Sign up at www.oshawa.ca/subscribe for heat-related program updates

The City of Oshawa has just the thing to keep you and the family cool all summer long.

The City operates two outdoor pools – Rotary Pool and Camp Samac Pool – that will open for the season on Monday, June 20.

Beginning on June 20, Lakeview Park Beach will also open for the season with City lifeguards are on duty at the beach daily between 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (weather permitting). The City reminds residents to check with the Durham Region Health Department at www.durham.ca/health or 1-888-777-9613 to ensure that the beach is safe for swimming.

Enjoy a family outing and cool down with the family and friends at a neighbourhood splash pad. The City’s nine splash pad locations, located throughout the community, are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Accessible splash pads are located at Baker Park and Lakeview Park, as well as at Legends Centre, which also includes an accessible playground.

“The kids will be finished school soon and the hot summer will be upon us, so if you're looking for a place the family can cool down drop by one of our splash pads or pools,” said Bob Chapman, Chair of the Community Services Committee. “It’s a great way to beat the heat.”

Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to join in the fun at the City’s free drop-in playground program that begins July 11 at various neighbourhood parks. Trained leaders will lead fun and exciting play opportunities, including games, sing-a-longs and crafts.

For more information on swim schedules, splash pad locations and the playground program, visit www.oshawa.ca/recreation. Follow “activeOshawa” on Twitter and Facebook for the latest recreation news.

On days when the temperature reaches 30 degrees Celsius or above at 4:00 p.m. or when heat alerts are issued, the City may extend our outdoor pool and splash pad hours until sunset and may also extend lifeguard supervision at Lakeview Park beach. Additionally, on these days, the drop-in playground program may be cancelled. Subscribe at www.oshawa.ca/subscribe to receive “Facility & Program” notifications via email.

Visit www.oshawa.ca/emergencynews for tips on how to prepare your family for extreme heat conditions.

For updates on the City of Oshawa, visit www.oshawa.ca or follow “OshawaCity” on Twitter and Facebookand “CityofOshawa” on Instagram.

The City’s latest video for the Our Oshawa campaign takes viewers inside the Canadian Automotive Museum to capture the city’s rich automotive history. This is the third installment in the video series and it features Alex Gates, Manager and Curator at the Canadian Automotive Museum, providing insight into the museum’s unique collection of cars.

The Canadian Automotive Museum was established in 1962 as a community project and was later incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1964. Located at 99 Simcoe St. S., the museum has 18,000 square feet of dedicated exhibit space filled with both Canadian and imported cars.

“The automotive industry is very much a part of Oshawa’s history,” says Councillor Amy McQuaid-England, Chair of the Corporate Services Committee. “It’s great to see that the community is exploring past and present accomplishments throughout our city. I hope people continue to engage and share their Our Oshawa stories.”

Videos for the Our Oshawa campaign will continue to be filmed and released throughout the year, all with a central focus on achievement, culture and positivity within our community. Other videos in the series feature The Robert McLaughlin Gallery and Spark Centre.

Residents are encouraged to share their stories about what Oshawa means to them online at Connect Oshawa (www.connectoshawa.ca). It is these stories that will inspire future videos and promotional materials, which will be available throughout the city and posted on the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

For updates on the City of Oshawa, visit www.oshawa.ca or follow “OshawaCity” on Twitter, Facebookand “CityofOshawa” on Instagram. Subscribe to the City’s YouTube Channel for more videos.

Join the festivities at Lakeview Park on July 1, as the City of Oshawa, with support from presenting sponsor Auto Workers Community Credit Union (A.W.C.C.U.), present a spectacular day of fun and entertainment at our annual Canada Day Celebration.

The celebration begins at 2:00 p.m. and features a fantastic lineup of entertainment, including performances by:

• The Heat
• Stacey Bannon
• Eric Lambier
• Sacha
• Jabel
• The Doozies
• Trish Robb
• Hairy Holler

The official opening ceremonies will take place on the main stage at 4:30 p.m. The day will wrap up with a grand finale fireworks display presented by the A.W.C.C.U., which will begin around 10:00 p.m., off the shore of Lake Ontario.

Action in the family zone includes a variety of activities for all ages featuring Jungle Cat World, President’s Choice ®Super Dogs and Zoo to You. Additional highlights for the day include beach volleyball, a magician, jumping castles, face painting, acts on the community stage and so much more. New attractions will take place at the beach this year, including interactive sand castle building with Sandqube Sand Sculpture and a family friendly wrestling demonstration performed by Pro Wrestling Eclipse.

“Another year has come and gone and we are getting ready again to celebrate Canada’s birthday with a great event at Lakeview Park,” said Councillor Bob Chapman, Chair of the Community Services Committee. “We again thank our presenting sponsor the Auto Workers Community Credit Union, our partners, and of course City staff for making this an amazing day of family fun topped off by a magnificent fireworks display – join us on July 1st.”

The City encourages guests to take a green approach when travelling to Lakeview Park. Consider leaving your vehicle at home and hop aboard a shuttle bus, ride a bike or take advantage of Oshawa’s amazing trail system.

Free shuttle bus service from the Oshawa Centre parking lot will start at 1:00 p.m. and run every 15 minutes (accessible buses will be available). Following the fireworks, shuttle buses will return to the Oshawa Centre with connections to select Oshawa bus routes.

A free bike corral located at the fenced ball diamond in Lakeview Park will provide cyclists with an area to lock up their bikes from 1:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.

Admission to the Canada Day event is free; however, a nominal fee for some activities may apply. A complete schedule of the day’s activities is available on our Canada Day webpage and will be posted at Lakeview Park on July 1.

The City’s 2016 Canada Day Celebration is made possible through community partnerships: Bell, COMRA, Department of Canadian Heritage, Durham Radio (KX 96, CKDO, 94.9 The Rock), E.M.S., Durham Regional Police Service, Jubilee Pavilion, Long & McQuade, Oshawa Central Council of Neighbourhood Associations, Oshawa Centre, Oshawa Museum, Oshawa Port Authority, Oshawa This Week and OVERT.

The City of Oshawa and Heritage Oshawa unveiled a plaque today in Memorial Park to recognize Pedlar People Limited for its important contribution to Oshawa’s industrial history.

“The Pedlar history spans over 155 years. Today, on the former site of the company’s operations, we honour Pedlar People Limited for its significant contributions to Oshawa and the great city that it is today,” said Mayor John Henry.

“It is important that Heritage Oshawa and City Council continue to work together to recognize historically significant locations throughout our great city,” said Councillor John Aker, Chair of Development Services Committee. “As Oshawa grows and changes it is essential that we remember and preserve the early history of the city.”

The Pedlar family arrived in Skae’s Corners (Oshawa) in 1841. In 1861, the family opened a small store selling metal kitchenware at Bond and Simcoe streets. In 1872, the store moved to Memorial Park where an old stable was converted into a small metal stamping plant. By 1894, the company had become the “largest sheet metal factory in the British Empire” known internationally for their metal roofing systems.

In 1911, the company officially became Pedlar People Limited. The company was one of the great industries in Oshawa that provided steady employment for the area. Pedlar People Limited played a pivotal role during World War II, producing shells and cartridge cases to be shipped overseas. Like many of its contemporaries, Pedlar People Limited employed female workers in the factory to replace their male counterparts who had gone overseas to serve.

The company transferred out of the Pedlar family in 1976 when it was sold to a Toronto holding company. The company officially closed in 1982.

“Heritage Oshawa supports Council’s decision to honour the Pedlar family for its significant contribution to the growth of the City of Oshawa,” said Diane Stephen, Chair of Heritage Oshawa.

Heritage Oshawa is the City’s Municipal Heritage Committee, made up of Council appointed volunteer members from the community. Heritage Oshawa advises Council on matters relating to the conservation, education and promotion of Oshawa’s cultural heritage resources. For more information, visit the Heritage Oshawa webpage.

The City of Oshawa invites the community to attend Skip Around & Chalk It Up at the South Oshawa Community Centre on June 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free! Chalk, water and music will be provided; however, attendees are asked to bring their own jump ropes.

This family friendly event is part of the City’s commitment to the Healthy Kids Community Challenge that includes numerous community partners and promotes physical activity, healthy eating and healthy lifestyle choices for children 12 and under in the community.

“This event is a great way for the whole family to have fun while getting some exercise,” said Councillor Bob Chapman, Chair of the Community Services Committee. “Our Healthy Kids Community Challenge is not just for the kids, and I encourage the moms and dads to join in.”

In 2015, 45 communities across Ontario, including Oshawa, received provincial funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Oshawa will receive up to $1.25 million in funding to implement the Healthy Kids Community Challenge.

“The City of Oshawa accepts the challenge,” said Oshawa Mayor John Henry. “We’re thrilled to work with our community partners to help our kids get and stay active and learn about healthy lifestyles.”

Visit our Healthy Kids webpage for more event information and details. To complete our Healthy Kids survey on choosing water instead of sugar-filled drinks when thirsty, visit the Connect Oshawa engagement website or visit us in-person at Service Oshawa and City recreation facilities.

For social media updates on the Healthy Kids Community Challenge province-wide challenge, follow #HealthyKidsON. For Oshawa’s Healthy Kids Community Challenge updates, follow #HealthyKidsOSH and “activeOshawa” on Twitter and Facebook.