The Upside (May 2024)
Let's focus on good things happening in and around Waterloo Region
The warmer weather as of late seems to be encouraging more folks to head outdoors - which is great! If you haven’t yet, you may want to take a ride on some of the newer cycling infrastructure found throughout the Region. Michael Druker shares a short video highlighting the new cycle lanes on Highland West.
Speaking of bikes, Cambridge’s Hespeler Village Neighbourhood Association (HVNA), in partnership with Jacob Hespeler Secondary School, is “working to provide refurbished, used bicycles to members of the community who may need one.” Those who don't already have a bicycle, or know someone who doesn't, can fill out an online survey to be added to the list. The HVNA will contact individuals if a bike can be found that suits their needs.
And, just one more bike-related update. Red Raccoon Bike Rescue provides free bike repairs, free kid's bikes, sliding scale adult bikes, and free learn to repair and learn to ride for adults and kids. In order to keep their services affordable/free, they are hosting a fundraiser on June 9th with includes performances by Haley Sheppard, Ayesha Ahad, Sam Nabi, Magnatech, and Kumary Chiquinquira. Get your tickets here.
A recent update from Land Back Camp announces their excitement to show off their new website. The new site allows you to easily find out more about the Willow River Centre, upcoming events, projects they are working on, and more! Check it out here: landbackcamp.com
The Region of Waterloo recently announced that visitors to Regional Headquarters (150 Frederick St) will now be greeted (visually) in 15 Indigenous languages. “They represent Indigenous languages in Waterloo Region, and languages currently spoken by Indigenous communities.”
The Region of Waterloo serves an area within the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, Chonnonton and Haudenosaunee peoples. This territory is within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum.
Beyond Housing (formerly MennoHomes), shared in their Spring newsletter that construction on the Sprucelawn Apartments for Seniors, now totaling 58 apartments, is complete! At Sprucelawn, “rents start at $506/month with an overall average for the entire building at $744.42. That’s 55.3% of the CMHC 2023 average.” Fundraising efforts continue so if you’re interested and able to support this affordable housing project, call 226-476-2535 or email sprucelawn@beyondhousing.ca
In other housing news, a recent WR Record article highlighted a new Kitchener high-rise as the first high efficiency all-electric condo in the region. The Bright Building is “one of the first, if not the first, high-efficiency, all-electric multi-residential buildings in Ontario. No natural gas or other fossil fuels are used to heat or cool, or for heating water in its 228 units.”
The article states, “among the benefits of the building’s design: the lack of a common boiler and piping throughout mean less complex infrastructure and likely fewer big repair fees.”
We’ll conclude today’s Upside with this doggo who demonstrates that bigger isn’t always better. Enjoy!
This is a great local newsletter find. Thanks for sharing good news!
Thanks for the update Melissa 🙂