Latest news with #CommunitiesInBloom
CTV News
03-08-2025
- General
- CTV News
Moosomin welcomes beautification judges for Communities in Bloom national challenge
WATCH: Earlier this week, The City of Moosomin welcomed Communities in Bloom judges for their entry at the national challenge. Fruzsina De Cloedt has more. Earlier this week, The City of Moosomin welcomed Communities in Bloom judges for their entry at the national challenge. Moosomin's Main Street was blooming, as colourful flowers sat in their planters in front of the local businesses. It was a busy week for residents, as Moosomin's Communities in Bloom (CiB) Committee encouraged everyone to keep up their yards and pick up garbage. The preparations were made in an effort to win the national challenge and advance toward the international competition, which is done by impressing the two judges who visited Moosomin. 'We have six categories that we evaluate communities on,' said Christine Isaac, one of the judges. 'We have community appearance, tree management, heritage conservation, landscape, environmental action, and plant and floral displays.' Moosomin The City of Moosomin is hoping to win the national Communities in Bloom competition. (Fruzsina De Cloedt / CTV News) Based on the judges' notes from Wednesday and Thursday, Moosomin will be evaluated on a matrix. Moosomin has already won the provincial challenge, 'which gave them the ability to enter the national contest this year,' said Larry Hall, the other visiting judge. This is the second time Moosomin has found success, after making it to the national level in 2004. 'At that time, you might say the committee was about myself and two friends and we competed for three years at [the] provincial level,' recalled Ann Norgan, one of the local CIB committee members. The Communities in Bloom contest started years before Ann and her friends decided to sign Moosomin up. With guidance from similar initiatives in Ireland and France, Communities in Bloom was born in 1995. Today, it's a non-profit organization in partnership with the Canadian National Landscape Association. Becoming a judge is open to anyone. 'We all have various backgrounds, and it's just something that we're all very passionate about,' explained Isaac. 'We always go in pairs. So, if you are a brand-new judge, you'll go with someone that has been out a few times.' Moosomin The City of Moosomin is hoping to win the national Communities in Bloom competition. (Fruzsina De Cloedt / CTV News) After Moosomin's success in 2004, the Town Council decided that they needed a break from participating in the CiB challenges. According to Norgan, this is when the town formed its beautification committee. 'I think it's also helped to set the groundwork for it again, a younger generation deciding to be involved in Communities in Bloom,' she concluded. Seeing the revitalized interest, she decided to join again. According to Norgan, preparing for a CiB challenge brings the community together. For example, the town holds friendly, local competitions. 'People get involved in that, whether to grow a tomato plant with the most tomatoes or who has the most unusual planters,' she explained. Moosomin is fully committed to succeeding in the national challenge. 'They have shown us the entire town,' Isaac told CTV News. 'I have to say, I don't know that I have not seen a square inch of this town at this point, but it's all been amazing and beautiful.' The judges' schedule was packed tight. Starting early in the morning, going until late in the evening. They often only had five minutes to explore a location before it was time to move on. For obvious reasons, the judges couldn't tell CTV News if Moosomin is a strong contender. However, Christine said that '[The community in Moosomin] take a lot of pride in their community and that's very evident.' The judges' next stop will be Capreol in Ontario.
CTV News
24-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
North Bay showcases green efforts for community competition
Northern Ontario News North Bay showcases green efforts for community competition Judges evaluate North Bay, Ont., for Communities in Bloom, praising community involvement in environmental efforts. Eric Taschner has the latest.
CTV News
24-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
North Bay showcases green efforts for community in competition
A welcome to North Bay sign hightlight the city's pervious win in Communities in Bloom competitions is shown on July 23, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) Two judges from the national Communities in Bloom competition visited North Bay, Ont., on Wednesday, to assess the city's dedication to environmental stewardship, cultural preservation and community collaboration. Expand Autoplay 1 of 8 North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards A welcome to North Bay sign hightlight the city's pervious win in Communities in Bloom competitions is shown on July 23, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Sights from around North Bay, Ont., on July 23, 2025, as two judges from the national Communities in Bloom competition visited the city to see how citizens are committed to nature, culture and coming together to do good things. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Sights from around North Bay, Ont., on July 23, 2025, as two judges from the national Communities in Bloom competition visited the city to see how citizens are committed to nature, culture and coming together to do good things. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Sights from around North Bay, Ont., on July 23, 2025, as two judges from the national Communities in Bloom competition visited the city to see how citizens are committed to nature, culture and coming together to do good things. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Two community members walk through the city's waterfront as judging was underway in North Bay, Ont., for the 2025 national Communities in Bloom competition on July 23, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Communities in Bloom judges Tina Liu and Karen Stephenson are seen touring a backyard garden in North Bay, Ont., on July 23, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Communities in Bloom judges Tina Liu and Karen Stephenson are seen arriving in North Bay, Ont., on July 23, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Harriet Madigan, chairperson of Clean, Green, Beautiful North Bay, is seen socializing with community members as judging was underway in North Bay, Ont., for the 2025 national Communities in Bloom competition on July 23, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) National judges tour city's natural and cultural highlights Tina Liu and Karen Stephenson explored various locations, tourist attractions, and natural sites, evaluating efforts to combat climate change and promote a healthy environment. Their itinerary included a morning walk through Laurier Woods and a visit to a local backyard garden. North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Communities in Bloom judges Tina Liu and Karen Stephenson are seen touring a backyard garden in North Bay, Ont., on July 23, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) The judges meticulously documented their observations, with Liu taking notes and photographs. Strong community involvement noted 'The community involvement is very solid in North Bay,' Liu said. 'We actually saw during our tours that people just walk by something and pick up garbage.' North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Communities in Bloom judges Tina Liu and Karen Stephenson are seen arriving in North Bay, Ont., on July 23, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) This year's competition evaluates six key criteria: community appearance, environmental actions, tree management, heritage conservation, landscape and plant and floral displays. Liu highlighted the city's strategic planning 'We see the municipality has incorporated that into their master plan and strategic plan,' she said. 'This is what grows healthy communities.' North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Sights from around North Bay, Ont., on July 23, 2025, as two judges from the national Communities in Bloom competition visited the city to see how citizens are committed to nature, culture and coming together to do good things. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) North Bay's previous success in the competition In 2023, North Bay participated in the provincial Communities in Bloom competition, earning a perfect 5/5 Bloom rating with an overall score of 83 per cent. This achievement qualified the city for the 2024 national competition. Judges at the time praised the result as an 'outstanding achievement, particularly for a first-time entrant' in the 50,000 to 100,000 population category. North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Sights from around North Bay, Ont., on July 23, 2025, as two judges from the national Communities in Bloom competition visited the city to see how citizens are committed to nature, culture and coming together to do good things. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) A year later, the city repeated its success, securing another 5/5 rating with a slightly improved score of 83.15 per cent. Additionally, North Bay won the TECK Community Appearance Award and received special recognition for the Northern Pines Transitional Housing complex. Focus on continuous improvement Liu encouraged communities to view the competition as an opportunity for growth rather than a strict scoring system. 'I tend to tell the communities not to fixate on how many points you get and to look at the recognitions and the recommendations,' she told reporters. Harriet Madigan, chairperson of Clean, Green, Beautiful North Bay, emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges. 'They were talking about streetscapes and gave us recommendations on how to enhance it and make it better,' Madigan said. 'We need to really use the word 'we' and not 'I.' That, and we're going to manage climate change. We can't change it.' North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Harriet Madigan, chairperson of Clean, Green, Beautiful North Bay, is seen socializing with community members as judging was underway in North Bay, Ont., for the 2025 national Communities in Bloom competition on July 23, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) Celebrating community pride The judges attended the Centennial Celebrations Festival Wednesday evening to engage with local non-profits and residents. The final results will be announced in mid-October at a symposium and awards ceremony in Stratford, Ont. North Bay competes for Communities in Bloom awards Two community members walk through the city's waterfront as judging was underway in North Bay, Ont., for the 2025 national Communities in Bloom competition on July 23, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) Despite the pending results, Madigan expressed confidence in the city's efforts. 'We've already won because of how our community has come together,' she said. 'In my heart, I know we've already won.'
CTV News
24-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
North Bay judged in national Communities in Bloom contest
Judges evaluate North Bay, Ont., for Communities in Bloom, praising community involvement in environmental efforts. Eric Taschner has the latest as the city now waits for results in October.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Barrie digs into the future with new, state-of-the-art greenhouse
A new, state-of-the-art greenhouse officially opened on Ferndale Drive North in Barrie, Ont. on Thurs., June 12, 2025. The City officially opened a new, state-of-the-art greenhouse Thursday, marking a fresh chapter in local sustainability. "This modern facility reflects our commitment to environmental efficiency, city beautification, and homegrown community pride," stated Mayor Alex Nuttall. Spanning 14,000 square feet, the greenhouse isn't just a bigger space to grow flowers, it's a highly controlled environment packed with technology. Each zone is equipped with its own automated heating, ventilation, irrigation, and solar shade systems. The design focuses heavily on environmental sustainability, with features like LED lighting, high-efficiency light transmission, and water collection systems that promote reuse. The plants grown at the new facility will appear in familiar places around the city, including parks, green spaces, the waterfront, and downtown. The greenhouse will play a vital role in the City's participation in the annual Communities in Bloom competition, which judges municipalities on their environmental and aesthetic efforts. The new greenhouse is located on Ferndale Drive North at the City's Operations Centre.
