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…?
Here are the Christmas Week Holiday Hours For:
- City of Guelph
- Guelph Public Library
- Various public buildings on the University of Guelph campus
- Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
- The Guelph Humane Society
- Wellington County
City of Guelph Hiring For Summer Jobs!
It may be Christmas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t think about what you’re going to do this summer job-wise. The City of Guelph is now accepting applications for customer service positions, aquatics programmers and deck supervisors, camp counsellors and general labourers for the Summer of 2024. Visit guelph.ca/careers to apply, you have until February 4 to get your resume together!
Sign Up for Trees for Tots!
Christmas is still a couple of days away, but are you thinking about what to do with your tree once it’s over? The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington is once again taking reservations for their annual Trees for Tots fundraiser. Trees for Tots is a tree collection service for Guelph, Puslinch, and Rockwood where, for a suggested minimum contribution of $15, you can register your tree to be collected by volunteers. Trees are collected, chipped, and returned to nature through walking trails, and other community projects.
You can sign up for Trees for Tots, click here. The deadline to sign up is Tuesday January 9 and pick-up day is Saturday January 13.
GRCA Moves Watershed to Level 1 Low Water Condition
The Grand River Low Water Response Team met virtually on Tuesday and decided to place the entire watershed at Low Water Level 1 under the Ontario Low Water Program. Level 1, which is an “early indication of a potential drought condition”, asks for a voluntary 10 per cent reduction in water consumption by all water users, including municipalities, aggregate operations, golf courses, water bottlers, farms for irrigation and private users. The blame for low water levels presently goes to El Niño, as it’s helped create higher than normal temperatures through fall and will continue to do so through the winter along with blow normal precipitation.
United Way Asking for Last Minute Donations
The United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin is reporting that the applications for funding they’ve received is more than double what is projected to be available to distribute. To respond to the increased need, donations made through the rest of December will be matched, dollar for dollar, by a matching fund of over $24,000 made possible by the United Way’s Board of Directors.
“We know better is possible. A donation to United Way makes it possible to support a number of critical issues – poverty, mental health, homelessness, isolation, and hunger,” said Ray Stultz, United Way Campaign Chair in a statement. “Each contribution and action will make a difference and fuel community change. Let’s help each other live better lives. Because what’s better for you is better for everyone.”
If you would like to make a donation to the United Way, and your office or workplace doesn’t currently have a campaign of their own, you can donate through the United Way office by phone at 519-821-0571 or through the website.
Ward to Downtown Bridge on Pause
The City of Guelph announced this week that they were pausing the Ward to Downtown bridge project due to “unforeseen challenges”; the construction contract for the project has been cancelled.
“Unanticipated complexities were identified in the early stage of this phase of the project and the City has made the decision to cancel the construction contract in order to assess identified challenges and avoid further delays and increased costs on the project,” read the notice on the City’s website. “The City is in the process of evaluating next steps and will share more information on the future status of this initiative to enhance connectivity to the downtown core in the coming months.”
Additional Notes
Canadian Blood Services says that more than 31,000 blood and plasma donors are needed across Canada before January 7 to ensure patients in hospitals have the life essentials they depend on. To book blood or plasma donation appointment you can visit their website, download the GiveBlood app, or call 1-888-2DONATE (1-888-236-6283). Same day appointments are often available.
Changes to some City rates and fees go into effect New Year’s Day. Learn more here.
Grade 9 course selection for Grade 8 students in the Upper Grand District School Board begins in January.
The initial line-up of Hillside Inside in February has been announced.
Alectra’s Southgate office building in Guelph has been given Zero Carbon Building certification from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), the first retrofit project in Guelph to receive this certification.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum will be hosting a virtual information night about the impacts of vaping on youth on Wednesday January 24 at 7 pm. You can register to attended here and submit questions in advanced using this form.
The County of Wellington Council will have special meeting for the 2024 budget and ten-year plan on Monday January 8 at 9 am at the council chambers in the administration centre.
Current “Have Your Say” Opportunities:
Guelph’s Bicentennial.
Transit News & Detours
Guelph Transit will be running on-demand holiday service on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and Sunday service hours on Boxing Day. The service will operate as scheduled otherwise.
REMINDER #1: Guelph Transit will be running free service after 7 pm this New Year’s Eve.
REMINDER #2: There will be changes to the #5 Goodwin beginning on January 7.
GO Transit will be running free service on all lines, plus a variety of special trains operating from Union Station, including the Kitchener line, after midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Metrolinx has announced a number of changes to their regular service in January, some of which affect trips to and from Guelph.
New and Upcoming Construction
York Road has now been *temporarily* re-opened to traffic.
And yet, Communications and Cabling Contractors will be installing underground conduit and fibre optic cable along the south side of York Road between Watson Parkway and Industrial for seven weeks starting on Tuesday January 2. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times.
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