Spotlight on St. Catharines |
Join us for free, family-friendly STC 150 celebration on May 2 at Montebello Park
Friday, May 1, marks a major milestone for the City of St. Catharines. While our community’s story extends far beyond 150 years, rooted in the Indigenous peoples who first called this land home, we are excited to mark the 150th anniversary of our official incorporation as a City.
To help us celebrate, we’re inviting the community to a free, family-friendly community event on Saturday, May 2. Taking place at Montebello Park from noon to 4 p.m., the celebration marks the City’s incorporation anniversary with an afternoon of entertainment, activities, and community connection. Official greetings, including a welcome from Mayor Mat Siscoe, will begin at 1 p.m.
Designed for all ages, the event features a full lineup of free activities and experiences. This will include:
- Live entertainment from The Motels and the Lincoln and Welland Regiment Band
- Inflatable games
- An STC150 selfie station
- Touch-a-truck displays featuring Municipal Works and Fire Services vehicles
- Giveaways, including special STC150 commemorative stickers
- Free hotdogs and cupcakes
- A water fill station (bring your own water bottle)
- City departments will be promoting activities and programs, including chances to win prizes, such as a rain barrel
- Community partners will be on site with additional activities and appearances by local sports mascots such as Bones and Dunkin adding to the festive atmosphere.
(Note: Free items / giveaways are while supplies last)
While the event, including activities and food, is free to attend, the City will be selling some STC150 merchandise. Limited sizing and stock of 150 shirts (polo, T-shirts, hoodies), hats and flags will be among the items available for purchase.
Those visiting the St. Catharines Farmers' Market earlier in the day can start the celebration early before heading to Montebello Park, with the market hosting a special interactive table recognizing the City’s 150th.
Save the date: July 1 celebrations
The anniversary celebrations will continue this summer with a combined Canada Day and STC150 event on July 1 at Montebello Park. The day will feature family programming in the afternoon followed by an evening concert headlined by The Trews.
A fireworks and drone show is also planned for Rennie Park in Port Dalhousie, with more details to come.
Sharing stories and reflecting on “Our Common Ground”
As part of the anniversary, the City is also inviting residents to take part online through its EngageSTC platform, where community members can share memories, photos and stories that reflect life in St. Catharines.
The theme for the 150th anniversary, “Our Common Ground,” recognizes that the city’s story extends well beyond its 1876 incorporation. It honours the land that has supported generations, including the first Indigenous peoples, and reflects the shared history and experiences that continue to shape the community today.
Inspired by this idea, the STC150 logo features a patchwork of land parcels, symbolizing the many people, cultures and neighbourhoods that come together to form one city.
Learn more about our STC 150 celebrations, as well as our special anniversary logo and theme, at stcatharines.ca/STC150.
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Amendment approved to permit three-storey addition to 579 Ontario St. commercial building
Council approved a City Zoning By-law Amendment to facilitate a three-storey residential addition to the existing commercial building Ramaker’s Imports Inc. at 579 Ontario St.
The proposed development would include 12 residential units, 13 parking spaces, including one accessible parking space, and permitted commercial uses: a retail store, restaurant, service commercial, and offices.
City staff are of the opinion the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment is consistent with and conforms to the Provincial Planning Statement (2024), the Niagara Official Plan and the Garden City Plan (Official Plan).
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Council receives residential beach parking staff report
Council received a report on Resident Beach Parking Permits, Operating and Financial Options for 2026.
In a tie vote, Council voted against an alternative motion to remove the administrative fee for resident beach parking permits for 2026. The lost motion had also stated an upper limit of $221,000 be allocated from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to cover administrative and implementation costs associated with the change, including additional parking staff to support customer service and administration.
Beach parking permits continue to be available for purchase on the City's website, or in person at City Hall for $16.25 for the season (May 1 to Sept. 30). Otherwise, paid visitor parking is in effect at Lakeside Park Beach and Sunset Beach from May 1 to Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. The fee for each parking space is $3.25 per hour. Sunset Beach has a $20 flat maximum fee for the day, while Lakeside Park Beach has a three-hour maximum time limit. St. Catharines residents who have obtained a Resident Beach Parking Permit can park without paying an hourly fee or observing a time limit.
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Council votes against amendments to facilitate 3.5-storey, 31-unit apartment building
Council voted to deny amendments to the City Official Plan (Garden City Plan) and to the Zoning By-law to redesignate the vacant land at 704 Niagara St. to facilitate the development of a 3.5-storey, 31-unit market rental apartment building with 37 surface vehicle parking spaces and 12 bicycle parking spaces; four short-term and eight long-term.
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Zoning By-law amended to permit replacement of St. Catharines Fire Station No. 3
Council amended the City’s Zoning By-law for 285 Pelham Rd. and a portion of 285A Pelham Rd. to facilitate the replacement of St. Catharines Fire Station No. 3.
Council had requested more information from staff at its March 23, 2026, meeting in response to concerns raised by residents related to drainage, flooding, access to the greenspace, and exhaust fumes, including information on cost savings when purchasing fire trucks.
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Procedure By-law
City Council approved an amendment to the Procedure By-law to allow motions not appearing on the Council agenda to be considered by a two-thirds vote of Council.
| | Get Engaged with your City | | Check out the active projects seeking citizen feedback in St. Catharines and stay tuned to EngageSTC.ca to have your say on more projects in the coming weeks. | | |
The Future of Facer Street
The City of St. Catharines has initiated a study to develop a vision for the revitalization of Facer Street, from Niagara Street to Grantham Avenue, into more of a pedestrian-focused corridor.
Your input throughout this process is critical to the success of this project.
Complete our survey now through this Thursday, April 30.
View the project and complete the survey at engagestc.ca/Facer-Street-Design-Study
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Ontario Street Secondary Plan background study released
The City has launched a Secondary Plan study for the Ontario Street corridor, extending from the QEW in the north to Welland Avenue in the south, leading into the downtown core.
A Secondary Plan is a detailed land use planning document that builds on the City’s Official Plan by providing more specific direction for how an area should grow and develop over time, including land uses, urban design, transportation, and infrastructure.
Visit the Ontario Street Corridor Secondary Plan Study project and share your comments and questions.
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Municipal election candidate nominations open May 1
Individuals interested in running in the 2026 municipal and school board elections can file their nomination papers from May 1 to Aug. 21, 2026. Nomination papers are available through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website or at municipal Clerk’s Offices. The following information applies to candidates filing nomination papers:
On Wednesday, April 29, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, in partnership with Niagara’s municipalities, is hosting a candidate information session at the Welland Community Centre for anyone interested in running as a candidate, or becoming a third-party advertiser in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election.
For more information about becoming a candidate, attending the candidate information session or registering as a third-party advertiser, please visit the Niagara Votes website or you can find additional resources on the City's municipal election pages.
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2027 Calendar by Artists of the Older Adult Centre now available
It's that time again - the 2027 calendars featuring artwork by the Artists of the Older Adult Centres are now available.
Calendars are for 12 months (January to December, 2027), with a portion of the proceeds from sales benefitting Wellspring Niagara.
Calendars are available for purchase at both Dunlop Drive and West St. Catharines Older Adult Centre, Russell Ave and Port Weller Community Centre, the Kiwanis Aquatics Centre, and the St. Catharines Museum gift shop.
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St. Catharines celebrates its community volunteers
The City of St. Catharines honoured more than 70 community volunteers at the 38th annual Volunteer Recognition Awards during a special celebration on April 21 at Market Square.
Mayor Mat Siscoe presented the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award to Bruce Krushelnicki and the Lifetime Volunteer Service Award to Marie France-Marcie. Wendy Cukier presented the 2026 Margaret and Robin MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award to Molly Nullmeyer and Michael Selvig. Tim Sabourin received the inaugural Spirit of Sport Award while Jim and Loretta Davis received the inaugural Equity and Inclusion Champion Award.
Every year during National Volunteer Week, the City celebrates community service by recognizing deserving volunteers who give their time, talent and treasure to make our city a better place each and every day.
Visit the City’s Volunteer Recognition Awards webpage for more information and the full list of 2026 award recipients.
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Make every drop count: Rain barrel sales now open
Residents interested in helping to create a green St. Catharines can go online now to purchase a City-subsidized rain barrel for their property.
Residents can now purchase, at the deeply discounted rate of $60 each, as many as two rain barrels for their property until May 25 or when pre-orders sell out. Rain barrels enable residents to collect rainwater for use in their gardens while reducing water pollution by keeping property runoff out of the sewer system.
Barrels are $60 each, tax included, and must be picked up on Saturday, June 13 between 8:30 a.m. and noon in the parking lot of Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre at 240 St. Paul St. W.
Residents are asked to bring at time of pickup some form of identification with proof of a St. Catharines address, such as a driver’s licence or recent utility bill.
Barrels are limited and pre-order is required. For more information, including how to order a rain barrel, visit stcatharines.ca/RainBarrel.
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City issues 2SLGBTQIA+ artists' Call Out for 'Full Colour' Pride Month visual art exhibition
The City of St. Catharines invites submissions from 2SLGBTQIA+ artists at every career stage from across the Niagara Region for “Full Colour: A Celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ Art and Expression,” a group exhibition to be presented during Pride Month in June.
“Full Colour” celebrates the depth, diversity and vibrancy of queer and trans artistic practices. This City exhibition will bring together artists working across disciplines to explore the many ways 2SLGBTQIA+ communities express identity, build connection, and imagine new possibilities.
We welcome submissions that engage with themes including, but not limited to:
- Identity, gender, and sexuality
- Visibility, resistance, and advocacy
- Joy, celebration, and chosen family
- Memory, history, and community archives
- Transformation, fluidity, and becoming
- Futures, imagination, and queer world-building
We strongly encourage submissions from artists who reflect the diversity of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, racialized, Indigenous, disabled, and neurodivergent artists.
The submission deadline is Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 11:30 p.m.
(Eco dyeing textiles workshop photo credit: Jess Max)
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Museum Walking Tours
Explore the foundations of our community with a walking tour. These guided walking tours are led by expert museum staff who are filled with stories of the past and take you to where history happened. See the City's built heritage up close and learn more about the history of your neighbourhood!
Tours include:
- Walking tours of Victoria Lawn Cemetery
- Walking tours of the Merritt Trail and other City parks and trails
- Walking tours of downtown, Merritton, and Port Dalhousie (spring session now full)
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The Garden City Golf Course opens April 30
Fore!
The Garden City Golf Course will reopen this Thursday, April 30, 2026. Please note carts are not available until conditions dry out. Please watch our City golf webpage for further information.
The City of St. Catharines owns and operates the Garden City Golf Course. Located in the heart of the city at 37 Lincoln Ave., the par-60 executive course features a licensed clubhouse and patio, putting and chipping greens and practice driving cages.
We offer daily barbecue features on our deck as well as daily beverage cart. We welcome players of every level of the game.
Come and enjoy our picturesque landscape and enjoy 3,563 yards of golf from our red tee blocks and 2,971 yards from our yellow tee blocks.
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An unforgettable, enchanting performer, Jill Barber has headlined iconic venues across the globe such as Toronto’s Massey Hall and Roy Thompson Hall, Ottawa’s National Arts Centre, and Tokyo’s Blue Note and Cotton Club.
Don't miss this intimate performance on Thursday April 30 at 7 p.m. presented in partnership with Niagara Jazz Festival and the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
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Cape Breton’s Men of the Deeps chorus invites you to celebrate 60 years of music, storytelling and camaraderie. The world-famous miners have spent the last 60 years on stages all over the globe together, preserving the past and lighting the way forward.
Prepare to enjoy uplifting songs, stories, belly laughs and maybe even a step or two in Partridge Hall on Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m. at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
| | Spring has sprung at the St. Catharines Public Library. Discover programs for all ages from STEM drop-ins and storytimes to poetry workshop and arts programs. Pick up a program guide at your neighbourhood library branch or check out the guide online: https://www.myscpl.ca/programs-events/program-guide/ | |
OneRead, OneSTC: Terry Fallis and The Marionette
You're invited to join the St. Catharines Public Library and the City of St. Catharines for OneRead, OneSTC!
On June 11, Mayor Mat Siscoe will sit down with award-winning Canadian author Terry Fallis to discuss his latest book, "The Marionette". Borrow The Marionette from SCPL and don't forget to register for an evening of conversation and community. This program is free to attend.
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Here to Help.
Anytime. Anywhere.
Find her at stcatharines.ca
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