News

City continues investments in safe drinking water, renewal of water and wastewater infrastructure

The City of St. Catharines continues to ensure residents can rely on safe, affordable drinking water, while balancing investments in the future of the City’s water and wastewater infrastructure and enhanced regulatory compliance measures.

On Monday, Council approved rates for water-wastewater services in its 2023 water and wastewater budget. The new rates, represent a $84.58 increase over the year for the average ratepayer – or the equivalent of less than a quarter a day. The increase comes as...

City looking for proponent to help redevelop surplus Geneva Street property into housing

The City of St. Catharines has reinitiated its efforts to see 320 Geneva St. redeveloped into a project that includes affordable housing.

On Monday night City Council approved the issuing of a negotiated request for proposal for the property, in an attempt to once again redevelop the surplus City lands into a mixed-income housing development that includes a long-term affordable requirement. To address some ongoing health and safety concerns, the City will also move forward with demolition of...

Tenant, property owner plead guilty, facing fines for not maintaining smoke alarms

Failure to ensure smoke alarms were installed and properly maintained at a Currie Street home has netted a property owner and tenant fines and convictions for Ontario Fire Code offences.

In a Jan. 26 court appearance in Provincial Offences Court, the two defendants and prosecutor for the City of St. Catharines arrived at a resolution, on a joint-submission basis, that led to the property owner pleading guilty to a charge related to a failure to maintain a smoke alarm in operating condition, and...

Operations of Merritton Centennial Arena set to transition from Lions Club to City

Lions Club votes not to extend lease agreement with City after nearly 45 years

After operating the Merritton Arena autonomously through a lease agreement originally dating back to 1979, the Lions Club of Merritton membership recently approved a motion to not renew the lease agreement beyond this year’s ice season.

The City of St. Catharines has allocated funding in its 2023 operating budget to support arena operations when the lease ends at the end of May. Lions Club treasurer Keith Brown, says...

Open house set to seek input on creation of Ontario Street Corridor Secondary Plan

Community engagement key to developing future vision for the area

The City’s work to develop a land-use study to help guide the future redevelopment of 282-285 Ontario St. (the former General Motors lands), and areas north and south of those properties, takes another step forward with a public open house next week.

A public open house for the Ontario Street Corridor Secondary Plan will take place Tuesday, Feb. 7, at the Holiday Inn and Suites, 327 Ontario St., in the Merlot Room. The community is...