Council Highlights - September 14, 2026
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.
Presentation:
Retail Demand Study – Tate Research
Sameer Patel of Tate Research provided a presentation to Council, explaining the mandate of the study included: identify current and future commercial needs; identify future commercial land requirements; identify where growth should occur and provide supporting data to assist with assessing land use conversion requests; identify and collect market data through primary engagement and secondary data sources to assist with business retention and attraction; identify market trends to assist current and future businesses adapt to an evolving and challenging commercial market; and deliver a Retail Demand Study outlining short, medium and long term commercial requirements and recommendations to achieve sustained commercial growth. An overview of the Study is provided in the agenda, along with a copy of the complete Study. The Town would like to thank all those who completed the survey earlier this year. It was our most successful one yet with 1,598 responses! This participation helps inform the plan and recommendations.
Reports:
Cricket Pitch Setup and Operation – Director of Recreation, Culture & Facility Services
Staff met with the Ottawa Valley Strikers Cricket Club to select an appropriate portable cricket pitch for the Town of Arnprior to purchase for use at any of the McLean Avenue Ball Diamonds. Council agreed to fund up to $10,000 for the purchase and installation of the portable pitch which will be available shortly.
Municipal Grant Application – 2360 Royal Canadian Army Cadets – Director of Recreation, Culture & Facility Services
After receiving a request for municipal grant funding, Council agreed to waive 100% of the user fees and charges for the 2360 Royal Canadian Army Cadets request for the use of the Nick Smith Centre Community Hall on Thursday evenings (from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) on 38 dates (133 hours) from September 3, 2026 – June 17, 2027; the Nick Smith Centre arena slab on Saturday, June 13, 2027, for the Annual Ceremonial Review (a total value of $6,635); and the Nick Smith Centre Community Hall (or meeting room space) on Saturdays (8:00am – 4:00pm) on 2 dates (16 hours) from September through June (a total value of $730). The Cadets will be required to pay for the additional 5 Saturday dates requested.
Petition:
Baskin Drive Sidewalk
Council received a petition requesting the installation of sidewalks on Baskin Drive. Council directed staff to consider the implications of moving this project ahead on the Long Range Capital Forecast, where the design currently sits in 2029 and the construction in 2030, particularly the design element to be shovel ready. Also, as Baskin Drive is within the County of Renfrew’s jurisdiction, to liaise with the County on the timing of this project to align with other planned infrastructure works.
Resolutions:
County of Renfrew – Proposed Changes to the Property Tax Treatment of Renfrew County Housing Corporation Properties
Council passed a resolution requesting that the County’s proposal regarding changes to the property tax treatment of properties owned by the Renfrew County Housing Corporation be deferred pending meaningful consultation, additional financial analysis and further consideration by Committee, before advancing the matter to County Council.
Proclamations:
Test Your Smoke Alarm Day
Council proclaimed September 28th, 2026, as “Test Your Smoke Alarm Day” in the Town of Arnprior and urged all local residents to test the smoke alarms in their residence by pressing the test button, replacing the batteries and making sure that they are in good working order.
Fire Prevention Week
Council proclaimed October 4th to 10th, 2026 as “Fire Prevention Week” in the Town of Arnprior and urge all residents and visitors to use the charging cables that come with the product, charge the device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, charge your device on a hard surface, don’t overcharge your devices, and support the many public safety activities of the Arnprior Fire Department during Fire Prevention Week and all year long.