St. Catharines approves development charges
- St. Catharines City Council has approved the re-introduction of development charges, providing a more balanced approach where growth pays for growth, rather than the burden of growth-related infrastructure falling to the taxpayer.
- Development charges are fees imposed on land development and redevelopment projects to help pay for the cost of infrastructure required to provide municipal services to new development, such as roads, transit, sewer infrastructure, fire services infrastructure, and park amenities.
- St. Catharines is currently the only municipality in Niagara that does not collect lower-tier development charges.
- The development charge bylaw will come into effect January 1, 2022.
Applications open in St. Catharines for outdoor ice rinks
- The St. Catharines outdoor ice rink project has moved from its pilot stage into a full-fledged program.
- Applications are now open for volunteer groups seeking to operate an outdoor skating rink in their neighbourhood under the Community Outdoor Ice Rink Program.
- The project allows community volunteer groups to build, operate and maintain outdoor ice rinks in City-owned parks.
- Volunteer groups are permitted to apply to use any park they wish, provided it offers a reasonably flat surface, sufficient lighting, access for emergency vehicles and adequate parking.
- Learn more about the program at www.stcatharines.ca/OutdoorRinks.
St. Catharines Mayor’s home and cars vandalized
- The home of St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik was vandalized last night with his home, fence and two cars spray painted.
- The vandalism comes just days after St. Catharines federal Liberal candidate Chris Bittle had his vehicle spray painted with the words ‘F U Liberal’.
- At Monday evening’s city council meeting, Sendzik spoke out against the painting of Bittle’s car, calling it “disheartening”.
- On Tuesday morning, Sendzik woke up and found the words “F–k communists,” “F–k Trudeau,” “commie,” “NDP” and “Jagmeet 4 PM” painted on his property.
Fundraising underway, artists shortlisted for Neil Peart Memorial at Lakeside Park
- St. Catharines’ Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force has launched a fundraising campaign to erect a public work of art in Peart’s honour at Lakeside Park, alongside the recently named Neil Peart Pavilion.
- Lakeside Park inspired the lyrics to a famous Rush single of the same name.
- For more information, or to make a donation towards the Neil Peart Memorial at Lakeside Park, click here.