Gravenhurst Council Highlights - March 18, 2025
District of Muskoka update
Jeff Lehman, chair of the District of Muskoka, made a presentation to council members.
Lehman provided an update on the work that has gone into implementing the district’s strategic plan.
Mayor Heidi Lorenz thanked the district chair for the update.
Spark Muskoka presentation
Sandra Holdsworth and Autumn Smith made a presentation to council about a new organization in Gravenhurst called Spark Muskoka.
Ignite Muskoka and TimberBeast Productions have partnered to become Spark Muskoka.
Ignite Gravenhurst has hosted seven events in the past, featuring more than 135 informative speakers, and TimberBeast is known for its entertaining shows.
Now rebranded as Spark Muskoka, the partners are offering a “new talk and performance series based on the stories of this place we call home.”
The organization has an event on April 27 at 2 p.m. at the Gravenhurst Opera House dubbed ‘The History of the Gravenhurst Opera House.’
This is a pay-as-you-can event with a suggested price of $20 each person.
The town is allowing the organization to use the opera house at no cost for the initial event.
This will help ensure a successful launch for Spark Muskoka.
During the Ignite Muskoka era, because the information series was held during the Gravenhurst Winter Carnival, the town partnered with the organization and also made the opera house space available at no cost.
Municipal Register of Heritage Properties updated
Council approved updates to the Municipal Register of Heritage Properties after receiving a related staff report.
The register identifies all properties designated through bylaw under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Properties not designated but deemed to have heritage value are also noted in the register.
The update to the register includes the removal of three properties which had previously been through the designation removal process, plus technical and clerical changes.
Fairview Drive storm sewer improvements and road rehabilitation going ahead
The Fairview Drive storm sewer improvement and road rehabilitation project will proceed.
Council members accepted a tender from Advance Excavating and General Contracting Ltd. at a cost of $540,810.88, excluding HST.
The company was the lowest compliant bidder for the project.
Council approved the capital improvements as part of the 2023-2024 budget.
Staff expect work will start in early July and finish in mid-November.
2024 annual investment report
Council received for information the 2024 Annual Investment Report.
The report, by Wayne Campbell, director of financial services, provides an overview of the town’s investments.
“Administration will continue to monitor the town’s investment portfolio and make the necessary management decisions … to ensure that the mix of investment meets the goals of preservation of capital, maintenance of liquidity while still receiving competitive returns on investment,” Campbell wrote in the report.
Town asking province to cover costs from winter storm emergency
Council received the Emergency Funding Report and related claims package for information.
The material outlines the costs incurred by the municipality during the state of emergency in late November and early December when a severe winter storm hit the area.
Council authorized staff to share the material with the province with hopes of recovering some costs through the Ontario Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance Program.
The town incurred approximately $983,721 in costs related to emergency response and recovery efforts.
“The financial impact on the town will depend on the outcome of our claim for provincial emergency funding,” director of financial services Wayne Campbell wrote.
Municipal Heritage Committee Work Plan
Council received for information the Municipal Heritage Committee’s work plan for the year ahead.
“The purpose of the Municipal Heritage Committee 2025 Work Plan Report is to communicate the roles, objectives, goals, and proposed activities of the … committee for 2025 … [and] provide a summary of 2024 … activities,” wrote Angela Ghikadis, a senior planner for the town.
New for 2025 will be a shifted focus on recognizing heritage properties outside of the formal designation process.
Climate Change Adaptation – Implementation Plan received
Council received for information the Climate Change Adaptation – Implementation Plan.
The document serves as background information to the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan that council endorsed, in principle, in January 2023.
The implementation plan will be used as a guide for future climate change adaptation activities.
Council directed staff in February 2024 to participate in the development of the implementation plan.
The working group identified six action themes shared by all five partner municipalities.
A second set of action items are unique to each partner municipality.
Third-Party Event Administration Report
Gravenhurst council members received the Third-Party Event Administration Report for information.
“The purpose of the Third-Party Event Administration Report is to provide an update … with respect to 2025 events occurring in Gravenhurst,” wrote Holly Carney, theatre programming and community events coordinator for the town. “This report will seek designations and exemptions and highlight changes to event requirements. Work continues with event organizers on waste diversion efforts, traffic control plans and the impacts of the Bay and Beyond construction project continuing in 2025.”
In receiving the report, council deemed seven events as “municipally significant” to the town.
The events require this designation in order to obtain provincial approval to serve alcohol.
The events are as follows:
1. Tall Pines Music Festival
2. Muskoka Ribfest & In-Water Boat & Cottage Show
3. Dockside Festival of the Arts
4. The Amazin’ Grays Tournament
5. Gravenhurst Summer Curling Bonspiel
6. Gravenhurst Winter Carnival 2026
7. On The Pond! Canada – North American Cup 2026
Additionally, council granted a series of exemptions to bylaws to facilitate events happening in town.
Council discusses U.S. tariffs
Gravenhurst council members discussed American tariffs and what local initiatives are in place to support people and businesses during the trade war.
Councillor Jo Morphy started the discussion because council was set to receive tariff-related correspondence from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
She asked CAO Scott Lucas to provide details about the measures the town and District of Muskoka are taking to support the Canadian economy.
Lucas said the town’s senior leadership team is researching options.
He noted that economic development staff have been participating in a regional working group that led to the creation of a portal on the District of Muskoka website.
The portal provides updates, resources, and tools to help businesses and the public navigate the tariffs.
He said internally, town staff have been analyzing what effect the tariffs will have on municipal operations – a challenging exercise for staff given that information is changing daily.
Lucas explained the town has shared information with AMO so the association can better advocate for municipal needs at Queen’s Park.
Melissa Halford, director of development services, echoed the CAO’s remarks and said the work continues.
Mayor Lorenz said the biggest challenge is the erratic behaviour of President Donald Trump.
She said Canadians are showing great patriotic spirit and perseverance.
Following the discussion, council received the correspondence from AMO.
Public art display project at town hall
Speaking on behalf of the Public Art Advisory Committee, Councillor Christina Hunter provided a report about a new project involving the display of local artwork at the municipal office.
Spearheading the project is the town’s Public Art Advisory Committee with assistance from the Muskoka Discovery Centre, which is curating the artwork.
The work, now on display, can be found in the lobby and the council chambers.
Displayed items are for sale and will be swapped out with different items periodically throughout the year.
Update from the mayor
Mayor Heidi Lorenz provided her monthly update.
The mayor said with the start of the spring freshet people should be prepared.
She said sandbags are available through the town for people facing flooding.
For details on where to get sandbags, visit Gravenhurst.ca.
The town also has a flood information page on its website.
Mayor Lorenz also recognized recent YWCA Women of Distinction Award nominees and recipients.
Additionally, she congratulated Councillor Penny Varney on receiving a King Charles III Coronation Medal.
On another note, Mayor Lorenz said the application process will soon open for the town’s annual Gravenhurst High School Bursary.
She encouraged students to apply.
Watch the town’s website and social media channels for bursary application details.
As well, the mayor said nominations are now open for the Ontario Senior of the Year Award.
Details about the nomination process are on Gravenhurst.ca.
Click here to nominate an individual.
The town’s Ontario Senior of the Year Award will be presented at the upcoming Mayor’s Annual Tea.
Visitor services agreement with chamber
Council passed a bylaw authorizing the mayor and clerk to sign an agreement with the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, allowing the local business organization to provide visitor services for the town.
Council Highlights
Council Highlights is prepared as an overview of the council meeting. For the official record, please refer to the agenda and minutes on the town website at www.gravenhurst.ca.
Watch the meeting:
Contact Us
Town of Gravenhurst
3-5 Pineridge Gate
Gravenhurst ON P1P1Z3
T: 705-687-3412
TF: 1-855-687-3412
info@gravenhurst.ca