Gravenhurst Council Highlights - March 17, 2026

Livestream plagued by technical problem

Due to a technical problem, there was no audio available during the livestream of the council meeting.

The town apologizes for the inconvenience.

The public can always attend meetings in person. They are held in the council chambers at the municipal office, 3-5 Pineridge Gate.  

Ontario Northland presentation

The chief executive officer for Ontario Northland, Chad Evans, provided council with an update on the company’s plans to restore passenger train service to the north.

Evans provided an overview of the new service.

During the presentation, he showed pictures of what the new trains will look like, including photos of the accessible seating and washrooms inside.

He also shared images of the new station facilities that Northland is building, including what it will construct in Gravenhurst, just north of Brock Street and the existing historic Gravenhurst Train Station.

The new structure, just off Centennial Drive, will include an accessible platform and station shelter that people can wait in, plus appropriate parking and lighting.

The new service – when it will be operational is not set in stone yet – will provide transit to downtown Toronto and to points north of Gravenhurst, including North Bay and Timmins.

Mayor Heidi Lorenz said the return of Ontario Northland is a good news story.

Following the presentation, Carole Anne Simpson, a local resident, and Lucille Frith, a passenger rail advocate who campaigned for the return of Northlander rail service, appeared before council.

They would like to see the train stop at the existing train station. They urged council to consider asking that the new station shelter be located immediately next to the historic train station.

The mayor said Ontario Northland has put a lot of research into its new facilities and where they should be located, adding the location north of Brock Street is the spot the company has settled on for Gravenhurst.

She said the station shelter structure will provide a visible, accessible, safe spot for people to wait for the train.

Other council members asked related questions and made comments of their own.

Council took no further action.

Argh, matey! There be pirates on the way to Gravenhurst

Cathy Tait of Muskoka Steamships Association appeared before council.

She advised that Piratefest is returning to Muskoka Wharf Aug. 1 and 2.

She said the gathering will feature pirate-themed performances and activities.

She asked that people associated with the event be allowed to park and stay overnight in trailers at Muskoka Wharf Sports Field.

Mayor Lorenz said it’s exciting to see the event returning.

Council passed a resolution directing staff to report back on accommodation and parking access at Muskoka Wharf Sports Field during the event weekend.

Development Charges Reserve Fund Statutory Report

The 2025 Development Charges Reserve Fund Statutory Report was received for information.

The annual report is a requirement stipulated by the province’s Development Charges Act.

The report provides the opening and closing balances of the Development Charges Reserve Funds and the transactions related to the funds.

Review the report.

Building Services Annual Report

Council members received the Building Services Annual Report for information.

The annual report is a requirement stipulated by the province’s Building Code Act.

The report provides the total building permit fees collected. This includes direct and indirect costs of delivering services related to the administration and enforcement of the Building Code Act, and the balance in any building reserve funds.

Review the report.

Restricted Period Delegation Report and bylaw

Council received the Restricted Period Delegation Report for information.

They later approved a related bylaw that delegates certain authorities to the town’s chief administrative officer if a restricted period occurs due to the municipal election.

The report provides information regarding the potential for a Restricted, or ‘lame duck’, Council classification.

Section 275 of the Municipal Act includes restrictions for specific council abilities after nomination and election day if certain conditions apply.

For full details, see the report.

Review the related bylaw.

New Recreation for All policy

Council members approved a new Recreation for All policy.

The policy will ensure low-income residents and persons with disabilities have access to municipal recreation and culture activities.

“Since the pandemic, there has been an increasing trend of more families and individuals not meeting the ‘low income’ cutoff for basic needs, which is limiting the ability to participate in recreation and cultural activities,” noted Shawna Patterson, director of recreation, arts and culture.

Read the report to learn more.

Watch for more information about how to access related supports.  

Third-Party Event Administration Report

Elected officials received the Third-Party Event Administration Report for information.

In receiving the report, council also approved a series of related bylaw exemptions.

“The purpose of the Third-Party Event Administration Report is to provide an update to the Committee with respect to 2026 events occurring in Gravenhurst,” wrote Theatre Programming and Community Events Coordinator Holly Carney in the report.

“Additionally, this report will clarify the use of signs for event purposes.  Work continues with event organizers on waste diversion efforts, traffic control plans and the impacts of the Bay and Beyond construction project continuing into 2026,” Carney noted.

Review the report.

2026 Roads Rehabilitation Memorandum of Understanding

Council received for information the 2026 Roads Rehabilitation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Report.

Additionally, they granted the director of infrastructure services and the treasurer the authority to enter the town into an MOU with the District Municipality of Muskoka for the town’s jointly tendered road rehabilitation projects.

The authority is conditional on the tendered price being no more than 10 per cent above the approved combined budget envelope for Killworthy, Brydons Bay and Rockcastle Road projects.  

Read the report to learn more.

Campbells Road rehabilitation going ahead

Council approved a jointly procured tender with the Town of Bracebridge for the Campbells Road rehabilitation project at a cost of $263,686.63, including HST.

The work will go to the lowest compliant bidder, T.A.A. Construction Inc.

Council directed staff to sign the construction contract and enter into a cost sharing agreement with Bracebridge for their proportionate share of the tendered construction costs.

The director of public works for Bracebridge will take a report to their General Committee meeting in April. Following approval, a cost-sharing agreement to share the costs equally will be formalized.

The construction phase is anticipated to start mid-July, with substantial completion by the end of August.

Read the related Town of Gravenhurst staff report. 

Funding will support needs at Wharf Baseball Diamond

Council authorized staff to use capital dollars they don’t require for unplanned rehabilitation needs at the Wharf Baseball Diamond, to a maximum amount of $53,850.

Any leftover money is to be placed into capital reserves.

Read the related report to learn more.

Council members report on BIA-themed meeting

Councillor Penny Varney and Councillor Erin Strength said they attended a Feb. 18 meeting the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce hosted.

Varney is council’s representative on the chamber board and Strength is the BIA representative.

Held in the Trillium Court at the Gravenhurst Opera House and dubbed a ‘Business Check-in Night’, the meeting focused on the future of the BIA in Gravenhurst.  

The meeting featured guest speaker Rachel Braithwaite, executive director of the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA).

Town of Gravenhurst officials and community stakeholders are working to determine the future of the BIA, which was placed into dormancy in 2025.

Update from the mayor

Mayor Heidi Lorenz provided her monthly update.

Mayor Lorenz noted the recent Gravenhurst Opera House 125th anniversary celebration was a success.

She thanked everyone who made the anniversary possible.

Another item she touched on was the annual Gravenhurst High School Bursary. Applications are now available.

The bursary provides $2,000 to a graduating Gravenhurst High School student. The funds can be used to offset post-secondary education.

See the town website for details.

Mayor Lorenz also noted the town is now accepting Ontario Senior of the Year Award nominations.

Nominees, after the age of 65, must have enriched the social, cultural, or civic life of the community. 

Contributions can be through a variety of fields, including arts, literature, volunteering, education, environment, fitness, or humanitarian. 

See the town website for details.

Also, Mayor Lorenz touched on the next Coffee with Council. It takes place Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to noon, in the Trillium Court at the Gravenhurst Opera House.

Mayor Lorenz said council looks forward to chatting with residents.

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.