring others. ArborSTC has also led neighbourhood-specific private property tree planting campaigns, going door-to-door to offer native species trees and planting services at no cost.
The City also honoured 14 properties, selected from 90 community nominations, with Trillium Awards, recognizing outstanding efforts from residents to help beautify their neighbourhoods through creative and environmentally sensitive front-yard landscaping.
The Mayor’s Award, recognizing the best overall front-yard garden of all the nominations, was presented to 667 Vine St.
The Community Choice Award, selected by residents through an online vote, was presented to 81 Glenridge Ave.
Civic Beautification Awards were presented to the following properties:
- Merritton Ward – 24 Almond St. and 23 Cameron Ave.
- St. Andrew’s Ward – 17 David St. and 1234 Pelham Rd.
- St. George’s Ward – 10 Karen Ave. and 39 Linden St.
- St. Patrick’s Ward – 48 Albert St. and 7 Woodruff Ave.
- Grantham Ward – 22 Thompson Ave. and 17 Black Friar Rd.
- Port Dalhousie – 8 John St. and 16 Oarsman Cres.
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Fire Prevention Week stresses lithium-ion battery safety
St. Catharines Fire Services is reminding residents of the importance of fire safety when using lithium-ion batteries found in smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, headphones, toys and more.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign theme ─ “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” ─ aims to educate everyone on the critical importance of safely buying, charging, and recycling lithium-ion batteries.
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City recognized as finalist for asset management award
The City of St. Catharines has been recognized on the international stage, earning a finalist spot for the Institute of Asset Management’s (IAM) Corporate / Organization Transformation Award.
The IAM Awards celebrate best practices in asset management worldwide, drawing entries from leading organizations across multiple sectors. St. Catharines was selected alongside municipalities and organizations from across North America.
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2025-26 Community Outdoor Ice Rink applications open
The City is now accepting applications from local volunteer groups interested in helping bring outdoor skating to neighbourhoods again this winter.
Entering its seventh season, the Community Outdoor Ice Rink Program enables volunteer groups to build, operate, and maintain outdoor ice rinks in City-owned parks. Previous volunteer-run rinks have been located at Bogart Street Park, St. Patrick’s Park, Partridge Park, Walker’s Creek Park, and Port Dalhousie Lions Park.
Volunteer groups may apply to use any City park, provided it offers a relatively flat surface, access for emergency vehicles, and sufficient parking. Groups must be prepared to build, operate, and maintain the rink throughout the season.
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Residents advised to pay bills online or in-person during Canada Post strike
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) launched a national strike on Sept. 25.
Property owners and residents are still responsible for on-time property tax, water, and parking fine payments, by their due date. Regular penalties will apply for late payments.
The City of St. Catharines offers residents and property owners the option to view their property tax and water bill information online with paperless e-bills.
Visit stcatharines.ca/E-bills for more information or to register.
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Toonie Swim
Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m.
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
425 Carlton St.
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The City will be hosting the 2025 Fall Tree Giveaway on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
Registration will open to St. Catharines' residents on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, at 8 a.m. and will close Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at 4 p.m. or when quantities sell out.
The fall event will take place at Lancaster Park, 31 Wood St., from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Oct. 25.
Online pre-order and curbside pickup only. Click on the "Learn More" button to refer to the timeslots for each tree species pickup time.
Please note there is a limit of one tree per household. Households trying to obtain more than one tree may have all of their orders cancelled. Click here to register for your free tree.
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Layers Juried Art Exhibition
Third Floor Gallery Space at City Hall
On display now through March 13, 2026
The City’s 2025 juried art exhibition, “Layers” – on view now through March 2026 – asked artists to explore how they use layers, by adding materials and by building ideas, memories, and experiences.
The selected artists used this process to reveal hidden stories, histories, and changes, inviting viewers to discover what lies beneath the surface, working in a variety of artistic mediums, such as metal, textiles, and found objects.
Featured artists include Emmauel Akolo, Tim Alblas, Kim Collins, Gillian Dickson, Samantha Fickel, Liz Hayden, Hannah Holmes, Rajshree Jena, Carla Mackie, Arnold McBay, Mori McCrae, Charlotte Moffat, Smiljana Petranovic, Anja Steensma, John Steensma, Donna Szoke, and Joshua Turgeon-Perez. See three of the artists posing with their work below.
| Rajshree Jena poses with her "Layers" submission, "Forest Whispers at Dusk." | Tim Alblas poses with his "Layers" submission, Barn #5. | Carla Mackie poses with her "Layers" submission, "The Lonely Petunia," made of clay and thermal plastic. |
| Fast. Secure. Environmentally friendly. Paperless e-Bills are a simple secure and convenient way to manage your property tax and water bills. | | |
This year, we’re supporting our local Indigenous Friendship Centres by collecting non-perishable food items for the Niagara Regional Native Centre and the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre.
Residents wishing to lend their support can bring donations to City Hall (Citizens First, Second Floor, and Mayor’s Office, Third Floor), the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre, and all four St. Catharines Public Library locations. Donations are being accepting through this Thursday, Oct. 9.
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Bill Burgoyne Arena is switching to card / mobile payments.
Starting Oct 14, the Bill Burgoyne Arena will only accept card or mobile payments to enhance customer service and safety for everyone. Accepted methods include:
- Debit
- Credit
- Mobile Payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.)
Please plan ahead and bring your card or phone/mobile device for all admissions.
Thank you for helping us upgrade for the future!
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Secret Path - Live in Concert
Every year, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre marks a collective reconciliation journey with a concert to promote awareness, education and thoughtful action during Secret Path Week.
This year, PAC's concert, Secret Path - Live in Concert, features a live performance of Gord Downie's fifth solo album, "Secret Path," alongside the animated film. The 2016 album will be performed in entirety and led by St. Catharines’ own Joe Lapinski while the film plays behind the band.
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Ron Sexmith Band performs
See the Ron Sexmith Band perform at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Ron Sexsmith is a three-time, Juno award winning singer songwriter from St Catharines. Sexsmith’s songwriting style evolved into a unique and timeless blend of classic pop, contemporary folk, and roots-rock idioms.
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Halloween Candy Trail
Saturday, Oct. 25, noon to 3 p.m.
Head downtown on Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to 3 p.m. for the Downtown St. Catharines Halloween Candy Trail, presented by Coral Kids Dentistry and Braces.
Families can enjoy free trick-or-treating at more than 40 local businesses along with two haunted houses, craft stations, visits from The Sanderson Sisters and Pikachu, photo stations, the St. Catharines Farmers Market, a magic show, prize raffles, and more. Admission is free, but we encourage you to register.
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