General City News

The City of Owen Sound has completed the annual fire hydrant flushing program.  Thank you to all residents for their patience while this program took place.  Yearly fire hydrant flushing ensures they are operational and improves water quality.

The City of Owen Sound is set to host an in-person Community Open House on Thursday, November 7, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bayshore Community Centre.  This event is a come-and-go evening that offers residents a unique opportunity to engage directly with city staff and learn about the essential services that impact their daily lives and share your ideas about our services with Staff.

The 2025 Home and Cottage Expo will be held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and JD McArthur Arena on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Business registration is now open for the Expo, which is a collaborative partnership between the City of Owen Sound, the Knights of Columbus, and the Grey Bruce Home Builders Association. 

The last Household Hazardous Waste Day event is taking place this Saturday, October 19! The event will be held at the Public Works Facility (1900 20th Street East) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Owen Sound Wastewatchers will be volunteering at the event this Saturday to collect old dry cigarette butts (cigars, too), lighters, cartons, foil, vapes and plastic lids, as well as provide information on proper disposal. If you’re bringing these items, please ensure they are in a sealed container, separate from other hazardous waste, and easily accessible. Volunteers will collect them before staff begin unloading your vehicle.

Owen Sound residents interested in helping shape the decisions affecting their city are encouraged to consider volunteering as a member of a City Committee!

City Council invites persons wishing to serve as a member of a committee to submit an application to the Deputy Clerk. 

Just over a year after the tragic passing of Sharif Rahman, the local business owner and YMCA board member will have an oak tree planted in his honour outside the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre.

In January 2023, Owen Sound residents and visitors joined together to celebrate the game of hockey when Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada blanketed the city with all things hockey. Being a true hockey community, several partners have come together, supported by the City of Owen Sound, to keep annual celebrations going, with HockeyFest 2024 planned for Thursday, November 14, to Saturday, November 16.

HockeyFest is a partnership between Owen Sound Girls Hockey, local elementary and high schools, and the City of Owen Sound with the support of the University of Waterloo Warriors, who compete within Ontario University Athletics.

On October 23, Jay Pitter Placemaking and the City of Owen Sound will host an Inclusive and Creative Community Engagement professional development workshop for community stakeholders at the Bayshore Community Centre from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

As previously announced, the City of Owen Sound has engaged Jay Pitter Placemaking to lead the Future Owen Sound —Vision 2050, which is responding to multiple rapid changes within and beyond the city. 

Register for the (free) Inclusive and Creative Community Engagement Workshop here.

The City of Owen Sound will be closing 10th Street East to through traffic from 11th Avenue East to 16th Avenue East between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2024, for tree removal.

This month, the Draft Operating Budget is being shared at Committee Meetings as part of the budget-building process on the following dates:

• Corporate Services Committee, including Fire Protection Services, on Thursday, October 10, at 5:30 p.m.
• Community Services Committee on Wednesday, October 16, at 5:30 p.m. 
• Operations Committee on Thursday, October 17, at 5:30 p.m.
• Police Services Budget Review with Council on Monday, October 21