Council Highlights - October 14, 2025

Stay-up-to-date with what’s happening at the Council table with the Town of Arnprior’s meetings in just a few minutes.  Please note these summaries are not an official record of Council meetings. Official minutes are posted online once they are approved during a subsequent meeting. You can also access the meeting recording on the Town’s YouTube channel.

Delegation – Santa Claus Parade, Optimist Club

Brad McKay of the Optimist Club of Arnprior advised Council of plans for this year’s Santa Claus Parade to be held November 29^th at 6:00pm. The parade route will follow the previous years’ route, starting at the corner of Baskin and Daniel Streets and travelling to the downtown core. Santa will end his ride at the Arnprior Legion Branch 174 at 49 Daniel Street North where families are invited for a visit.

Presentation – Age-friendly Community Plan Refresh, JL Richards

Council received a presentation of the drafted Age-friendly Community Plan from Ellory Vincent and Tim Chadder of JL Richards. The plan includes seven (7) goals around:

• Mitigating Ageism & Age-Related Stigma
• Fostering Accessible & Age-Friendly Built Environments
• Strengthening Channels of Communication & Support
• Rethinking Housing
• Expanding Transportation Networks
• Supporting Intergenerational Learning
• Enabling Comprehensive Health & Wellbeing

NSC Arena Revitalization – Financing Options Report

Council authorized the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund grant

of $1,000,000 for the Nick Smith Centre Arena Revitalization project be used to

reduce the amount of debt financing for the project to $3,000,000 and authorized the long-term borrowing of the $3,000,000 for the capital works (NSC Arena Revitalization) from RBC through their proposed 4-year Fixed Rate Interest Term and 10-year amortization.

Proclamations:

1. Waste Reduction Week
   Council proclaimed October 20th to 26th, 2025, as Waste Reduction Week in the Town of Arnprior and urge residents to prioritize environmental sustainability by purchasing environmentally responsible products and services, diverting unnecessary waste from garbage disposal and conserving natural resources. The Arnprior + District Museum will be inviting Yulia Shtern and Sanjay Sundram to mount an exhibit called Waste Not, Want That: Climate Change Through Art and Action, from November 2025 through March 2026. Part of the exhibit includes free papier mâché with art workshop on November 1st and a panel about recycling on November 8th for members of the public to participate in. Also, local schools are invited to participate in Climate Change and Art School Tour at the Arnprior + District Museum that explores issues in sustainability through art as social change. Residents are invited to participate in an upcycle contest to reuse materials in a Halloween Costume during Waste Reduction Week to win a family swim or skate pass, details for which can be found at www.arnprior.ca.
2. Small Business Week
   Council proclaimed October 19th to 25th, 2025, as Small Business Week in the Town of Arnprior and encourage local residents to shop, learn about and support local small businesses across the Town of Arnprior. The Town of Arnprior in partnership with the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce and onTrac are holding an Espresso Exchange Speed Networking event at PJ's restaurant at 2:00 PM on the October 21st.
3. Ontario Public Library Week
   Council proclaimed October 19th to 25th, 2025, as “Ontario Public Library Week” in the Town of Arnprior and encourage all residents to show their support for our local public library by visiting, not just this week, but all year long, and utilize the services that they have to offer. This year the theme for Ontario Public Library Week is “Libraries for Life” focusing on the role that libraries play in supporting individual and collective connections to the past and future of our communities, nations and civilizations. The Arnprior Public Library will be celebrating Ontario Public Library Week with a line-up of events and activities including an author visit by Peggy Blair October 25th, 2025, at 3:00 PM.
4. Local Government Week
   Council proclaimed October 19th to 25th, 2025, as Local Government Week in the Town of Arnprior and encourage all residents to learn more about municipal government and how they can get involved. Clerk’s Office and the Public Works Department will be welcoming all schools in the Town of Arnprior to participate in a “Paint the Plows” Initiative to educate and raise awareness about the role that local government plays in people’s everyday lives, including winter operations, and to allow students the chance to contribute to their community.

Municipal Grant Requests:

Opportunity Shop

Council approved a request from the Opportunity Shop for waiving the Landfill

Voucher fee for 25 vouchers for the Opportunity Shop to dispose of waste left inappropriately at their store.

Arnprior McNab Braeside Men’s Shed

Council approved a request for waiving the Nick Smith Centre Community Hall rental fees for the Arnprior McNab Braeside Men’s Shed’s Annual Christmas Craft Show to be held on November 16th, 2025.

Arnprior Regional Health Foundation

Council approved a request for waiving the Robert Simpson Park Gazebo rental fees for the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation’s Penny Stashick Ugly Sweater Walk to be held on December 6th, 2025.

Arnprior Optimist Club

Council approved a request for waiving Town staff support and equipment fees for the Arnprior Santa Claus to be held on November 29th, 2025 and that the event flyer be included in the September/October 2025 water bills which will be mailed out in early November 2025.

Glenn Arthur Memorial “It Shouldn’t Hurt to be a Child” Hockey Tournament

Council approved a request for waiving the Nick Smith Centre Community Hall and four (4) hours of ice rental fees for the Glenn Arthur Memorial “It Shouldn’t Hurt to be a Child” Hockey Tournament to be held on November 14th and 15th, 2025.