News

Sunset Beach closing Sept. 2 for $6.9-million upgrade

Work to bring the Sunset Beach Community Vision to fruition is set to begin next week.

The Sunset Beach property will close to the public on Sept. 2, 2025, as it becomes an active construction site for the $6.9-million Sunset Beach Renovation Project. Guided by the 2019 vision study, conducted with extensive community engagement, and supported by a $4.4-million provincial grant, the project will modernize the park’s aging facilities – while preserving its unique character and natural assets,...

Special event parking in effect this weekend in Downtown St. Catharines

The City of St. Catharines will implement special event parking rates this weekend to manage increased demand during the Somekinda Festival and other downtown activities.

Special event parking will cost $20 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30 and Sunday, Aug. 31 at the following City-operated lots and garages:

• Ontario Street Parking Garage
• Garden Park / Carlisle Street Garage
• Garden Park Lot
• Race Street Lot
• Head Street Lot
• David S. Howes Way Lot
• Market Square Lot (City Hall)
• St. Paul Street /...

Activities and City Closures for Labour Day 2025

What’s happening in St. Catharines over Labour Day weekend

Labour Day is Monday, Sept. 1, and there are still plenty of activities residents of St. Catharines can enjoy throughout the city during the last long weekend of summer.

Lion Dunc Schooley Pool

While the outdoor pools at Port Dalhousie and Lincoln Park have closed, you can still make a splash one more time at Lion Dunc Schooley Pool in Merritton. The pool remains open this week and through the weekend, before closing for the season on...

City lifts open-air burning ban

The City of St. Catharines is lifting its ban on open-air burning in effect since August 11, 2025.

Burn permits for agricultural fires, fireworks and other types of non-agricultural fires, such as for destroying infested trees, community cookouts and specific festivals, may resume with open-air burning that meets the regulations and requirements set out by St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services. 

The City’s fire ban was in place for two weeks because of an increased risk for fire to spread due...

City delegation returns after critical talks at 2025 AMO Conference

This week, the Mayor, City Councillors, and senior City staff attended the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa, Ont. The conference provided a crucial platform for City officials to meet with provincial leaders and advocate for St. Catharines’ strategic priorities.

The conference opened on Sunday, Aug. 17 and ran until Wednesday, Aug. 20.

The City’s delegation included Mayor Mat Siscoe, City Councillors Robin McPherson, Caleb Ratzlaff, Dawn Dodge, Bill Phillips,...