Latest news with #Orillia
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Orillia outsiders slapped with surcharge for using rec facilities
Big changes could be coming to the cost of fun in Orillia... especially if you don't live in the city. Those living in neighbouring communities to Orillia will be hit with a 50 per cent surcharge when using the city's recreational facilities next year. This increase will apply to various programs like swimming, summer camps, and memberships but not to user groups like minor hockey and figure skating. The city says more than half of its recreation users are non-residents and city councillors see this measure as a way to recoup some costs in next year's budget while maintaining service levels. Mayor Don McIsaac saying, 'Residents have given feedback, and they say, 'Look, it's not appropriate that we subsidize people from out of town. I mean, Orillia provides services, we have beautiful parks, we keep those up, people from out of town, we encourage our users of the park so people come and use the park, we're fine with that, but the rec center and the library, those drive our costs, and we just want to make sure we recover appropriately and don't unduly burden the taxpayers of Orillia.' The city says communities like Oro-Medonte, Severn, and Ramara can pay a lump sum to avoid the surcharge for its residents. They have time to negotiate that sum, with this measure to go into effect next May.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Grab your shovel and load up free compost in Orillia
The City of Orillia has extra compost to give away. 'Residents can pick up compost until August 30, or while supplies last,' the City stated in a Tuesday social media post. Grab your shovel and containers and load up free compost, now available at the Waste Diversion Site at 100 Kitchener Street or at the new location at Morningstar Park at 1125 Mississaga Street West. Residents must load their own compost, but staff will assist as required with larger, commercial pick-ups. 'This is a great opportunity for residents to enrich their gardens and landscaping with nutrient-rich compost generated through the City's green bin and yard waste programs,' the City stated. Compost is no longer available at Kitchener Park, the City added. 'We apologize for the inconvenience.'
CTV News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Dazzling display danced in the night skies over Orillia
The northern lights dance over the City of Orillia on Tues., July 22, 2025. Residents in and around Orillia were treated to a dazzling display of the northern lights Tuesday night as the Aurora Borealis lit up the sky with a summer appearance. A local photographer captured the spectacular show of green, purple, and pink, which danced in the sky and reflected on the waters of Lake Couchiching. Environment Canada does not forecast aurora activity, but space agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Canada's Aurora Forecast often provide updates when auroras are likely. Experts say the best time to see the northern lights in Ontario are during periods of low cloud cover, minimal light pollution, and when solar storm alerts are active. The next peak viewing period for the northern lights in Canada is expected to be in the fall, according to experts.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Local charity rolls out free hygiene kits for families in need
A Simcoe County charity is taking steps to make hygiene more accessible for families struggling financially. Glowing Hearts Charity launched its Hygiene Heroes campaign, providing free hygiene kits packed with essential personal care items to those in need. 'Often budgets only have a small flexible part to it and it tends to be things like hygiene and groceries that can be the first to go when people are tight on funds,' explained Michael Baumtrog, a board member with Glowing Hearts Charity. 'This is the way to provide for those items that are necessary so people can reserve their cash flow for other less flexible areas of the budget.' The kits are customized to fit each household's specific needs and aims to maintain a sense of dignity, especially when money's tight and lead to prioritizing other essentials like rent, food, or transportation over hygiene products. Drop-off Locations Barrie Blue Haven Wellness (July) - 346 Ardagh Rd, Lower Unit BNI Spirit Catchers at Office Inc. (Fridays from 7am to 8:30am until August 15) - 54 Cedar Pointe Dr #1207 BrokerLink (July and August)) - 128 Wellington St. W Unit 1038J6 Nawab's Indian Cuisine (July and August) - 70 Essa Road, Barrie Smiles on Essa Dental - 430 Essa Road Unit 6 Orillia Orillia Chevrolet Buick GMC (July 21 to 25) - 20 Mulcahy Court Orillia Public Library (July and August) - 36 Mississaga St. W. Oro-Medonte The Red Shed Supply Company Ltd. (July and August) - 983 Line 7 South Warminster Tranont Associate (Until August 31) - 20 Demont Drive Wasaga Beach Cutting Edge Salon & Spa (Starting July 7) - 563 River Rd W #1 The Hygiene Heroes campaign is just one of the many initiatives undertaken by Glowing Hearts Charity to reduce barriers and provide support across Simcoe County.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Orillia's great flag challenge names most patriotic street
Orillia's great flag challenge resulted in one street being named the winner with 95 Canadian flags per house.
