Gravenhurst Council Highlights - Nov. 18, 2025

Gravenhurst staff member earns Parks Management Practitioner designation

Council congratulated town staffer Kyla Bruce on obtaining her Parks Management Practitioner designation through the Ontario Parks Association.

Bruce is the town’s parks and trails technician.

“Kyla, I want to thank you for your commitment to our organization and the people we serve, and I want to commend you for your interest in continuing education opportunities through the Ontario Parks Association,” Mayor Heidi Lorenz said.

The Parks Management Practitioner program that Bruce participated in is delivered in three progressive levels. 

The program is designed for professionals ready to take on new responsibilities, helping them develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in leadership roles.

The focus is on management terminology, labour relations, finance, and the unique challenges that come with working in the public sector.

Watch the discussion to learn more.

Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce annual update

Meghan Pratt, executive director of the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, provided council with her annual update on the local organization.

Pratt said the chamber has approximately 235 members. 

She reviewed a variety of statistics from throughout the past year, highlighting the organization’s activities. 

June remains the organization’s most active month with the Gravenhurst Car Show a popular community event, she said. 

There were 427 vehicles at the latest show, drawing 2,745 visitors to Gull Lake Rotary Park.

Watch the presentation to learn more.

Learn more about the chamber.

Plant-based food presentation

Anita Krajnic, on behalf of Plant Based Treaty, presented information on plant-based food systems and the value of endorsing what’s called a plant-based treaty.

Plant Based Treaty bills itself as a “grassroots initiative creating bottom-up pressure for the negotiation of a global Plant Based Treaty as a companion,” to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Paris Agreement.

The organization says the “treaty would put food systems at the heart of combating the climate crisis, aiming to halt the widespread degradation of critical ecosystems caused by animal agriculture, to promote a shift to more healthy, sustainable plant-based diets and to actively reverse damage done to planetary functions, ecosystem services and biodiversity.”

The organization would like to see the Town of Gravenhurst endorse the treaty. 

Council members asked a variety of questions. 

Mayor Lorenz thanked the organization for sharing information with council 

Watch the presentation.

Learn more about the organization.

Doors Open Gravenhurst

Council received for information a report on the 2025 Doors Open event in Gravenhurst.

Spearheaded by the Municipal Heritage Committee with support from town staff, the event took place on Sept. 20 and showcased 11 sites. 

The public had free access to the sites, which included the Gravenhurst Opera House, Severn Bridge Fairgrounds, and the Gravenhurst Train Station, providing a unique opportunity for an up-close look at these spaces.

The event was part of a larger provincially-led initiative through the Ontario Heritage Trust with local events happening around the province between April and October. 

Senior planner Angela Ghikadas, staff liaison to the Municipal Heritage Committee, said the Gravenhurst event was well received.

“Should it be determined that continuing to participate in Doors Open is beneficial to the town, it is recommended that bi-annual participation is appropriate,” Ghikadas noted in the report. 

She added that future participation would ideally involve showcasing different sites. 

Review the report.

Watch the presentation.

Council endorses asset management plan

Council received for information the town’s new asset management plan and endorsed, in principle, its approach to managing town assets such as roads, sidewalks, facilities, and vehicles. 

The plan outlines the financial steps the town should take to ensure municipal assets are maintained and, when required, replaced.  

The plan indicates that the town should strive for an average annual capital investment of $19.1 million in a phased-in manner.

Based on historical analysis of sustainable funding sources, the town currently allocates roughly $9.1 million annually toward asset-related capital projects and reserves. This results in an annual funding shortfall of $10 million. 

The plan indicates that addressing the infrastructure funding gap within a 10-year timeframe is critical to mitigating the risks associated with ongoing asset deterioration and rising costs.

Review the staff report to learn more.

Watch the discussion.

Muskoka Watershed Council update

Councillor Peter Johnston, the town’s representative on the Muskoka Watershed Council, provided his monthly update. 

He noted that integrated watershed management (IWM) will be taken over by the District of Muskoka.

IWM is an approach requiring the management of human activities and natural resources together on a watershed basis, taking into consideration the connected interests and needs of the environment, economy, and society.

Johnston said all local municipalities will meet in 2026 – likely January – to talk about the approach the district will take with IWM. 

Johnston said he’s pleased by the development as it will mean access to more resources. 

Watch the update.

New art at the municipal office

Councillor Christina Hunter said there is a new display of artwork at the municipal office.

The new display features work by Carolyn M. Boyd. 

Boyd’s work is hanging in the lobby and in the council chambers. 

People can check out the lobby display during regular business hours – Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – and the display in the council chambers is viewable during committee meetings and council meetings. 

The town’s Public Art Advisory Committee spearheads the art showcase project. The Muskoka Discovery Centre sources the work on display. 

Councillor Hunter is council’s representative on the committee.

She said Boyd is the fourth artist highlighted since the project launched earlier in the year.

“Artists interested in participating in the showcase here at the municipal office should contact Wendy Fairbairn at the Muskoka Discovery Centre,” Hunter said. “Wendy has done a tremendous job finding artists for us and we are so pleased to have her as a part of this project.”

Learn more about Carolyn M. Boyd.

Watch the update.

Update from the mayor

Mayor Heidi Lorenz provided her monthly update.

Mayor Lorenz noted the Gravenhurst Santa Claus Parade is Saturday, Nov. 22, starting at 11 a.m.

See the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce website for more details.

The mayor also said Light up the Wharf is happening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29. The event features an array of fun holiday activities.

See the town’s website for more details.

The Community Spirit Awards took place Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the Gravenhurst Opera House.

The awards recognize individuals and organizations for special achievements and contributions to Gravenhurst. Mayor Lorenz congratulates all award recipients.

Mayor Lorenz noted the town recently announced details about the upcoming celebrations for the 125th anniversary of the Gravenhurst Opera House.

See the town website for details.  

The mayor said the Gravenhurst Health Fair took place Tuesday, Nov. 18 in the Terry Fox Auditorium at the Centennial Centre.

She said the event was a great way to learn more about local health services. 

She also praised the Gravenhurst Health Hub project for its ongoing fundraising efforts.

Project officials have now raised more than $950,000.

Spearheading the health hub project is the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst and the Cottage Country Family Health Team, which currently provides services from the first floor of 5 Pineridge Gate.  

The two organizations announced in early November they are moving ahead with tendering the first phase of renovations for the empty second floor at 5 Pineridge Gate.

Ultimately, the space will result in expanded health care services for residents.

Mayor Lorenz also called on people, if able, to help the less fortunate during this holiday season.

She also noted a public meeting for the draft 2026 municipal budget will take place in the council chambers at 1 p.m. on Nov. 26.

See Engage Gravenhurst to learn more about the meeting and the budget process.

Watch the mayor’s update.

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