Children’s Museum Expansion, Fall City Updates, Volunteer Opportunities & Events in Ward 3
Dear Neighbour,
Wishing everyone a great Labour Day weekend and a smooth and safe back-to-school next week.
Congratulations to #OurWard3 Trillium White Award winners! The judging for the coveted Red Award will be announced in September.
Kevin “KTriggz” Williamson, a young MC who grew up in #OurWard3 hosted the third 905Fest in Woodlands Park this past weekend. This grassroots hip hop festival aims to create a platform to raise up local talent while also removing the stigma of the supports people need to turn to while facing obstacles in life. Thanks to everyone who came by to spread some love.
Thank you to everyone who has visited one of the twelve Ward 3 Office Pop-Ups this summer. This direct outreach enabled residents without email and who don’t use social media to get the support they needed and for me to listen directly to their concerns and requests.
The Ward 3 Office will be closed this coming Monday, September 5 on Labour Day, and will open again on Tuesday, September 6. You can contact the City’s general line for any issues involving roads, water mains, sewer systems, public health and safety issues by calling 905-546-2489.
I will be holding one final Coffee With Your Councillor for this term to connect with neighbours, on Tuesday, September 13. Please join me live one more time on Facebook and Instagram to talk about the issues that matter most to #OurWard3.
This e-newsletter includes City service updates, engagement and volunteer opportunities, and events upcoming in September across Ward 3. And as always, updates on public health and vaccine availability.
Yours in Community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
Federal Funding Supports Gage Park Children’s Museum Renovation & Expansion
The Children’s Museum at Gage Park received the federal funding we were hoping for as a City to get this renovation and expansion underway.
This renovation will include lots of improvements to the heritage building’s accessibility, such as: barrier-free entrances and bathrooms; an elevator; level floors and ramps throughout; visible and audible alarms; large print, high contrast and braille signs; coordination with the CNIB for informative digital media support; QR code assistance for the visually impaired; parking spots for disabled persons; and, high contrast guide strips on pathways and stairs.
As well, the expansion of the building will provide additional program spaces, a large outdoor gathering space, a children’s garden featuring native plantings, and two outdoor patio play spaces.
Construction is scheduled to begin this fall, and wrap up Fall 2023.
Thank you to all the residents who participated in the consultation process. Like many of you, I can’t wait for our kiddos and community to enjoy this renewed and more accessible space!
HSR Fall Schedule – September 4 - December 31
The 2022 Fall schedule will take effect on Saturday, September 4. As part of the new schedule, HSR will be implementing service improvements relating to year six of the Ten Year Local Transit Strategy. In addition to the strategic service improvements, the following changes will also go into effect:
• Regular weekday schedules will resume on routes 3, 6, 7, 8, 21,22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34, 35, 41.
• Route 44 Rymal will service Confederation GO before continuing to Stoney Creek Smart Centre (Centennial Walmart). Customers leaving Walmart will now board on the platform on the west side.
• MacNab Transit Terminal will be renamed Frank A. Cooke Transit Terminal (FRAC TERM) effective September 4, 2022.
• The HSR myRide on-demand pilot will continue to operate in Waterdown during the fall schedule.
• As part of the Ten-Year Local Transit Strategy, a $0.05 increase will go into effect on Thursday, September 1, 2022
The fall schedule will go into effect beginning September 4 and operate until Saturday, December 31. For more information on the Fall schedule, please visit here.
Fall Recreation Programming Registration – Opens September 14 & 15
Fall recreation programs are available for review as of August 29. To browse programs by age and program category, please visit here. Registered programs for Fall 2022 are scheduled to begin October 3. Program registration starts at 8 am on September 14 and 15. Please visit here for how to register.
Please note that online registration is required for all programs. If you have any questions, or require assistance, please email recreation@hamilton.ca.
2022 Municipal Election – October 24, 2022
Hamilton's next municipal election is October 24, 2022. To find out if you are eligible to vote and to see the many options available this time around visit the City's Municipal Election Voters page.
To find out who is running for councillor, mayor, and trustee, visit the Nominated Candidates page.
Take Back the Night – Volunteer Training Session – September 10
SACHA is looking for volunteers to join their team on Saturday, September 10th for a full day of essential event training, in preparation for Take Back the Night 2022 (September 15th). The training includes anti-racism and anti-oppression, de-escalation, event logistics, and more. This volunteer training will be in-person on September 10th between 10 am and 4 pm. Please note that masks will be required.
If you are interested in volunteering, or know someone who is, please fill out the application here. Applications will be accepted until September 7th. For more information, visit the application form above.
Please reach out to sabreina@sacha.ca if you have any questions or concerns.
Discovery Centre Site Strategy Development – Survey Closes September 23
The City of Hamilton is developing a strategy for the Hamilton Waterfront Trust Centre (former Canadian Marine Discovery Centre museum) property and adjacent lands. This City-wide asset has tons of potential - have your say by taking the community survey here before September 23rd. To learn more, please visit: engage.hamilton.ca/discoverycentre.
Community Fridges HamOnt – Volunteer to Fridge-Check
Community Fridges HamOnt is looking for volunteers to help out with daily fridge-checks. Several fridge-checks happen every day to ensure the community fridges are running safely & respectfully. More folks on board will allow the team to better support each other, and account for fluctuating availability. This project is entirely mutual aid and community-run.
On site tasks include disinfecting & tidying (with provided supplies), confirming safe temperatures, and confirming all donations fit within the donation guidelines. You'll also be asked to send an update, providing pictures & noting any issues, on their Slack channel (the app they use to organize).
One of the fridges is in the Crown Point neighbourhood, at 204 Ottawa St. N. Technically in Ward 4, we know that a lot of Ward 3 residents rely on and support this community fridge.
For more information, please visit here. To register as a volunteer, please see here.
Movies in the Park – September 10
All neighbours are welcome to join the last of the summer’s free Movies in the Park event on Saturday, September 10th in Woodlands Park (501 Barton St. E). Big thanks to Barton Village BIA and Playhouse Cinemas who have partnered to bring community together and enjoy family-friendly movies this summer. Sing 2 will be the feature movie to wrap everything up, at 8 pm until 11 pm.
For more information, please visit here.
Walk a Mile in Their Shoes – September 14
Walk a Mile in Their Shoes is an event organized by YWCA Hamilton, that raises funds and awareness to end gender-based violence. YWCA Hamilton relies on funds raised by Walk a Mile in Their Shoes to provide supports, advocacy and services to women, girls and gender-diverse people experiencing violence. From safety, shelter and transitional living to peer-check ins, counseling and safety planning, YWCA provides life-changing and life-saving supports to survivors.
Neighbours are welcome to register to join the Awards Ceremony & Walk (In-Person) on September 14 from 11 am to 1 pm, at the Hamilton City Hall Forecourt; as well as, to participate in virtual Walk Week activities September 7-14.
For more information, and registration, please visit here.
Take Back the Night 2022 – September 15
This year, SACHA is excited to share that Take Back The Night will be happening in person, on Thursday September 15. TBTN is a community event to bring awareness to issues of sexual violence, gender-based violence, and street harassment. SACHA’s annual event allows neighbours to gather collectively as women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people in solidarity and empowerment, and to fight for changes in our community that center survivors experiences and voices.
Details of TBTN’s schedule are as follows:
6 pm–8 pm: Community Tables, Indigenous Market and Live Music
8 pm–8:15 pm: Rally and keynote speakers
8:15pm: March
For more information, please visit here.
Monkeypox Virus & Vaccination
Monkeypox is a rare viral disease. It can cause fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes and tiredness. About 1 to 3 days after these symptoms a rash can develop. It is usually spread by very close contact with someone who has Monkeypox. Most people recover from Monkeypox on their own within 2 to 4 weeks. However, some people can get seriously sick.
Anyone can get Monkeypox. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) the risk of infection is low for the general population. Monkeypox typically does not spread easily between individuals. When spread does occur it is most often through contact with body fluids from an infected person. Most transmission of Monkeypox in Canada has occurred between close contacts like intimate partners or household members.
For information on vaccine eligibility, and upcoming Monkeypox vaccine clinics, please visit here. Please note that all Monkeypox vaccine clinics are appointment only.
COVID-19 Vaccination Availability
Booster doses for children aged 5-11 years of age are anticipated to be available soon. To stay up to date on the latest updates and vaccine eligibility, please visit here.
It is strongly recommended that immunocompromised individuals 18+ and other previously eligible and high-risk individuals, receive their fourth dose of vaccine if they have not already.
This includes:
• Individuals aged 60+;
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18+; and
• Residents of local long-term care homes, retirement homes, or an Elder Care Lodge and older adults living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services
COVID-19 vaccines are available for young children aged six months to under five years. Parents and caregivers of this population are able to book appointments for their young children as of this date.
You can book a vaccine appointment online if you:
• Have an Ontario health card (green photo health card OR red and white health card)
• Have an email address OR a cell phone that can receive SMS messages (texts)
If you do not have access to online booking, call the COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7 to book an appointment. Translation services are available by phone.
Vaccine Access
For a full list of vaccine clinics across the City, please see here: https://www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine.
Additionally, residents are also encouraged to check with local pharmacies who are offering COVID-19 vaccinations.