Latest news with #ThunderBay
CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
Assessments of new Thunder Bay temporary shelter village site underway
The City of Thunder Bay is moving ahead with site assessments at the new location for its temporary shelter village, with hopes of starting construction there next month. Thunder Bay City Council chose the Hillyard site — located at the end of Alloy Place — at its meeting last week. "A number of assessments are currently underway," said Cynthia Olsen, the city's director of strategy and engagement. " "They include archaeological assessment, environmental impact studies, environmental site assessment, flood assessment, and we'll also be conducting an on site safety assessment like we've done with other locations with community partners," Olsen said. "Once we get through those phases, we'll be able to review the findings, discuss any mitigation measures that might be required, and then move into design." The village, when complete, will include 80 sleeping cabins for use by the city's unhoused population, as well as on-site support services to help them transition to permanent housing. Olsen said the city has issued requests for proposal for the design and construction of the village, and its operation. "The design-build RFP was extended to August 1 really to give the proponents time to reassess what they were submitting based on the new site location," she said. "The operator RFP is still in process, and we're in a blackout. So I can't say anything further than that." City council has considered many potential sites for the village over the last year. In the case of Hillyard, it was brought forward last Monday by Coun. Mark Bentz, after council declined to ratify its earlier approval of a location on Miles Street East. The city has budgeted about $5 million for the construction of the village, and $1.5 million annually for operations. However, if they meet certain construction and occupancy timelines, they'll be eligible for $2.8 million in provincial funding. Olsen said the city hopes to see construction start in August. And, she said, there's a possibility that the village may be able to recoup some costs through rent charged to some of its residents, depending on their financial situations. "We will anticipate that some individuals will be in receipt of Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, potentially even Old Age Security, and be able to contribute their shelter portion towards the rental cost," she said. "But that will not be a requirement to be admitted." "It wouldn't be just like a regular landlord," Olsen said. "This is a program that would meet the exemption criteria under the Residential Tenancy Act." "It would provide services like life skills, employment, or health services. And by doing so, by providing those components of a program, you would be exempt under the Residential Tenancy Act." Lower ranking The Hillyard site scored 73 per cent on the city's ranked site analysis. The rankings list a number of strengths for the Hillyard site: it's municipally-owned, large enough to fit the needed number of units, and accessible by emergency services. In addition, the use of the site doesn't interfere with any city growth goals, and there are currently no active municipal uses of the site. However, there are some challenges with the site, as well, including its distance from transit and external supportive services, its "very low" readiness for construction (the site is currently a treed lot), as well as its distance from established encampments. Also the site is considered high risk in terms of safety due to high traffic, proximity to "sensitive use areas," industrial businesses, and a rail corridor. "Certainly we are aware that nearby businesses have concerns and we are very open to engaging," Olsen said. "We are actually working towards doing a specific session for the nearby businesses, with date, time, and location all to be determined." "But we are working with the support of the Chamber of Commerce who has been connected with those businesses." Olsen said the city will also be establishing a neighbourhood liaison committee. "This will allow the opportunity for two way communication between the local businesses, residents, the city and the operator, and it gives us a point of contact," she said. The Miles Street East site, meanwhile, scored 87 per cent in the city's ranked site analysis (it was the highest-scoring site), with the city citing its proximity to support services and encampments, safety, space, and accessibility by emergency services as strengths. "I definitely support the project in general, the idea of it, as long as it's temporary and it leads to permanent housing," said Brendan Carlin, executive director of Shelter House, which is located near to the Miles Street East site. Concerns over distance Carlin said Miles Street East was his preferred location for the village. "I feel like (Hillyard) was chosen quite suddenly and because of the funding constraints, there wasn't a real good debate around it," Carlin said. "My personal concerns about it would be distance." "We are a soup kitchen, so we feed people here, a lot of the people that are going to be in this village," he said. "We're a long way from there. And the other large soup kitchen is on the other side of town, Dew Drop Inn, and it's about the same distance away from them as well."
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
'Joy for decades': New generation takes the reins of the Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association
Social Sharing Through the spring and summer months, Janna Wakefield and her family visit the Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association (TBTRA) twice a week. It's something she's done for the past eighteen years, allowing her to build skill, confidence, and community over time. "Janna is autistic, she loves coming out to ride the horses. She likes the movement, enjoys being around her peers … and she really looks forward to coming out here," said Randy Wakefield, as he watches his daughter participate in a riding session. "In the beginning we'd only maybe get, maybe ten or fifteen minutes into a ride and that would be it. Now we can ride for the whole session, and it's great," he added. The Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association has been operating for decades just outside of the city, but in April the program moved to a new facility and has a new group of people at the helm. "Well, after 35 years in our past location led by our previous leaders, they finally got to retire," said Wendy Handy, program director of the TBTRA. "A new crew has taken up the reins and we've taken on the challenge of continuing the program. So it's sort of like the next generation. I personally started with therapeutic riding when I was twelve. So this has always been my little back of mind dream, to be in a position where I can continue the program and allow it to move forward," she said. The Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association now operates out of Visions Farm on Nicholetts Road in Murillo, Ont., just outside of Thunder Bay. On a Monday night, the barn is a bustling place as riders arrive with their families, and sometimes support workers. Each rider is outfitted with a helmet and a safety belt, and they are matched up with a horse and a leader, along with two people to walk alongside the horse. This is to ensure the ride is completely supported. "I have seen such joy in our riders for decades and there are so many stories I have of riders who come and this is maybe the only activity they get to do. Nonverbal riders, some of them start talking and we can get a 'walk on' and 'woah' to happen," said Handy. The program offers riding sessions twice a week for people of all ages, and with differing abilities. Outside of the sessions, a group of dedicated volunteers work through the week to ensure their six horses are continuously getting exercise and training. "There is a lot of training and desensitization to all of the different sorts of sounds and activities. Our horses are used to having basketballs thrown off of them into nets … And so all of our horses are trained to be used to that and not startled by it," said Handy. "So our horses are kept trained and conditioned to that kind of environment, that sort of stimulus all around them," she added. Some riders practice holding the reins and trotting with their horse, while others play games on horseback. Each activity is designed to provide some physical exercise, as well as cognitive stimulation. Since the association has moved facilities, many of its volunteers have moved with it. Some people have been volunteering for over twenty years, while others are just getting started this summer. Ongoing Search for Volunteers Darlene Craig has been volunteering with the organization for about twenty five years. She said like many other charitable organizations in Canada, the TBTRA is always looking for more volunteers and support from the community. "Volunteers are always, always welcome and if you love kids or anybody with a disability and you want to make the community better …come out and just try it," she said. The association aims to have about twenty people volunteering at each riding session. It is also looking for help at its fundraising events, which help to keep the program running. "We are a small but mighty program with a large overhead, horses take a lot to take care of. And so we have a very valuable service that we offer, but it takes a lot of funds to keep it going and we rely on the community support for that," said Handy. People can find more information on the Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association's Facebook page and website.
CBC
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Bay and Algoma Buskers Festival marks 10th year
While some intense weather caused some concern over the weekend, the 2025 Bay and Algoma Buskers Festival was a success, organizers said. The 10th annual festival ran Saturday and Sunday in the Bay and Algoma neighbourhood. It featured various food and merchandise vendors, and performers from Thunder Bay, and around the world, including: Steve Goodtime Seb and Fritzzz Fraser Hooper Skye the Guy Kasmir the Hungry The Kidd Creed Statuary Women in Silk Taiko Drummers Phineas Gauge, and the Bay Street Bastards. Things got underway later than planned on Sunday, due to a heavy downpour that hit the city late in the morning, said Uriel Lubuk, one of the event's coordinators. "It was awesome to see a lot of the arts and culture community come out," he said. "Awesome vendors, lots of smiley faces, lots of kids." "We've always wanted free family fun," Lubuk said. "People come down, tip the buskers, see something new and amazing that they haven't seen before." One of the local buskers was Zachary Ross, who performed both Saturday and Sunday. "I've started learning how to do folk music," he said. "I host open mics at Lakehead Beer Company, and yeah, just love the community and love going out to play." "I think it's a great time," he said of the festival. "I love seeing everyone out here." Lubuk said organizers are already turning their attention to next year's buskers festival "and just seeing how we could push through, do a little bit better next year, but just keep the vibes the same."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Severe weather likely on Sunday, one or two tornadoes possible
Severe thunderstorms are likely across portions of southern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario again on Sunday as an active pattern remains in place to close out the weekend. Several rounds of thunderstorms are possible—one in the morning, followed by another in the mid-afternoon to early evening hours. One or two tornadoes are possible. Keep an eye on the radar and stay aware of watches and warnings in your area. Know where to go and what to do if a tornado warning is issued for your location. DON'T MISS: Severe weather likely on Sunday Sunday will kick off with an early-morning mesoscale convective system (MCS) expected to develop stateside. This organized line of thunderstorms will push into northwestern Ontario and head toward the Thunder Bay area. Expect this first round of storms between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. local time. A second line of severe thunderstorms will develop and approach the area during the afternoon hours. Large hail, gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and one or two tornadoes are possible in these storms. The environment is favourable for rotating thunderstorms near the international border, including Fort Frances and Atikokan. STAY SAFE: There remains some uncertainty in the timing and coverage of the lines of storms in northwestern Ontario, as they depend on the timing of the cold front's arrival and the atmosphere's ability to destabilize itself amid the wildfire smoke over the region. Folks across southern Manitoba, including Winnipeg, could see severe thunderstorms fire up beginning Sunday afternoon as a low-pressure system moves into the region. The main hazard from this cluster of storms will be large hail and heavy rainfall. Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on this evolving severe weather threat. Header image created using graphics and imagery from Canva. WATCH: In a tornado warning? Here's what you should do Click here to view the video
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Severe weather likely on Sunday, one or two tornadoes possible
Severe thunderstorms are likely across portions of southern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario again on Sunday as an active pattern remains in place to close out the weekend. Several rounds of thunderstorms are possible—one in the morning, followed by another in the mid-afternoon to early evening hours. One or two tornadoes are possible. Keep an eye on the radar and stay aware of watches and warnings in your area. Know where to go and what to do if a tornado warning is issued for your location. DON'T MISS: Severe weather likely on Sunday Sunday will kick off with an early-morning mesoscale convective system (MCS) expected to develop stateside. This organized line of thunderstorms will push into northwestern Ontario and head toward the Thunder Bay area. Expect this first round of storms between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. local time. A second line of severe thunderstorms will develop and approach the area during the afternoon hours. Large hail, gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and one or two tornadoes are possible in these storms. The environment is favourable for rotating thunderstorms near the international border, including Fort Frances and Atikokan. STAY SAFE: There remains some uncertainty in the timing and coverage of the lines of storms in northwestern Ontario, as they depend on the timing of the cold front's arrival and the atmosphere's ability to destabilize itself amid the wildfire smoke over the region. Folks across southern Manitoba, including Winnipeg, could see severe thunderstorms fire up beginning Sunday afternoon as a low-pressure system moves into the region. The main hazard from this cluster of storms will be large hail and heavy rainfall. Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on this evolving severe weather threat. Header image created using graphics and imagery from Canva. WATCH: In a tornado warning? Here's what you should do Click here to view the video
