March 2024

Vol. 2, Edition 1

The Monthly Update

Welcome to The Monthly Update.

The monthly e-newsletter is a great way to stay informed about council decisions, programs, services, and other types of information relevant to the Town of Gravenhurst.

Click the button below and sign up to receive future editions in your e-mail inbox.

Message from the Mayor

Thanks for looking at our latest edition of The Monthly Update.

This issue marks our one-year anniversary of publishing these e-newsletters.

Our thanks to everyone who has subscribed. If you haven't done so yet - please click the 'sign up' button above.

Subscribing is free and a great way to stay in touch with us. Subscribers get the newsletter delivered directly to their e-mail inbox.

There is lots of great content in this latest update.

For example, check out the highlights from our latest council meeting. Included in the highlights are details about Terence Haight grant funding for 2024 and 2024 Community Improvement Program grant funding.

Congratulations to all our grant recipients. We are pleased to invest in such important work. We'll provide further details about these grants in the weeks ahead. Watch our website and social media channels.

Details about upcoming special events are also in the council highlights. As you'll see, we've got some great things set to happen in Gravenhurst. In addition to being fun and entertaining, these events bring visitors to our community and support our local economy. We are certainly happy to be a destination for people.

One of our community's most popular spots is Gull Lake Rotary Park and I am excited to share that the new tiered seating project for the park is moving ahead. See the related release in our e-newsletter to learn more. On behalf of council, I want to commend the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst for spearheading the project. Additionally, I want to thank all the generous donors. We are truly fortunate to live in such a giving community.

The newsletter also contains details about the District of Muskoka's Community Energy and Emissions Reduction Plan (CEERP). The plan was introduced at the district's Community and Planning Services Committee on March 21. As you'll read, the plan outlines actions to achieve Muskoka's goals for greenhouse gas reduction. We are excited to be part of this important work.

We had terrific March Break programs for local youth, and I want to thank everyone who made this possible. Included in the newsletter is a link to some photos of our Improv Camp at the Gravenhurst Opera House. Be sure to check out these photos - the kids did a fantastic job learning about improv and really showed their creativity on stage.

I look forward to updating you again next month.

Until then, please take care.

Heidi Lorenz,

Mayor. 

Lots of Socks

Following the March 26 Planning Council meeting, council members showed off their brightly coloured socks in support of World Down Syndrome Day, which was March 21. The Lots of Socks campaign helps raise awareness of Down syndrome.

Gravenhurst Improv

Our March Break Improv Camp was a fun activity for Gravenhurst youth. Held at the Gravenhurst Opera House over two days, youth learned about the fundamentals of improv. Thanks to improv coach Robin Clipsham for providing a great experience. Check out our related photos.

Happy Birthday

Congratulations to well-known and much-loved town crossing guard Joe Richard on his 80th birthday! Richard is a familiar face on James Street, where he helps students from Gravenhurst Public School and Gravenhurst High School safely cross the road during school hours. On Wednesday, March 20, Councillor Randy Jorgensen and Councillor Christina Hunter joined parents, children, and school officials to extend best wishes to the birthday boy.

Welcome

On Wednesday, March 20, Deputy Mayor Randy Jorgensen and members of council were on site to officially welcome Christine's Place to downtown Gravenhurst. Christine's Place helps women and their partners explore all pregnancy options. Learn more about the organization.

Congratulations

Deidre Sullivan, records and information coordinator for the Town of Gravenhurst, recently completed the Municipal Administration Program (MAP) through the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario. Councillor Randy Jorgensen and Director of Legislative Services Kayla Thibeault formally congratulated Sullivan on her accomplishment on Tuesday, March 19. MAP is a certificate program that consists of four courses. Throughout the program, individuals acquire skills that are essential to working effectively in the municipal sector. Way to go, Deidre! Learn more about MAP.

Gravenhurst Council Highlights - March 19, 2024

Learn what happened at the latest meeting.

Planning Council - March 26, 2024

Planning Council met March 26.

Click the above image to watch the meeting and learn what happened.

See a problem? Let us know

If you see playground equipment or other forms of town infrastructure needing repair, please let us know so we can take the proper steps to address the issue.

Join our team!

We are hiring for a variety of positions.

Visit our website to learn more about these opportunities.

Animal Services

The Town of Gravenhurst is a pet-friendly community.

Our Animal Services team works to ensure the safety of people and pets in Gravenhurst.

For information about dog licensing, animal control services, and more see our website.

Visit our website to learn more.

Community Calendar

Looking for something to do in Gravenhurst?

Make our website your first stop for information.

Visit our calendar for great ideas.

Recreation

We have a variety of recreation options available in Gravenhurst.

In some instances, these opportunities are offered through the town and in other cases they are provided by various organizations.

Visit our website to learn more.

Opera House

Stay in touch with the Gravenhurst Opera House.

Built in 1901, the opera house is a focal point for great entertainment.

Check out the opera house website to learn more about upcoming performances.

Visit the opera house website.

Gravenhurst Public Library

The Gravenhurst Public Library is a great spot to access reading material, movies, programs, entertainment, and so much more.

Located at 180 Sharpe St. W., the library is open Monday to Saturday.

For hours and more information, visit the library website.

Planning and building

Looking for planning and building information?

We are here to help.

Visit our website to learn about the town's official plan, zoning bylaw, building permits, and much more.

Visit our website.

Gravenhurst Fire Department

The Gravenhurst Fire Department provides fire protection services for the community.

Please call 9-1-1 if the department's assistance is required in an emergency.

Read a message from the chief.

Visit our website to learn more about the department.

Council contact

Members of council are your representatives.

They are elected to a four-year council term.

Visit our website to learn more about council members and how you can reach them.

Meeting agenda information

Find meeting agendas at Gravenhurst.ca.

Visit our website to learn more.

You can also subscribe to receive notice when new agendas are available for review.

Subscribe to agendas.

Watch our meetings online

Did you know our council meetings are available on our YouTube channel?

By watching the meetings, you can hear council and staff discussion on a variety of topics and stay better informed about municipal business.

Visit our YouTube channel.

District of Muskoka

The District of Muskoka provides important services to our community.

Governing the district is a 23-member council.

To learn more about the district and what it does visit the district website. 

Ontario Provincial Police

Policing in Gravenhurst is provided by the Ontario Provincial Police.

If you require police assistance for an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

For non-emergency matters, call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Minor non-emergency matters can also be reported through the OPP website.

211 Ontario

211 Ontario is a free service that connects people to a variety of resources.

To reach 211 Ontario, simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone. 211 is also available by text and e-mail.

Learn more by visiting the 211 website.