News

Sports Facilities Naming Rights Considered

While it may not be the same as the Rodgers Centre, or Scotiabank Arena, some of our very own sports facilities might be getting corporate names attached to them.

City council is considering granting naming rights to Thunder Bay recreational facilities.

A report was submitted recommending councillors approve a three-year naming rights implementation plan.

Naming rights generally have a multi-year contract and can have different levels of naming.

Primary naming rights for a single-use facility can range from $75,000 to $500,000 ranging from a 5 to 15-year commitment.

We wouldn’t be the first in NWO to do it. The City of Kenora has secured $700,000 in name rights sponsorships for three of its rec and tourism facilities since 2022.

Maybe they could use the money to offset our property taxes….? 🤣

Daily Poll

Should the city sell naming rights?

88% of readers said the city should support the lithium refinery.

The naysayers mostly were speaking about the environmental impact and that more analysis should be conducted.

Today’s question:

Transportation

Commercial Vehicles Lead Fatal Collisions

This might not be news to most, but, according to data collected by the OPP, commercial vehicles led the way in fatal collisions in 2024.

According to the OPP Northwest region, there were 21 fatal highway collisions involving a vehicle of any kind in 2024.

13 of those involved commercial vehicles.

And just so we’re all on the same page, a commercial vehicle is a tractor-trailer or other large truck.

That number (13) is an increase of 30% over the five-year average leading up to 2024 of 10 fatal collisions involving a commercial vehicle.

The report didn’t say how many were on Dawson Rd, but we all know that’s a scary stretch these days.

Police

Drug Impaired Rivalling Drunk Impaired

According to the Thunder Bay Police, the number of people who get behind the wheel and drive while impaired by drugs is almost the same as those who are alcohol-impaired.

We’re barely one month into 2025, and already the TBPS has laid 28 drug-impaired driving charges.

During the 2024 RIDE Campaign, police laid 83 drug-impaired and 81 alcohol-impaired chargers.

Police say drug-impaired drugs of choice are cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and cannabis.

Seriously. No words. 🤬

Education

LU Veterinarian Partnership

For the first time in six years, Lakehead University (LU) hosted an in-person report to the community.

The announcement, which was presented by the new President and Vice-Chancellor, highlighted some of the new developments coming to the university.

Chief among those, if you haven’t guessed yet, is a partnership for a new veterinarian program in conjunction with the University of Guelph’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

The goal is to bring more vets into northern Ontario to help make up for the shortfall currently being experienced.

A vet is as hard to come by as a family doctor, and while it may not seem like a huge deal if you aren’t a pet person, a larger concern for you might be the lack of support for our local farm community that vets bring.

This is some good post-secondary news, after a rough 6-12 months with the large drop in international student revenue.

Politics

Tbay Council Made Some Decisions

On top of ratifying the $600+ million operating budget for 2025, city council was also busy approving, and denying, a bunch of other measures.

On the chopping block was offering pet burial services in city cemeteries. Ultimately the city determined they just don’t have the space.

With the current rate of dying, the city estimates they have seven to 10 years of capacity remaining.

On the yes side of the coin, council has decided to undertake the aforementioned parking study on Sunrise Boulevard. But don’t expect any fast action. The report won’t be ready until 2026.

And in the nah-we-don’t-feel-like-it column, the city has deferred deciding on the outdoor rink options.

Back in June, it was asked that the city investigate the impact of climate change on city outdoor rinks.

And that all started, if you remember, back in 2023, when council recommended closing 31 of the 39 outdoor rinks.

Well, that went over like a lead balloon so that too was deferred!

Stay tuned…

Indigenous News

Economic Development Conference Sells Out

The second annual Neeganii-Iishawin gathering has been a smash success!

Organizers say they were overwhelmed with registrants, delegates, and representatives.

The goal of the conference is to help economic developers learn and take back to their communities plans they can implement to suit their community needs.

The six organizations, representing more than 30 communities across Northwestern Ontario came together to host the conference, included:

• Windigo Community Development Corporation

• Independent First Nations Alliance

• Shibogama First Nations Council

• eeaytinook Okimakanak

• ThawiKayhiGan Group

• Matawa First Nations

Speakers were brought in from all across Canada for the event.

Based on the reception, organizers are anticipating future years for the conference

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

Name That Tune
Live musical trivia, beer & cocktails
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.
Feb 12 @7pm
$ FREE

Young Frankenstein
Live theatre
Paramount Theatre
Feb 12-15 @ 7:30pm
$28

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar
Live music
Shooter’s Tavern
Feb 12 @ 8pm
$ FREE

‘Sincerely, Me’ Cabaret with Cambrian Players
Live music, comedy
The Foundry
Feb 12 @ 7:30pm
$15

Fiona O’Brien Comedy Tour
Live comedy
The Foundry
Feb 13 @ 8pm
$25-$30

Brayden King with Throwback
Live musical performance
The Outpost
Feb 13 @ 9pm-11pm
$25

Karaoke
Live music
Feb 13

• Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 5

• Howl at the Moon (Sober Karaoke)

• Norteños Cantina

• Polis Combatant’s Association - Branch 1

• The Waterhouse

• The Alley

4Play
Valentine’s date night
The Barrel House
Feb 14 @ 6pm-8pm
$49 (for 2 people)

TBSO Candlelight - Will You Be My Valentine?
Live musical performance
Urban Abbey
Feb 14 @ 7:30pm
$75

Misfits Matchmaking: Valentine’s Single Social
Singles come to mingle for Valentine’s
Goods & Co.
Feb 14 @ 7:30pm-10pm
$10

Disco of Love Retro Valentine’s Party
Live music and dancing (disco, funk, 80s)
The Foundry
Feb 14 @10pm
$5

NV Valentine’s Party
Live music and dancing
NV Music Hall
Feb 14 @ 10pm
$5-$10

The JB Band
Live music
Fort William Curling Club
Feb 14 @ 10pm
$ FREE

Karaoke
Live music
Feb 14

• The Hodder

• The Social

• The Bar

• The Waterhouse

Family Day Weekend Dance (All Ages)
Live music and dancing
South Gillies Community Centre
Feb 15 @ 6pm-9pm
$5-$10

Snowed In Comedy Tour 2025
Live comedy show
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
Feb 15 @ 7:30pm
$50

Consortium Aurora Borealis - Hungarian Strings
Live musical performance (stringed instruments)
St. Paul’s United Church
Feb 15 @ 7:30pm
$15-$25

Karaoke
Live music
Feb 8

• Westfort Prosvita

• Howl at the Moon (sober karaoke)

• The Hodder

• Norteños Taqueria

• The Social

• The Bar

Musical Open House
Free musical performance for the community
Unitarian Place
Feb 16 @ 4pm-6pm
$ FREE

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