News

In January 2023, Owen Sound residents and visitors joined together to celebrate the game of hockey when Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada blanketed the city with all things hockey. Being a true hockey community, several partners have come together, supported by the City of Owen Sound, to keep annual celebrations going, with HockeyFest 2024 planned for Thursday, November 14, to Saturday, November 16.

HockeyFest is a partnership between Owen Sound Girls Hockey, local elementary and high schools, and the City of Owen Sound with the support of the University of Waterloo Warriors, who compete within Ontario University Athletics.

On October 23, Jay Pitter Placemaking and the City of Owen Sound will host an Inclusive and Creative Community Engagement professional development workshop for community stakeholders at the Bayshore Community Centre from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

As previously announced, the City of Owen Sound has engaged Jay Pitter Placemaking to lead the Future Owen Sound —Vision 2050, which is responding to multiple rapid changes within and beyond the city. 

Register for the (free) Inclusive and Creative Community Engagement Workshop here.

The City of Owen Sound will be closing 10th Street East to through traffic from 11th Avenue East to 16th Avenue East between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2024, for tree removal.

This month, the Draft Operating Budget is being shared at Committee Meetings as part of the budget-building process on the following dates:

• Corporate Services Committee, including Fire Protection Services, on Thursday, October 10, at 5:30 p.m.
• Community Services Committee on Wednesday, October 16, at 5:30 p.m. 
• Operations Committee on Thursday, October 17, at 5:30 p.m.
• Police Services Budget Review with Council on Monday, October 21

Motorists travelling on 10th Street between 2nd Avenue West and 2nd Avenue East may experience eastbound lane reductions on Monday, October 7, 2024, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The sidewalk on the south side of the 10th Street bridge will also be closed to pedestrians between 1st Avenue West and 2nd Avenue East. 

The second last Household Hazardous Waste Day event is taking place this Saturday, October 5! The event will be held at the Public Works Facility (1900 20th Street East) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Ongoing efforts and focus on increasing brand recognition, promotion and experience development in the Owen Sound River District have made strides since 2020.  Most recent analytics, reported to the River District Board of Management in September, show that the vacancy rate of commercial business space in the River District continues to improve occupancy rates.   

The City of Owen Sound observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, on September 30.  To recognize and honour Indigenous lives lost, the survivors, and the lasting impact of the residential school system, flags will be at half-mast across City facilities on Monday.

On Saturday, September 28, from 2 to 4 p.m., the Tom Thomson Art Gallery will unveil three new exhibitions, including a community partner project with Owen Sound’s Reach Centre.

The City of Owen Sound continues the annual fire hydrant flushing program, currently in the city's South-East hill area.  Yearly fire hydrant flushing ensures they are operational and improves water quality.