Latest news with #Orillia
CTV News
4 days ago
- CTV News
Serious collision forces road closure in Orillia
OPP in Orillia are on the scene of a serious collision on Monck Road between Side Road 25 and Side Road 20 in Ramara Township. According to police, 3 people have been transferred to hospital with serious injuries. The crash is currently under investigation and as a result the roadway is closed. This is a developing situation and more information will be provided when it becomes available.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Sustainable showcase in Orillia to feature the future of boating
From the dock to Lake Couchiching, the future of boating will be on full display this weekend at the Sustainable Orillia Green Innovative Showcase. ENVGO is showcasing its fully electric hydrofoil prototype called the NV1. Mike Peasgood, CEO of ENVGO, said the hydrofoil is the main principal the electrification. 'The main principle behind that technology is a wing which sits underneath the water and it lifts the hull out of the water,' said Peasgood. 'That gives us some incredible efficiency and performance which really makes that electrification practical.' The sleek vessel promises to go farther and faster than gas-powered boats, with hydrofoils that lift it above the water for a smoother, more efficient ride. 'That's really the big differentiator beyond the zero emissions,' said Peasgood. 'We're not polluting the environment but we're also giving an overall better experience of that smooth flight over water and really showcase what that future of marine technology is going to look like.' Danny Epstein is the vice president of the Sustainable Orillia Green Innovation Showcase. The event runs Saturday July 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. He hopes people who attend the showcase have a better understanding of sustainability after walking through the grounds. 'We can't keep growing and we can't be dependent on growth all the time. and people need to understand that there are limits to growth,' said Epstein. 'We live in at a time where, obviously there's lots of evidence of climate change.' Fully electric hydrofoil prototype Fully electric hydrofoil prototype watercraft on display in Orillia, Ont., on Fri., July 25, 2025. (Source: Luke Simard/CTV News) The showcase continues to grow year over year and more than 60 electric vehicles will be on display along with a fleet of EV boats. 'Boats that you do see here are new technology, particularly the ENVGO boat,' said Epstein. 'That's new Canadian technology, and it's clean technology.' Vendors like M-Oceans participating in the showcase say that electric will be the future of boating. 'Yes, 100% sustainability is where it's all headed towards, we see vessels from small inflatable dinghies to sailboats to even some larger power boats being converted, very actively today,' said Anatolii Shkliaruk, founder of M-Oceans. With functional benefits continuing to increase on EV vessels. 'Sailing off into the sunset with no noise, no gas, no clouds of smoke, and quiet,' said Shkliaruk. 'It aligns with the philosophy of sailing and boating in general and all the harbors and the small lakes are then clean with no spills. There's no oil and marine wildlife is preserved.' With a small fraction of electric boats in the water today, Peasgood believes there will be a shift coming. 'That's because it takes so much power to push the boat through the water. What we're building here, is the technology which gives us the efficiency so that electric becomes practical,' said Peasgood. 'I think, inevitably, we'll transition to electric, and this is a technology that we need to make that happen.' The showcase is free attend and will have activities for kids including face painting.
CTV News
7 days 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
7 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
7 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.
