The City of Guelph, and it’s various partners and agencies, put out a lot of information on a weekly basis, and while it all ends up on the City’s website somewhere, wouldn’t it be easier to just scroll through it all on one easy-to-read article on Guelph Politico here…?

Schools Boards Sign On to New Threat Risk Protocol

The Upper Grand District School Board and the Wellington Catholic District School Board along with 16 other community partners signed the latest Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Community Protocol Thursday in Minto. The VTRA Protocol is intended to be used by multi-disciplinary teams trained in the theory and practice of trauma informed threat-risk assessment through VTRA Assessment training. This collaborative goal is to reduce violence, manage threats of violence and promote individual, school and community safety by proactively gathering information, understanding needs and mitigating risk with a caring wrap-around approach.

Other community groups that signed up for the protocol include the Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington, Guelph Police Services, Wellington and Dufferin OPP, Guelph Wellington Women in Crisis, John Howard Society of Waterloo-Wellington, and Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County.

“We are so grateful for the collaborative relationships we have with each of the community partners that are signatories to the VTRA Protocol,” said UDGSB Executive Superintendent of School Operations and Student Support Services, Brent McDonald in a media release. “Seeing everyone all together in the same room with the common focus of keeping our communities safe was a clear demonstration of the strength of this proven, multi-disciplinary and trauma-informed approach.”

10 Food Growth Projects Get Funding

Ten projects in Guelph and Wellington have received $2,000 each to promote better access to food during the upcoming 2023 growing season using circular principles. Co-sponsored by Our Food Future in partnership with Harvest Impact by 10C, the Community Agriculture Challenge urges applicants to consider how local businesses, not-for-profits or individual community members can apply circular principles and community agricultural practices to improve access to nutritious food in Guelph-Wellington.

“These projects demonstrate circular principles and help address food security by providing access to affordable and healthy foods while building community through knowledge sharing and education,” said Ashlee Cooper, manager of Food Equity and Community Resiliency with the City of Guelph’s Smart Cities office, in a media statement.

The approved projects include community gardens in St. George’s Park and Brock Road, plus a a new compost system from the Junction Neighbourhood Group, the selling locally grown ethnocultural food from Agape Farms, and a farm kitchen at Everdale.

Doors Open After Dark Releases Line-Up

Bagpipes and drumming, a drone demonstration, elevator theatre, and Guelph stories with Jay Wilson are among the the activities you will be able to due at this year’s Doors Open After Dark event at the Guelph Civic Museum on Friday April 28. The festivities will officially begin in the daylight at 5 pm, and then Annie Sumi will put on a sold-out Fourth Friday performance at 7 pm. The party mostly start at 8:45 pm with the performances, pop-up art experiences, history installations before winding down at 12:30 am with free cake.

You can see the full line-up here. Doors Open Guelph will take place the next day on Saturday April 29 from 10 am to 4 pm. Doors Open sites include Guelph Water Works, the Sikh Society Gurdwara, the Muslim Society Mosque, Sleeman Breweries, Spring Mill Distillery, the Petrie Building, and Locomotive 6167 and Guelph Historical Railway Association Caboose. Learn more here.

Bertuzzi to Speak at Sports Hall of Fame Dinner

Former Guelph Storm player and NHL forward Todd Bertuzzi will appear at the annual Guelph Sports Hall of Fame dinner on Wednesday May 17 at the Italian Canadian Club. In 18 NHL seasons, Bertuzzi played for the Islanders, Canucks, Panthers, Red Wings, Ducks and Flames, but it all started in 1991 when he was drafted to the Guelph Storm for their inaugural season, and the man who drafted Bertuzzi is one of this year’s inductees, the Storm’s first general manager, Mike Kelly.

“Mike played a huge part in getting my junior hockey career started when he drafted me to the Storm,” said Bertuzzi, “He was a role model for myself and hundreds of players he drafted over the years into the OHL.”

Baseball player and coach Dave Vallance, long-distance runner Elizabeth Waywell, swimmer and former Olympian Kevin Auger, and former team owner and president of the Guelph Biltmore Madhatters Evan Brill are the other inductees in the 2023 Hall of Fame class.

Strategic Planning Sessions at Wellington Council

Two dates have been announced for Wellington County’s Strategic Action Plan sessions. The first session will be held on April 27 starting at 1 pm in the Council Chambers at the County Administration Centre on Woolwich Street. The second session will be held on May 24 starting at 8:30 am but that location is to be determined.

Additional Notes

The City of Guelph will be showcasing the new Guelph Greener Homes program at the Rotary Club Earth Day festivities at 335 Laird Road today.

Emma Rogers is stepping down as the CEO of the Children’s Foundation of Guelph Wellington. Suzanne Bone has been appointed the interim CEO by the board.

National Library Outreach Day is Wednesday April 26.

The Guelph Works Epic Job Fair takes place at the Delta Hotel Guelph Conference Centre on Wednesday May 10 from 1-5:30 pm.

The first in-person Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers conference since 2019 will take place in Guelph this coming June.

The University of Guelph through the Upper Grand District School Board is looking for parents and guardians with elementary school aged kids to take part in a survey designed to help young people find their strengths.

If you live in Wellington County, you might be getting a call from Ipsos as party of the first ever Corporate Satisfaction Survey.

Transit Detours

Due to construction on transit platform #4 at the University Centre, the #1 Edinburgh College bus can be found at platform #8 until August 25.

Both the #3 Westmount and the #20 Northwest Industrial will be detoured from April 23 to May 12 due to construction work that closes the intersection at Suffolk and Yorkshire

New and Upcoming Construction

Woolwich Street will be closed between Baker and Cardigan for three weeks starting on April 23 for the installation of new sanitary sewers to support the Baker District Redevelopment.

There will lane reductions on Rickson Avenue at Hickory Street for five days starting on April 25 to install a new pedestrian crossing.

There will lane reductions on Colonial Drive between Brock and Lough for five days starting on April 25 to install a new pedestrian crossing.

The City will be making upgrades to Victoria Road South near Clair Road starting May 1 including a new turning lane and a multiuse path. The work is expected to take six weeks to complete.

The City will be installing a wildlife crossing under Maltby Road East starting on May 1. Access to Maltby between Gordon and Victoria will be closed off all month long.

The intersection at Suffolk and Yorkshire will be closed for two weeks starting on May 1 to replace hydro polls.