Dear Ward 7 Residents,
Spring has sprung, and with it comes a bouquet of festivities and community happenings in our vibrant neighbourhood. As we welcome the blooming season, it is my pleasure to share with you the latest updates and events that embody the spirit of unity and progress defining Ward 7.
March has been a month brimming with celebrations, honouring the diversity and richness of our community. From commemorating the start of Ramadan with heartfelt wishes of Ramadan Mubarak, to reveling in the joyous colors of the Holi Festival, and embracing the renewal and hope symbolized by Nowruz, the Persian New Year, there's been no shortage of reasons to come together and celebrate.
Amidst these festive moments, we've witnessed a flurry of community initiatives and exciting developments, each contributing to the tapestry of our shared experiences. In this newsletter, you'll find a snapshot of events and initiatives that have enriched our community.
What’s Happening in Town
Ride On-Demand App Goes Live on April 10
Exciting news! Oakville Transit is launching its new Ride On-Demand app on April 10. This app will streamline booking and tracking for all Ride On-Demand services, benefiting Ward 7 residents directly. Seniors and youth using Presto cards ride free. Learn more here.
With this technological leap, Oakville Transit aims to enhance the overall experience for its customers, providing a modern and efficient solution for on-demand transportation needs. Ward 7 residents will benefit from this new Ride On-Demand app, which is a permanent operation at ward 7 since it successfully completed piloting in 2023.
Enhanced Tree Protection
We're committed to preserving our urban forest! Council recently approved updates to enhance private tree protection, aligning with our goal to achieve 40% tree canopy coverage by 2057. Read more on the planned enhancement.
Oakville Transit's 5-Year Business Plan
Oakville Transit seeks community input for its 5-year business plan, which is vital for the continuing growth and prosperity of our vibrant town. Join the Transit Talk drop-in events on April 10 and 11, or complete the online survey by April 15. Your feedback matters and find more here.
Oakville Youth Awards!
Nominate a young person (ages 11 to 19) making a positive impact in the community by April 2 for the Oakville Youth Awards! The awards ceremony will take place on May 4 at QEPCCC. Nominate here.
Community Spirit Awards Nominations Now Open
You're invited to nominate community champions who have made a significant difference through volunteer efforts or acts of kindness! The 2024 Community Spirit Awards nominations are open until Friday, April 26 at 4 p.m. in six categories, including arts, culture & heritage, climate action, leadership and more. Learn more here.
@Ward 7
🚧 Attention Drivers! 🚧 - Road Closure
Starting from April 1st, , a section of Sixth Line, approximately spanning from Settlers Road East to Burnhamthorpe Road East, will be closed for an estimated duration of 8-9 weeks due to storm sewer construction. Kindly plan your routes accordingly and factor in extra travel time. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and sincerely appreciate your cooperation as we endeavour to enhance our infrastructure.
Update for New Community Centre & Sports Park
You ask, we deliver! The completion of the first-phase of the Sports Park project is just close to its finish line. Please note #1 & #4 Sports Fields will open to the public on April 1st; #2 & #3 will be available for public use on May 17th. Cricket Pitch will welcome all players and fans on May 17th.
Key Events
Smile Days event
On March 1st, we collaborated with local dentists to provide free dental care to those in need.
Excited to join forces with my council colleague Tom Adams for this great initiative! Grateful for my friend Dr. Kelvin Fung and other dentists from Halton-Peel Dentists Association that are graciously offering free dental care to those in need, referred by local charities. Let's spread smiles together! 😊
2nd Annual International Women’s Day Event
Women from different walks of life are what make our town strong and resilient. In celebrating International Women’s Day 2024, we were inspired by stories from keynote speakers and sparkles from panel discussions at Town Hall. All the experiences, hardwork and struggles were deeply resonated among many, Many thanks to those who came out and supported #IWD2024 event.
2024 Canada-Korea Professional Artist’s Show
As a debut exhibit in Oakville, Sungmi Kong and Rainbow Roof Gallery spearheaded the 2024 Canada-Korea Professional Artist’s Show at QEPCCC on March 16th, With 8 Canadian and 8 Korean artists, their artworks celebrate unity, friendship, and robust relationships, paving the way for a bright future together.
OCTTA Hosts its Debut Oakville Open
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Oakville Chinese Table Tennis Association (OCTTA) on the successful hosting of their inaugural Oakville Open Tournament! Over a hundred players from various cities across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) gathered on March 9th at the River Oak Community Centre to compete in a spirited display of skill and sportsmanship, promoting the sport and culture of table tennis. As this sport continues to garner its fanbase from different sectors within our community, tournaments like this are only made possible with generous sponsors and hardworking volunteers who put their love into this exciting cause.
Upcoming
Easter Events
Staying in town and looking for places to go for the Easter long weekend? Look no further, find your much needed Easter events guidelines here.
Community Safety Town Hall Meeting
Join us on April 15th at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex for a discussion on recent crime issues in Oakville. RSVP here to save your post.
33rd Annual Earth Day Clean Up
Join us on April 20th at various locations throughout Oakville for the Earth Day Clean Up. Every bit of effort counts toward the preservation of our mother nature and this precious planet we all call home. To learn more and participate here.
As we journey further into the season of growth and renewal, I would like to thank you for staying engaged and active in our community and with our collective effort, Ward 7 continues to grow and thrive, along with developments townwide.
Stay connected,
Scott Xie