Local News Briefs
- YMCA Partnership Revealed – Atria Development Corp, the owners of the former YMCA building in St. Catharines, is hoping the city will reconsider their decision to not partner with them to reopen the recreation facility. Atria said they would charge the city $1.67 million to lease the facility and the city could generate revenue through licenses and subleasing, membership and programming fees. (St. Catharines Standard)
- Man Killed By Train – A man was struck and killed by a Go train Wednesday near the St. Catharines GO Train station. (CHCH)
- Region Approves Police Budget – The Niagara Region has passed the 2024 police budget after the Niagara Regional Police Services board reduced its original budget from $190.5 million to $188.5 million. As well, council passed a $265.9-million operating budget for 2024, which is an increase of 3.84% year-over-year. (St. Catharines Standard)
- Winter Recreation Programs – Registration for the St. Catharines winter recreation and aquatic programming will open online for residents on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and in-person at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre. Non-residents can start registering online on Thursday at 6 p.m. with in-person registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. (City of St. Catharines)
- Help For NOTL Tourism – After deny a request by Niagara-on-the-Lake Tourism CEO and president Minerva Ward for a $226,000 loan to cover expenses underwritten by the NOTL Chamber of Commerce, councillors have agreed to a transfer agreement between the town and its Destination Marketing Organization. The agreement will result in the chamber no longer having to underwrite expenses for NOTL Tourism. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)