What’s Open & Closed in Owen Sound this Holiday Season

It’s nearly time for the winter holidays and the City is reminding everyone of facility closures, modified hours, and alternate programming. Here is all you need to know to plan ahead so you can spend quality time with family and friends.  

City Hall:

Closed Tuesday, December 24 at 12 p.m. through to Wednesday, January 1. Regular hours of operation resume at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 2.

Public Works:

The administrative building will close at noon on Tuesday, December 24, through Wednesday, January 1. Regular hours of operation resume at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 2.  Winter Maintenance continues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Transit:

The Transit Terminal will be closed on Wednesday, December 25.  It will be open on Thursday, December 26, and Wednesday, January 1, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Guelph Owen Sound Transit (GOST) will be closed on Wednesday, December 25 and will remain operating its regular schedule every other day.

Owen Sound Transit and Mobility Transit will not be running on Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26 or Wednesday, January 1.

Waste Management:

The Transfer Station will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26 and Wednesday, January 1.

2025 Waste Collection calendars are now available online or at City Hall, the Library and the Transit Terminal to pick up.

Compost Site/Natural Christmas Trees:

The Leaf & Yard Waste Compost Site is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Until Monday, January 13, residents of Owen Sound, Georgian Bluffs and the Municipality of Meaford can dispose of all natural Christmas trees at the compost site at 2450 28th Street East, free of charge.

Please make sure your tree can be composted properly by following our simple guidelines:

• Remove all ornaments, decorations, lights, and tinsel
• Do not leave your tree in a plastic bag or other material
• Trees sprayed with snow foam cannot be accepted

Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library:

Closed on Tuesday, December 24, Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26, Tuesday, December 31 and Wednesday, January 1. Open regular Library hours on all other days.

Tom Thomson Art Gallery:

Open Friday, December 27 and Saturday, December 28 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

The Gallery will return to regular public hours on Thursday, January 2 (regular hours include Wednesday to Saturday, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.).

Recreational Facilities:

The Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre will be closed from Tuesday, December 24 at 12 p.m. through Wednesday, December 25. It will also be closed beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 26 (open on the 27th) and closed on Saturday, December 28.  It will close early again at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 after the New Year’s Eve Family event. Regular business hours will resume on Thursday, January 2.

The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce is open on Tuesday, December 24, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, and Thursday, December 26. It will be open on Tuesday, December 31, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will host a New Year’s Family event from 12 – 4 p.m. that day. It will be open again on Wednesday, January 1, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Bayshore Community Centre will be closed from Tuesday, December 24 through to Friday, December 27.  It will also be closed beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31.  Regular business hours will resume on Thursday, January 2.

Owen Sound Police:

Police Services are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For non-emergencies, call 519-376-1234, and for emergencies, call 911.

Owen Sound Fire & Emergency Services:

Fire Services are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For non-emergencies, call 519-376-2512, and for emergencies, call 911.

By-law Enforcement:

The By-law department will be closed beginning Tuesday, December 24 at 12 p.m. through to Wednesday, January 1. Regular hours of operation resume at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2.  

Complaints or questions can always be submitted online, anytime.  For urgent after-hour complaints related to noise, nuisance, or parking, please contact Owen Sound Police.

City service information is available online 24/7 at OwenSound.ca.  The City of Owen Sound wishes everyone a safe and healthy holiday season.

For more information, please contact Tim Simmonds, City Manager at 519-376-4440 ext. 1210 or email tsimmonds@owensound.ca

Quick Facts:

• All 24-hour services, such as winter maintenance, Owen Sound Fire & Emergency Services and Owen Sound Police Services, remain uninterrupted over the holidays.
• City service information is available online 24/7 at OwenSound.ca.
• For local road closures, construction or traffic disruptions, visit OwenSound.ca/Construction, which shows active Municipal 511 listings
• 211 Social and Community Supports remain available in non-emergency situations (dial or text 2-1-1 from a phone for support).

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