City celebrates ‘Old Lock One Commons’ official naming with permanent sign unveiling

Mayor Mat Siscoe, Deputy Mayor Bill Phillips, Port Dalhousie Councillors Bruce Williamson and Marty Mako, and supporters including Kiwanis Club of St. Catharines members cut the ribbon on the 'Old Lock One Commons' permanent sign unveiled at the outdoor community and event space after residents were invited to provide naming suggestions for the space.

Name recognizes area’s rich history and role as community gathering place

On June 9, the City celebrated the official naming of the outdoor public space in Port Dalhousie with a ribbon cutting and the unveiling of the permanent ‘Old Lock One Commons’ sign.

Old Lock One Commons permanent metal sign

Last December, City Council voted to endorse the City staff-recommended name following its direction in November 2024 that staff undertake a formal naming process for the outdoor community gathering and event space that serves as a venue for outdoor concerts, community events, and public gatherings.

In May 2025, the City launched the “Name This Space!” public engagement campaign on its engagestc.ca platform inviting residents’ naming suggestions for the public space near Lakeport Rd., in the Port Dalhousie Commercial Core and Harbour Area Heritage Conservation District.

The City received more than 200 names for the space, including ‘Old Lock One Commons,’ or variations of it. Ultimately, ‘Old Lock One Commons’ won the popular vote during a second round of public engagement, with 96 votes, and City staff recommended the name to Council.

Mayor speaks during Old Lock One Commons naming ribbon cutting and permanent sign unveiling

We are excited to recognize both the area’s rich history and its ongoing role as a gathering place for residents and visitors through the name, ‘Old Lock One Commons.’

Old Lock One Commons stage and seating area

The outdoor event space once served as Lock 1 for the second Welland Canal, which operated from 1835 to 1945. The lock’s stone walls are still visible today and are a focal point of the stage and seating area constructed in 2018 with efforts from Kiwanis Club of St. Catharines, National Trust for Canada, Port Dalhousie Beautification and Works Committee, Rankin Construction Inc., and various private donors.

An overview photo of the Old Lock One Commons area with the Mayor speaking during the naming ribbon cutting and official sign unveiling

By the Numbers

45 Lakeport Rd., Port Dalhousie
May 2025: public naming engagement campaign launched
200-plus naming suggestions submitted by residents
96 votes for the winning name
December 2025: Council approval of the name
1835 to 1945: years of operation of the second Welland Canal
2018: construction of the current stage and seating area