Local News and Views (May 2025)
An overview of local news and other happenings in and around Waterloo Region
Well, I may love this a little too much, but check out the detail on this Lego-version of a GRT bus. I mean, it even has a bike rack and custom stickers to ensure it looks just like the real thing!
In Cambridge, James Dick Construction has applied for a 10-year water taking permit that's "anticipated to have the highest potential of causing unacceptable environmental impacts," says the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. The company wants to extract nearly 15 million litres of water per day for half a year, for up to 10 years.
“So far only the Grand River Conservation Authority expressed concern about the permit, urging due diligence on an investigation into impacts on neighbouring wells. Wells in the area are used to supply municipal drinking water to the City of Guelph and the Region of Waterloo.”
Both Kitchener and Waterloo councils have voted to ban the sale of fireworks starting next year. This year will see restrictions on the times fireworks can be set off, and increased fines for people who disobey the rules. “Fines for fireworks-related infractions will rise from the current range of $300 to $400 to new fines between $1,000 and $1,500.”
Last year, with 4 speed cameras operating at rotating locations, the Region of Waterloo saw more than 37,000 speeding tickets issued through the municipal speed camera (MSC) program in school zones to deter speeders. “The program is currently in an expansion phase to enhance safety and reduce the risk of collisions in the areas surrounding schools. More cameras are being phased in over the next four years,” say Regional staff.
At this point, the program’s costs are more than the revenue brought in. However, once the program becomes revenue-positive, “all surplus revenue will be deposited into a Road Safety Reserve Fund and invested back into our communities for road safety initiatives across the region, such as roadway redesign, roundabout pilot programs, township traffic calming initiatives and more,” staff said.
A name has been decided on for the Waterloo Region District School Board’s newest elementary school - Willow River Public School! Willow River School, on Thomas Slee Drive in Kitchener will open this Fall. The K-8 school will also be home to a child care centre.
“The name Willow River Public School reflects the area’s deeply rooted natural and cultural connections to the Grand River watershed. O:se Kenhionhata:tie is the Mohawk name for the Grand River and means “Willow River,” referring to the many willow trees along the river.”
I know, I know, we just had an election and we all have election fatigue. However, it’s worth noting that municipal staff are already busy making plans for the next municipal election (in 2026) and Kitchener is looking to offer additional options on how you can vote. Those options include pilot programs for drive-thru voting during advance voting, and home voting on request.
Drive-thru voting could allow voters to drive, bike, walk or take transit to the voting location. Home voting would “see election officials bring a ballot to a voter’s home by appointment; it’s intended for people unable to vote using other methods because of illness, injury or disability.”
“Telephone and, more popularly, internet voting is offered by dozens of Ontario municipalities, including some in Waterloo Region, but the report said the use of digital technology in Ontario municipal elections remains largely unregulated,” and is therefore not recommend at this time.
Earlier this year, the Wilmot Civic Action Network (WilmotCAN) released their third video about the Region of Waterloo’s land assembly for the 770 acre industrial mega-site in rural Wilmot Township. “This video highlights how the site only meets 7 of 44 of the government’s own criteria, the massive infrastructure costs facing taxpayers to service such a remote site where no development has ever been contemplated, and the potential damage to the land and water supply that hundreds of thousands of people rely on.”
If you know how to “Spin your web and shoot it” or know “There are bubbles on the chair, there are bubbles in my hair, bubbles, bubbles, bubbles everywhere” than you may want to head over to Carl Zehr Square on June 8th to celebrate Erick Traplin Day. “This afternoon of fun will feature live entertainment, roaming performers, food trucks and family-friendly games and activities like face painting, a balloon artist, sidewalk chalk, inflatable games and more.”
Visit ErickTraplinDay.ca to learn more and submit your memory of Erick at EngageWR.ca/ErickTraplin.
Quick links:
“Preliminary construction by Metrolinx is underway to accommodate the Kitchener Centre Transit Hub and improved service on the Kitchener GO rail line.” From Cambridge Today.
Almost half of Waterloo Region District School Board schools fall below a “good state of repair,” according to the Financial Accountability Office. “The report notes that when a school falls below good repair, it will either require rehabilitation or should be replaced with a new school.”
Downtown Kitchener’s The Sports Link has found a new home in the old Towne Bowl on Ottawa St.
Ontario minimum wage earners will make $17.60 an hour, starting Oct. 1, up from the current $17.20. It’s worth noting that the Ontario Living Wage Network says $21.30 constitutes a living wage in Waterloo Region.
The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium will get a $4.5 million makeover this summer with improvements to the Rangers’ team facilities and a new restaurant.
Neuron’s signature orange e-bikes and e-scooters are once again out and about in the Region. Click to learn more about the Neuron bikes and scooters.
Cambridge’s new recreation centre, which will include a 10-lane pool, three FIBA-sized gymnasiums, a running track and fitness area, a branch of the Cambridge Public Library and a park, is on pace to open next year.
This feels like it may take a bit to get used to, although I can appreciate the consistent naming across various locations. “Grand River Hospital will be called WRHN @ Midtown, St. Mary’s Hospital will be known as WRHN @ Queen’s Boulevard, and Freeport Hospital will be called WRHN @ Chicopee” WRHN is pronounced ‘wren’.
Region of Waterloo Council has directed staff to limit next year’s tax levy increase to no more than five per cent for direct regional services.
In order to better reflect what they do and who they serve, The Aids Committee of Kitchener Waterloo and Area is now known as Thrive HIV Prevention & Support.
In Cambridge, a proposal for affordable housing is met with resistance from council over concerns about parking.
Upcoming events:
Bi-Giwen: Coming Home - Truth-Telling from the Sixties Scoop
City of Waterloo Museum, located at Conestoga Mall (near the food court)
Now until June 13, 2025, Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
An opportunity to learn more about civic engagement and public service? And it’s held at my local library? Well, you know I have already signed up and maybe you will too!
Civic Education and Engagement in Kitchener | Tuesday May 27 2025, 7:00PM at Central Library
Roller skating is back every Monday night in Downtown Kitchener!
The Cambridge Sculpture Garden is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Saturday June 7th with a day of free community events.
“The Cambridge Sculpture Garden is located on Grand Avenue South across from the Gaslight District. It is a charitable organization managed by volunteers who are committed to preserving an urban greenspace along the Grand River and providing free, accessible arts programming to the public.”
Looking for guest contributors for Citified:
I’m looking to include more perspectives in the Citified newsletter. This year, Lauren Weinberg has been busy staying on top of school board news for us. And, next week, I’ll share a guest post that focuses on the Region’s recent actions related to the encampment at 100 Victoria St.
I’d love to include even more voices in future posts. If you’d like to write a guest post for Citified, or contribute to a regular feature, please connect with me either in the comment section or by replying to this email. Briefly introduce yourself, indicate what you’d like to write about, and summarize how you would like to approach the story.
As always, thanks for reading!