Feds Invest $1.7 Million for West End Rec Centre Upgrades and Trails

Along with the usual morning swimmers, people hitting the workout room and patrons visiting the west end branch of the Guelph Public Library, there was a group of people at the West End Community Centre Wednesday for a political announcement. It was about money, about $1.7 million to be nearly precise, and the recipient was the HVAC system on the roof of the centre, and some wayfinding signs to be named later. Continue reading “Feds Invest $1.7 Million for West End Rec Centre Upgrades and Trails”

Pomp, Circumstance, and a 21 Gun Salute for the New King

Guelph. It’s right there in the name, the “Royal City.” So naturally, on the day that Charles III was crowned the new King of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, not to mention becoming Canada’s own head of state, Guelph would not be left out of the festivities. To mark the occasion they got out the big guns. Literally. And they also got out a full military parade to welcome the official start of a new royal’s reign. Continue reading “Pomp, Circumstance, and a 21 Gun Salute for the New King”

Conestoga Coming to Downtown by 2025 After Buying Co-operators Building

Conestoga College is making a $90 million bet on downtown Guelph, and in the process answering the great economic development conundrum for the next few years: What happens to the Co-operators’ building when they move to their new south end headquarters. Business and government dignitaries were drawn to City Hall today to hear the news, the culmination of years of planning and advocacy. Continue reading “Conestoga Coming to Downtown by 2025 After Buying Co-operators Building”

Guelphites Stand With Ukraine on First Anniversary of Russian Invasion

Although the war still rages in Ukraine, over 200 people came out to Guelph City Hall on a cold Friday night to send the message that we haven’t forgotten. Hopes and prayers were offered that there won’t be a similar vigil at the same time in 2024, but there was also gratitude for the outreach and support, and a special message from a Ukrainian woman who now lives in Guelph after escaping the war back home. Continue reading “Guelphites Stand With Ukraine on First Anniversary of Russian Invasion”

Guthrie Drops Gimmicks for Serious Talk at State of the City

Over 850 people made their way to the Delta Hotel on Stone Road for the annual winter ritual of hearing the mayor talk. The Chamber of Commerce’s State of the City event for 2023 had the usual aspirational statements and hopeful outlook about the future, but it also came with a warning about the tough times ahead and the need to work together as a community to meet the challenges were all familiar with by now. Continue reading “Guthrie Drops Gimmicks for Serious Talk at State of the City”

LIVE BLOG: Mayor’s State of the City for 2023

A lot has changed in the last 10 months since Mayor Cam Guthrie gave his last State of the City. There are a lot of challenges in front of us, but there’s only one question we want answered going into this year’s State of the City speech: What gimmick will Guthrie build his speech around this year? For the complete blow-by-blow of today’s speech, you can follow along on Twitter, or follow the tweets below. Continue reading “LIVE BLOG: Mayor’s State of the City for 2023”

GUELPH POLITICAST #358 – The State of the City, A Year Ago

Every year, the Mayor of Guelph is invited to an event called the State of the City where he or she gives a speech to the members of the Chamber of Commerce about the current issues facing Guelph and how city council plans on addressing them. It once was said that to understand the future, you have to look to the past, so what was on the mayor’s mind last year when he talked to the Chamber? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #358 – The State of the City, A Year Ago”

Advisory Committee Lays Out More Specific Plans for Downtown

It happened in the middle of the fall election campaign, but the new Strategic Advisory Group on downtown Guelph released a series of short to long-term goals that they hope to achieve to create a safer and more welcoming downtown core. The City of Guelph released a new update on Thursday saying that their aspirations have started to take shape with more formal directions, a “high-level, tactical roadmap to achieving the objectives” if you will. Continue reading “Advisory Committee Lays Out More Specific Plans for Downtown”

Opening Words: The Complete Text of Mayor Guthrie’s Inaugural Speech

Last night, the new Guelph city council gathered around the horseshoe and took their oath of offices, pledging to King Charles III that they will be the best council possible and make smart decisions. Newly re-minted Mayor Cam Guthrie then outlined some of the challenges that this new council will be facing including, but not limited to, division and surprises. Here’s the full text of the Mayor’s opening address… Continue reading “Opening Words: The Complete Text of Mayor Guthrie’s Inaugural Speech”

Emergency Council Meeting to Discuss Impact of Bill 23

You may have heard about the Government of Ontario’s Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. Literally introduced the day after the October 24 municipal election, the legislation proposes to change significant portions of municipal planning policy to, in theory, increase the development of housing units. With the first round of feedback about the legislation coming due, the new Guelph city council will assemble to have their say. Continue reading “Emergency Council Meeting to Discuss Impact of Bill 23”