“The Canadian economy, including the construction industry, had a challenging year marked by tariff pressures and slowed growth, but this meant an even greater need for affordable housing, skills training and meaningful employment,” explains Brandon Day, Co-founder and CEO. “We are immensely proud of the continued, positive economic and social impacts of Community Builders’ work.”

Highlights of Community Builders 2024-2025 Impact Report

• Professional construction crews completed 324 building projects: 50.0% in social housing, 21.9% renovations, 14.5% affordable housing, and 7.1% co-operative housing.

• For the ninth year, the non-profit contractor used its proceeds to offer a 12-week paid Skilled Trades Training Program to individuals with barriers to employment, helping to launch new career paths to meaningful, living-wage work. Last year, 85 trainees went through the program (385 in its history), and 89% of Community Builders graduates found stable employment within 6 months of course completion.

• The organization received renewed support for its program, funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy (CAS), the Ontario Skills Development Fund,  the Home Depot Canada Foundation’s TradeWorx, and Meridian Credit Union’s Reframe Program.

• Once again, the Trades Training Program served a vastly diverse population, including women (31%), youth (54%), racialized people (38%), Indigenous People (13%) and individuals with disabilities, including mental health challenges (28%). The program has proven to be an effective tool for moving those transitioning out of corrections, those with low levels of education, and those with little job experience, into stable, meaningful employment in the trades sector.

• Community Builders’ skilled trades training saw an organic shift from previous years, reflecting today’s labour market realities and unemployment rates. Youth (aged 18-30) previously accounted for 22% of its training cohort, but in the last year, that increased to 54% of graduates.

• In addition to classroom and hands-on jobsite construction experience from framing to finishing, trainees graduate job-ready with safety certifications (WHIMIS, MOL-4step, Working at Heights), tools and PPE.

• Community Builders invests $20,000 per trainee in paying their wages, hiring expert trainers and delivering the program. Last year, the organization created $480,000 in paid training opportunities and delivered $100,000 in wraparound supports.

• The leadership and board developed an ambitious strategic plan that saw Community Builders replicate its success in Barrie/Simcoe County and Greater Sudbury by opening regional operations in Muskoka and Sault Ste. Marie, this past year.

“Community Builders continues to connect those who need work with the work that needs doing,” says Executive Director Carly Gasparini. “Our program offers a learning environment for those who want more than just a classroom; it offers a community where they are not only educated in skills but also gain the confidence they need to create a new path for themselves”.

Download the Community Builders 2024-2025 Impact Report from its website: www.communitybuilders.co

The post Community Builders Releases Annual Impact Report; Grows Impact And Reach appeared first on Muskoka411.

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The construction plans include some sill repairs but focus on replacing the stoplogs at two bays with new gates. A letter went out to residents in late July detailing the construction plans, the regulatory process and a general timeline. It said construction was expected to last two months, but their most recent notice says they plan to complete the work in about 18 days. With the Cranberry Festival holding its 40th-anniversary celebration from Oct. 18 to 20, some residents are concerned about the potential impact on the event. The company says construction will be over; if not, they plan to mitigate any impact on the festival.

“Construction will begin on September 30th and is anticipated to end October 17th,” said a construction notice from Potentia Renewables, Swift River’s parent company. “Should construction take longer, it will not interfere with the Bala Cranberry Festival (work will pause during the Festival weekend and the crane will be removed).”

The new gates are moveable barriers called sluice gates. The installation of the gates will allow operators at the dam to reestablish flow faster in the event of an unplanned shutdown, such as a grid outage. With stoplogs, reestablishing flow can take between one and four hours, according to Swift River, sometimes more with cold conditions. 

The gates will fully open in just seven minutes, and since they’re heated, frost and cold weather won’t have as great an impact on the dam operations. A logging team would still be required if additional flow is needed from the other bays, but the change will lessen the impact of power trips.

Construction equipment will be in the parking areas near the dam (see photo), and the work is expected to impact traffic in the area.

“Some traffic disruption is expected (no more than two hours per day) but one lane of Muskoka Road 169 will always be open and traffic control staff will be present,” said the notice.

Dave Skoric, chair of the Cranberry Festival’s board of directors, said his team got in contact with Potentia Renewables after the letter went out to Bala community members. 

“They told us that they know from their history with Bala that the Cranberry Festival [is] a very important part of what we do in the fall and that they will be planning to wrap up that construction by Thanksgiving,” Skoric said in an interview on Sept. 19, one day before the updated notice came out. 

“In the event that it runs long, they would even go so far as to have removed the crane and what have you from the site for the weekend of the Cranberry Festival because they want to, of course, support our local economy.”

Skoric said he hasn’t received any further updates from the company, but their staff assured his team that they intend to make sure there is minimal to no impact on the actual weekend of the Cranberry Festival. 

“They’ve said that they’re going to do all these things to help us, which is phenomenal, and we just have to wait and see when the rubber hits the road that is what’s going to happen,” he said. “They have come on board as a paid sponsor of the Cranberry Festival this year.”

Apart from the construction, preparations for the festival are well underway. Skoric said the team is excited to host everyone again this year. Vendors and artists are booked and ready to go, and organizers are gearing up for the celebrations.

Because it’s his first year as chair, it’s been crazy for him to see how many different people and businesses come together to make the event happen. After missing a festival due to the pandemic, it means that much more to celebrate the 39 festivals and the 40 years of community. It’s a longstanding not-for-profit event that directly supports Bala and the people in it.

“We wouldn’t be able to do it without all of the volunteers and sponsors who work year-round to make it happen, but we also wouldn’t be able to do it without all of our festival attendees,” he said. “These are the people who come every year and who support our community by showing up, by buying their tickets and partaking in everything Bala has to offer.”

Skoric and his fellow organizers encourage attendees to buy their tickets online in advance as the event approaches. Though tickets will still be available at the gate, it helps them know how many people to expect while also offering people the chance to skip the line and save $2 on adult passes. 

“We encourage everybody to come, young [and] old,” Skoric said. “Whether you’ve been to Bala before, it’s your home, or you’ve never been, it is a great opportunity to come celebrate the harvest and support our little town.”

To buy tickets to the Cranberry Festival, click here. For more information on the Bala North Dam, visit the Potentia Renewables website.

The post Swift River Aims To Complete Dam Construction One Day Before Cranberry Festival appeared first on Muskoka411.

Swift River Limited Partnership (SRLP) will be replacing the stoplogs in bays #3 and #4 at the Bala North Dam with sluice gates and repairing the sills in bays #3, #4 and #5.

Construction will begin on September 30th and is anticipated to end October 17th. Should construction take longer, it will not interfere with the Bala Cranberry Festival (work will pause during the Festival weekend and the crane will be removed).

Construction equipment will be in existing parking locations near the dam as shown on the figure to the left. Some traffic disruption is expected (no more than two hours per day) but
one lane of Muskoka Road 169 will always be open and traffic control staff will be present. For additional information on the sluice gate installation and sill repair work please visit our website.

For inquiries regarding the Bala Generating Station or the upcoming construction activities, please contact the Project Manager, Mussawar Ahmad at mahmad@potentiarenewables.com.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

The post Swift River’s Parent Company Issues Construction Notice For Bala North Dam appeared first on Muskoka411.

Work will take place on four nights the week of September 16 and two nights the week of September 23 on Main Street between River Road and Lorne Street. Crews will be working overnight to minimize disruptions to traffic and daytime business activities. Working hours will be from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Some temporary noise and light disturbances may occur during these hours. A noise by-law exemption has been granted for this project. 

Works will include flushing of pipes and CCTV Inspection for maintenance. Residents, business owners, and visitors to the downtown area should expect impacts such as: temporary traffic control measures, limited parking availability in some areas, and increased noise from equipment.  

All surrounding businesses will continue to remain open. Business and private parking lots will have pedestrian and vehicular traffic access. Please follow all posted signage. 

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Announced by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Paul Calandra, at the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, the PPS 2024 provides municipalities with the tools and direction to better plan for and support the growth of their communities. This new policy emphasizes making land available for development, aligning infrastructure with housing needs, and protecting important resources, all while ensuring that the environment and agricultural lands are safeguarded.

“The release of the 2024 Provincial Planning Statement marks a pivotal moment for Ontario’s response to getting more homes built across the province,” said Dave Depencier, OHBA’s Board Chair. “This new framework is a crucial step forward in tackling the housing crisis by streamlining the approvals process and prioritizing the creation of new homes where they are needed most. We are confident that these changes will help build stronger, more vibrant communities across the province.”

The development of the PPS 2024 comes after extensive consultations over the past two years, involving feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including municipalities, the public, and Indigenous communities. The final document reflects a balanced approach to land use planning, ensuring that Ontario can meet its housing needs while also supporting economic development and protecting valuable natural resources.

The OHBA believes that the streamlined policies introduced in the PPS 2024 will help overcome some of the delays and obstacles that have previously hindered housing development. The association is particularly encouraged by the focus on increasing the supply and diversity of housing options, which is vital for meeting the demands of Ontario’s growing population.

“We are at a critical juncture in addressing Ontario’s housing needs,” added Scott Andison, OHBA’s CEO. “The 2024 Provincial Planning Statement provides a clear path forward for creating more housing opportunities, supporting economic growth, and ensuring the sustainability of our communities. We are eager to see municipalities implement these new policies and make progress on building the homes that Ontarians need.”

The post Ontario Home Builders’ Association Welcomes New Provincial Planning Statement Focused On Housing appeared first on Muskoka411.

Power Point Road will be closed between High Falls Road and the Lakeland Generation/Bracebridge Generation Hydro Plant.

Access to the High Falls picnic area and the High Falls viewing area from Brodie Crescent will be maintained during the project.

The post High Falls Bridge Replacement Beginning August 26 appeared first on Muskoka411.

The work includes tree removal, followed by paver repairs, and is anticipated to take approximately six weeks. The work will take place in phases starting with tree removal, followed by stumping and grading, with the final stage being paver repair.

As indicated on the map, the work route will be as follows:

• Start on the north side of Mississaga Street West, at Albert Street.
• Crew will travel east towards Front Street North.
• Cross Front Street North to the south side of Mississaga Street East.
• Crew will travel west towards Albert Street.

The contractors for this project are Forest Ridge Landscaping and Outdoor Decor.

Please note there may be minor disruptions to pedestrian traffic, vehicular traffic and transit. Notices related to Orillia Transit impacts will be issued during the project as required. The City of Orillia is doing everything it can to limit the inconvenience, including working around the hours of operation of downtown businesses as much as possible. It is not expected that stores or restaurants will be asked to close to allow work to happen.

Thank you for your patience and co-operation throughout the duration of the project.

The post Notice Of Downtown Orillia BIA Sidewalk Repairs And Tree Removal Mobilization appeared first on Muskoka411.

Minerva Street reconstruction work will take place between Centre Street and West Street and will include storm sewers, sidewalks, and road resurfacing. Although there will be traffic impacts, the road will be open to local traffic only. During this project, please continue to obey all posted vehicular and pedestrian signage.

All surrounding businesses, the Huntsville Health Care Clinic at the Annex, and the Huntsville Public Library will continue to remain open! Business and private parking lots will have pedestrian and vehicular traffic access. Street parking on Minerva will not be available during construction. Please use nearby municipal parking lots and side streets for parking. To help find parking, see the Town’s online interactive map.

The Transit stop in front of the Huntsville Public Library will be impacted by construction and will be moved temporarily. Town Staff are working with the transit company and other stakeholders to determine a temporary location for the stop. Transit users should stay tuned to Town updates as we will communicate the temporary location for the stop once it is finalized.

For full details on the 2024 Capital Project Program and timing of construction, please visit huntsville.ca/Roads. Or for the latest updates on road construction, road closures, and other traffic disruptions, please subscribe to their newsfeed at Huntsville.ca or follow the Town on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter).

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The upcoming work consists of drainage improvements, culvert replacements, pulverization of existing asphalt, road base grading and compacting, hot mix asphalt paving, granular shouldering, and boulevard restorations.

The work will take place in the following areas:

Kilworthy Road area (starting May 27 to Aug. 30)

This work involves Kilworthy Road, from Highway 11 to just west of Arthur Schulz Road.

Additionally, the project includes a 150-metre section of Arthur Schulz Road, starting from the intersection with Kilworthy Road.

Another section of the project involves Tower Crescent, starting from the intersection with Kilworthy Road.

Narrows Road area (starting May 27 to Aug. 30)

This work involves Narrows Road, from Muskoka Road 169 to North Sunset Bay Road.

Things to keep in mind during construction

• All efforts will be made to minimize inconvenience and disruption.
• Please be aware of all construction activities, vehicles, and people in the project area when passing through.
• A single lane of traffic around the construction zones will be maintained for local traffic and emergency services.
• Should garbage collection be affected by the construction, the contractor will transport garbage to a more suitable location and return empty bins at the end of the day. The Town suggests you place your address on your bins.

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