Council weighs $3.5-million BACE campus request, OKs road and park contracts
Sarnia City Council debated a request for $3.5 million in funding for the BACE Recreation Campus at its June 22 regular meeting, alongside infrastructure contracts totaling more than $1 million and direction to draft a renovictions licensing bylaw. No votes have been confirmed as minutes were not published by press time, but staff recommendations provide the most complete picture of items considered.
BACE Recreation Campus funding
Council considered a funding request of up to $3.5 million for the planned Sarnia BACE Recreation Campus. The item was discussed during the regular meeting, though no decision was recorded in the agenda package. The project is intended to expand recreational services in the community.
Infrastructure contracts
Two construction contracts were on the table:
- Reconstruction of Ontario Street: a $505,238 contract to Clarke Construction Inc.
- Upgrades to Clearwater Ball Diamond #1: a $507,573 contract to Van Roestel Contracting Ltd. (Lucan, ON). A staff report in the June 25 non-agenda mail reinforced this recommendation, noting the award of Tender 26-02 to Van Roestel.
The agenda indicated council would vote on these awards, but results are not yet public.
Renovictions bylaw
Based on results of public engagement, council gave direction to draft a renovictions licensing bylaw. The measure aims to regulate landlord practices around renovictions. A timeline for the draft’s return to council was not specified in the meeting material.
Planning matters
Council held two public hearings:
- An Economic Development Community Improvement Plan.
- A rezoning and Official Plan amendment at 700–718 Cathcart Boulevard. No outcomes from the hearings were available.
Other council news
- **City Hall illumination**: City Hall will light up in safety green on July 6 in support of Canadian Injury Prevention Day, as approved under existing policy. No vote was required.
- **Door-to-door sales licences**: Two licences were issued to Bell Canada for TV, internet, phone and smart-home sales, valid through Dec. 31, 2026.
- **AMO updates**: The Association of Municipalities of Ontario is calling for the reversal of Bill 100, which deals with the appointment of regional chairs, and is promoting a new federal Local Impact Stream offering up to $1 million for community infrastructure.
- **Energy projects**: The Independent Electricity System Operator launched a new process for major energy projects that may affect municipalities.
- **Other reminders**: A grant deadline for public safety mental health supports is July 7; a new Canoe procurement invoicing process begins Aug. 1; residents are reminded to complete the 2026 Census questionnaire.
Coming up
No council meetings or public hearings are scheduled in the next 14 days according to the city’s calendar as of July 5. The next regular meeting date has not been announced.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.