The activeOshawa guide is now available and features a number of motivational and creative programs and workshops for all ages and abilities in the spring and summer edition.

Discover some of the challenging new fitness classes designed help you achieve your fitness goals such as:

• H.I.I.T. Outside, a high intensity interval training on City streets, trails and parks;
• Try out a different fitness class each week at Mix it UP;
• Aqua Cross Training provides a great work out in the pool followed by sculpting exercises on deck;
• Strengthen your core and focus your Zen with Barefoot Training, Yoga Paddleboard, Tune up and Vinyassa Heat;
• Inspire the young dancer in a dance workshops, or new Acro, Hip Hop, Ballet and Lyrical classes;
• Allow your children and teens to build positive relationships and prepare for their future at the Youth and Leadership Workshop Series.

With so many choices available, there is something for everyone and these are just some of the new exciting leisure pursuits. Registration is now open! Start planning for skating lessons, arts programs, summer camps and more; register early to avoid disappointment.

“Registration for spring and summer programs are now open whether you want to work on improving your personal fitness or learn some dance steps, it’s all in the new activeOshawa guide,” said Councillor Bob Chapman Chair of the Community Services Committee. “There’s something for all ages, so have a look, pick a program, register and get active Oshawa!”

The Spring Summer activeOshawa Guide is now available for pick-up at City recreation facilities, Service Oshawa and public libraries. Non-resident registration begins on Wednesday, March 2.

For more information, visit www.oshawa.ca/activeOshawa or call Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311. For recreation news, follow “activeOshawa” on Twitter and Facebook.

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

Oshawa Mayor John Henry addressed a full room of business and community leaders today at the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce’s annual Mayor’s Lunch.

“2015 will be remembered as the year that we showcased Oshawa to the world,” said Oshawa Mayor Henry in his State of the City Address.

Mayor Henry outlined some of the high-profile awards the City of Oshawa has recently received, including:

• Smart21 Community of 2016 by the Intelligent Community Forum
• Top 10 for real estate value in Canada by MoneySense Magazine
• Top 100 Neighbourhood (downtown Oshawa) for investment by Canadian Real Estate Wealth Magazine
• Top City of the Future by fDi Intelligence, Financial Times UK

He then turned to Oshawa’s bright future.

“Oshawa is in the right place and offers access, talent and value to business,” said Mayor Henry.

Mayor Henry highlighted the changes that are happening in the city, the City’s focus on economic growth and prosperity, and opportunities for the future.

Future opportunities included the GO Train Lakeshore East Extension through Oshawa to Bowmanville; growth in the energy technologies sector in solar power, battery storage and alternative generators; and investment in the fields of automotive engineering and the next generation vehicle.

The mayor stressed that, collaboratively, Oshawa's education institutions, research facilities, businesses and partners are creating new opportunities for businesses and furthering the city’s economic growth.

He accredited Oshawa’s institutions – Durham College, Trent University Durham, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Lakeridge Health and LHEARN Centre – for their specialized training, research and development and unique programming.

To support entrepreneurship and innovation, he spoke to CORE21, Spark Centre and the wide range of start-up programs available in Oshawa to help businesses achieve faster market entry.

“Oshawa is fast becoming known as a city that opens doors for, and is shaped by, new start-ups,” said Mayor Henry. “For over 100 years, Oshawa has been built by entrepreneurs and business leaders – from Colonel Sam to the Lovell’s, Peacock’s and Mackie’s, just to name a few.”

“With support from our local organizations such as the BIA and Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, our businesses can network, establish local supply chains, and operate in a growing community. They can do research at Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology to discover new products and processes,” added Mayor Henry.

Mayor Henry emphasized that Oshawa is open for business and focuses on internal and global outreach. He discussed Oshawa’s unique partnerships and how they are key to attracting new businesses and investment to the city. As examples, he mentioned recent delegations from Brazil, Cuba, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, People’s Republic of China, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.

He concluded his speech by stating that Oshawa is well positioned to continue to grow, and that the success and future of the city is built on the successes and stories of Oshawa’s businesses and community partners.

For Business and Investment News, visit our webpage or follow @InvestOshawa on Twitter.

Cast your vote and help determine the City’s next public art installation

The City of Oshawa and Durham College are encouraging residents to go online and vote for their favourite public art mural contender. The winning design will be installed on the retaining wall outside City Hall, along Centre Street.

The murals, designed by Durham College’s School of Media, Art and Design Community Collaboration students, were developed based on creative direction provided by the 146 Oshawa community members who shared their aspirations through an online survey late last year.

The City of Oshawa and guest reviewer Linda Jansma, Senior Curator at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, have shortlisted three designs and now look to the public for the final decision. Voting is available online on Connect Oshawa, or in person at Service Oshawa until Sunday, February 21.

"You've given us your ideas on the mural, and now it is time to pick one,” said Councillor Bob Chapman, Chair of the Community Services Committee. "Have your say and vote for what you would like to see in front of your City Hall."

The voting will round out the development phase of the project, and the installation phase will begin in late Spring.

“Oshawa is transforming itself,” said Greg Murphy, Dean of the School of Media, Art and Design at Durham College. “Our Fine Art students have become more fully immersed in community life, and are enthusiastic about this opportunity to work with the City to enhance the cultural resources and experiences of Oshawa.”

The design and installation of the mural follows the City’s Public Art Policy, and connects to the Culture Counts: Oshawa’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Plan key strategy of “creating vibrant places and spaces”. As part of the Civic Square revitalization, the mural will become a focal point of the space’s landscape.

The Durham College Fine Art students involved in the project include Alex Duffy, Stephanie Galanis, Shawn Robinson Gray, Allanah Larsen, Maria McGarny, Vincent S. F. Neal, Kristen Sali, Schott Shepel, and Kristie Yuill.

Learn more about the project.

The City of Oshawa and community partners invite families to the Healthy Kids Community Challenge “Run. Jump. Play. Family Day” event on Monday, February 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Civic Recreation Complex (99 Thornton Road South).

This event will highlight Oshawa’s Healthy Kids Community Challenge, which includes numerous community partners. In 2015, Oshawa along with 44 communities across Ontario received provincial funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to promote healthy eating, physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices for children 12 and under in the community. Oshawa received $1.25 million from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, to implement the Healthy Kids Community Challenge over the next three years.

“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.”

The “Run. Jump. Play. Family Day” event is an action-packed afternoon of free activities, including:

• indoor and outdoor activity stations for children ages 6 to 12
• batting cages
• free swimming (wristbands in effect): 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• tot activities (with parental supervision) for children ages 1 to 5
• jumping castles
• face painting, balloon twisting and crafts
• free nutritional snacks, hot chocolate and give-a-ways (while supplies last)

“Bring the whole family out to our Civic Recreation Complex for the Healthy Kids Community Challenge –­ it is a great way to spend Family Day,” said Councillor Bob Chapman, Chair of the Community Services Committee.

Wristbands will be required to participate in the leisure swims, and will be available when the doors open at 12:45 p.m. and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Indoor shoes are required for the indoor activity stations and batting cages.

Event parking will be available at the Civic Recreation Complex. Additionally, families can hop aboard a free shuttle bus leaving from either Dr. C.F. Cannon Public School (1196 Cedar Street) or Northview Community Centre (150 Beatrice Street East). The free shuttle bus service will start at 12:30 p.m. and go to the Civic Recreation Complex every 30 minutes from both locations (accessible buses will also be available). The last shuttle will depart the Civic Recreation Complex at 4:30 p.m. All children 12 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian who is at least 14 years of age.

The “Run. Jump. Play. Family Day” event is made possible through partnerships with Balanced Nutrition Co., Boys and Girls Club of Durham, Children’s Activity and Responsible Eating (C.A.R.E.) program, Durham Catholic District School Board, Durham District School Board, Durham Region Health Department, Loblaw Companies Ltd., Métis Nation of Ontario, Oshawa Community Health Centre, Oshawa Public Libraries, YMCA of Durham and YWCA of Durham. For additional event information, visit Oshawa's Healthy Kids webpage.

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

The City of Oshawa was honoured today by the Ontario Public Works Association (O.P.W.A.) and received the 2015 O.P.W.A. Project of the Year Award in the Transportation $2 - $10 million category for the Conlin Road West Project.

The $10 million Conlin Road West Project included constructing a new bridge and widening the two-lane rural road to a four-lane arterial road with sidewalks, a median, cycling lanes, L.E.D. lighting and other improvements. Additionally, a portion of the Oshawa Creek was realigned using best practices in watercourse restoration to support the creek’s ecological systems. This work extended from just west of Stevenson Road North easterly towards Founders Drive at UOIT and Durham College.

The project also included the construction of a modern roundabout at the intersection of Thornton Road North and Conlin Road West as an integral part of the overall transportation improvements in the area.

“The growth in Oshawa has simply been amazing, and this capital project ensures our residents and businesses have the infrastructure they need,” said Councillor John Aker, Chair of the Development Services Committee. “Completion of Conlin Road West is a major infrastructure project that will support growth in the northwest area of the city that includes new residential subdivisions, university and college campuses, the Highway 407 East Extension and planned commercial developments.”

The Conlin Road West project was part of the City’s annual capital works program that identified road works, engineering projects and other infrastructure priorities, including road rehabilitation, sidewalk construction, watercourse projects and cycling facilities.

To learn more about capital works and infrastructure projects, visit www.oshawa.ca/infrastructurerenewal.

Creativity is the focus of a new opportunity for local artists, graphic designers and illustrators. The creative community is invited to submit design proposals to support the 2016 marketing initiatives for City culture programs, services and events. The call is open to any individual or business based in Oshawa.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 19 at 4:00 p.m. Submitted design/artwork proposals must meet the following criteria and include:

• Cover letter and resume
• A minimum of 3 samples of past work and/or link to an online portfolio
• Demonstrated commitment and ability to meet timelines
• Ability to provide all final working files in Adobe CS 5.5 or newer

An interview or presentation may be part of the process. The successful candidate will receive $750 per campaign for their design and/or artwork. A minimum of three campaigns requiring design/artwork will be awarded to the successful candidate in 2016.

"I know Oshawa has many talented and creative people and here's a chance for some to show their abilities and assist us to advance our culture programs," said Councillor Bob Chapman Chair of the Community Services Committee. "If you're one of these people we want to hear from you."

Additional details and submission requirements are available online at www.oshawa.ca/culturepromo.

For updates on the City of Oshawa Culture branch, visit www.oshawa.ca/culturecounts or follow “OshawaCulture” on Twitter or “CultureCountsOshawa” on Facebook.

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

Local minor hockey organizations came together during the Rogers Hometown Hockey festivities on December 26 and 27 to raise funds and non-perishable food donations for Feed the Need Durham.

As part of the outdoor hockey festival, local minor hockey – Oshawa Church Hockey League (O.C.H.L.), Oshawa Girls Hockey Association (O.G.H.A.), Oshawa Minor Hockey Association (O.M.H.A.) and Neighbourhood Association Sports Committee (N.A.S.C.) Hockey – encouraged the community to attend the event and bring non-perishable food items for charity.

All four organizations worked together to collect food and monetary donations, while Durham Dodge Chrysler provided a courtesy vehicle to “Stuff a Dodge” with the food items.

At the end of the two-day event, minor hockey collected three overflowing barrels of non-perishable food items and $1,092 in monetary donations (which included minor hockey donating their $500 honorarium from Rogers Hometown Hockey back to the community).

Feed the Need Durham is a food distribution warehouse in Oshawa that serves emergency food providers in Durham Region, including food banks, soup kitchens, shelters and drop-in centres.

Rogers Hometown Hockey was a free outdoor event held at City Hall on December 26 and 27, 2015. The hockey-themed weekend featured activities for all ages, appearances by NHL alumni including Darcy Tucker and Gary Roberts, and a live broadcast of the Toronto Maple Leafs game with host Ron McLean and a special appearance by Don Cherry.