Accumulated news pieces which may include local councils, MAHC, OPP, and more.

Bracebridge Library Starts Life at new community centre

Just over three months after leaving its long-time home on Manitoba St., the Coulson Family
Bracebridge Library inside the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre is ready to open its doors to the public.

The new library space features 23,000 square feet (almost triple the size of its old location) and several new activities to go along with the new digs.

The new features include a recording studio, a makerspace with a 3D printer and laser printer
among the other tools, a dedicated local history room, multiple spaces available to be booked by the public, and plenty of space for everyone who steps foot in the library to relax.

An opening day celebration will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8 with activities for kids and
tours of the new space throughout the day.

Children’s programming will include a scavenger hunt that will take participants through the
expanded youth area, drop-in stories during the day and crafts after school, along with
decorative leaves for children to write their names on to be temporarily displayed.

United Way and Local Car Dealers host Thanksgiving Food Drive

United Way Simcoe Muskoka is partnering with the Performance Auto Group for their Thanksgiving food drive, which runs until October 10.

They are accepting donations of non-perishable items or cash donations at one of three car dealerships: Huntsville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram,  Hyundai of Muskoka, and Huntsville Honda.

It is estimated that one-in-three households in Muskoka experience household food insecurity, highlighting the need for community support and collaboration.

All gifts of non-perishable food will be donated to the Table Soup Kitchen Foundation in Huntsville. Monetary donations will go towards micro-grants for low-income households issued by the United Way in partnership with the District of Muskoka through its Urgent Needs Fund.

Donations can also be made online at https://uwsimcoemuskoka.ca/give/.

Muskoka Lakes Wants Public Input

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is asking residents to share their feelings about the service levels throughout the municipality as part of a provincially legislated process.

The Township is required by legislation to identify proposed levels of service for all municipal infrastructure assets and develop a strategy to fund these activities by July 1, 2025.

The term “levels of service” refers to set parameters to describe the extent and quality of services that the Township provides to users.

Levels of service link an asset’s performance to target performance goals. Township assets include fire stations and equipment, recreation and sports facilities, community centers, technology such as internet connectivity and the Township’s website, administration buildings, and roads, bridges and sidewalks.

With public feedback and information, the Township can document current levels of service, identify gaps where more service is needed, identify actions and estimated costs to improve service levels, and more. It is anticipated that a final draft of the Asset Management Levels of Service Study will be presented to the General Finance Committee in early 2025.     

Those interested in helping provide feedback on service levels, should visit Engage Muskoka Lakes.  

30-year Solid Waste Master Plan at District

With an eye towards achieving ambitious waste reduction targets, the District of Muskoka is setting up a 30-year Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP).

These ambitious targets including reducing garbage generation by 10 per cent by 2030 and by 25 per cent by 2050. As well, they are aiming to divert 60 per cent of all solid waste from landfills by 2030, and 80 per cent by 2050.

How they will achieve these lofty goals remains to be seen, but it starts with creating a plan that includes ways to improve the way waste is managed throughout the region.

One item the District is adamant about is engaging the public as part of the process to help streamline initiatives, and having residents (both full time and part time) be at the forefront of meeting their targets.

According to their Engage Muskoka page about the SWMP, the District wants to see “each person’s efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle contribute to a cleaner, healthier Muskoka . . . Let’s make sustainable waste practices a community-wide priority and ensure a more sustainable future for Muskoka.”

The 30-year plan will consider the expanding population and subsequent increase in the needs of the community and attempt to address future waste challenges while protecting Muskoka’s natural resources and environment. Meanwhile, the District has indicated the plan will have to include financial and operational sustainability each step of the way.

For more information on the SWMP and public engagement opportunities (including a survey to fill out) visit www.engagemuskoka.ca/solid-waste-master-plan.

Bracebridge Fire Prevention Week On the Horizon

From October 6 to 12, Bracebridge Fire and the Town of Bracebridge recognize Fire Prevention Week to help educate the community on fire safety and preparedness. This year’s theme, as announced by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” and strives to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home.

Key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines to remember include to: install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of your home; test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button; test all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested; and make sure the smoke alarms in your home meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

The Fire Prevention Team will be at the Muskoka Bears Junior C hockey game on Sunday, October 12 providing information and some giveaways.

To learn more about fire prevention, visit bracebridge.ca/FPW and follow them on X (formerly Twitter) at @bracebridgefire.

Gravenhurst Hosting Public Meeting on Development Charges

The Town of Gravenhurst will hold a public meeting pursuant to The Development Charges Act, 1997 on Wednesday, October 23 at 3 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

The public meeting is in regard to proposed changes to development charge rates and policies that will be applied throughout the Town. It is proposed that enactment of a development charges by-law by Council would occur on a date subsequent to the public meeting.

Development charges are levied against new development, and are a primary source of funding for growth-related capital expenditures.  

A copy of the 2024 Development Charges Background Study is available for review and a . A copy of the development charges by-law will be made available on Town’s website on or before Wednesday, October 9.

Zoning By-Law Review in Muskoka Lakes

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is pleased to announce it has commenced a review of Comprehensive Zoning By-Law 2014-14 for the purpose of implementing its recently updated Official Plan as well as other applicable policy documents.

In accordance with the Planning Act, the Township is required to review and amend its Comprehensive Zoning By-law within three years of an updated Official Plan coming into effect. The District of Muskoka approved the Township’s new Official Plan on November 20, 2023.

Meridian Planning Consultants Inc. and The Planning Partnership are providing professional services to the Township to assist in preparing the update. A Project Steering Committee has been established and will provide initial feedback and guidance to the Township’s Planning Committee. Final approval of the updated Comprehensive Zoning By-law will be by Township Council.

To stay up to date on this project, please visit Engage Muskoka Lakes and subscribe to the project page to receive updates, including future public engagement opportunities.

Road Closures Along Ravenscliffe

There are multiple road closures along Ravenscliffe Road occurring in October.

Ravenscliffe Road at #2016 will be closed from October 3 to 11, 2024, for excavation, re-compacting with new granulars and repaving road. 

From North Fox Lake Road to #3839 Ravenscliffe Road will be closed from October 4 to 18, 2024, to pulverize existing roads, adding granulars and repaving road.

Ravenscliffe Road at Hoodstown Road Intersection will be closed October 7 to 18, 2024, for removal of existing asphalt, re-grading and re-paving.

No detour is required expect delays of 5-10 minutes. For a detailed road closure map and information, visit: huntsville.ca.

Celebration for Honour Roll’s New Home

The Royal Canadian Legion Huntsville Branch 232 and Town of Huntsville invite the community to join together in celebrating the Huntsville Honour Roll’s new home at the Canada Summit Centre.

The Honour Roll commemorates those from Huntsville who served in the Armed Forces during the Second World War. The list came directly from Ottawa and includes the names of 400 men and women, approximately 15 per cent of the population of Huntsville at the time (which was 2,700 residents based on the most recent Census data). 

Alf Harper was commissioned in 1945 to build a special display case to house the Honour Roll. The solid oak frame is five feet tall, 13 feet long, and weighs approximately 200 lbs.

The Honour Roll was hung in the Huntsville Post Office in November 1947, which was located in the Huntsville Civic Centre at the time. It was moved to the Centre Street entrance of the new Huntsville Post Office in 1955, and featured prominently until the front entrance was moved to Main Street.

On October 9, 2024, we will celebrate the Honour Roll in its new home at the Canada Summit Centre, 20 Park Drive, Huntsville, ON, where it will once again be on public display in memory of our veterans. Everyone is welcome! Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with official proceedings starting at 7 p.m.