ISSUE #125

Good morning,

In today’s issue, we cover:

• North end business construction done

• Daily Poll - Do you like it? 

• $1.2 million for building upgrades  

• Lake Superior science setback

• College classes continue despite strike

• Ignace is building homes!

• Rockin’ Recover returns

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - 338 Catherine St! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

Local Businesses

North Core revitalization marks major milestone for Thunder Bay’s downtown

Thunder Bay’s North Core has formally reopened following a multi-year streetscape overhaul that replaced underground infrastructure and re-designed Red River Road and Court Street into a more pedestrian-friendly, “curbless” plaza environment.

The City says wider sidewalks, new lighting, decorative paving, patio/seating zones, and space for public art are intended to boost foot traffic, support local businesses, and make it easier to host events. The completion was celebrated the week of Aug. 19, with a ribbon-cutting on Aug. 21 alongside Harbourfest, with officials encouraging residents to “stroll, shop and dine” in the renewed district; Harbourfest returned to showcase the changes with a ribbon-cutting and evening programming.

The project followed extensive public consultation that began in 2021 and included traffic/parking modelling and design boards for community feedback. With construction barriers now down, the City’s message is that the area is open for business and ready for year-round programming.

Next steps include continuing installations of public art and monitoring how the new street layout functions during events and peak retail periods.

Daily Poll

Today’s question is:

Wednesday’s Results:

You can download the full results (including comments) here in an Excel file (email addresses have been removed for anonymity).

Funding

Three local organizations share $1.2M for building upgrades

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) has awarded a combined $1.2 million to three Thunder Bay organizations for facility upgrades.

According to reporting, recipients include the Coopérative Centre francophone de Thunder Bay, the Vedic Cultural Centre, and the Thunder Bay Museum. Project specifics released so far indicate the Museum is receiving $100,727 to replace two boilers—an energy-efficiency and reliability upgrade—while the Vedic Cultural Centre is set to receive $194,616 for a new roof, a high-efficiency HVAC system, and related improvements.

Local MPP Kevin Holland has recently highlighted NOHFC’s role in financing community infrastructure and cultural assets across the region. Collectively, these grants aim to extend the life of heritage and community facilities, lower operating costs through efficiency upgrades, and keep these spaces accessible for public programming.

Environment

Canadian researcher warns U.S. Great Lakes cuts could set back Lake Superior science

A Thunder Bay–based coordinator for the North Shore of Lake Superior Remedial Action Plans (RAP) says proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cuts for 2026 could diminish binational research capacity on the Great Lakes.

He notes that progress in Thunder Bay Harbour—where some locally caught fish are now considered safe to eat—reflects years of restoration that Canada and the U.S. study together under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

The RAP team recently secured a $346,250 provincial grant for ongoing work, including coastal wetland restoration at the former Superior Fine Papers site with Bare Point Developments and habitat improvements near the Pool 6 cruise ship terminal with the City of Thunder Bay.

The researcher cautions that reductions in U.S. funding would weaken shared datasets and slow ecosystem recovery insights, though local teams will continue their projects toward delisting Thunder Bay as an Area of Concern within roughly five years.

Education

Confederation College says classes continue despite support-staff strike

Full-time support staff at Ontario’s public colleges moved into a legal strike position on Sept. 11, 2025, but Confederation College says academic programs are continuing.

The college has advised students that campuses remain open and faculty (professors, instructors, counsellors, librarians) are not part of the labour action. Students crossing picket lines were told to expect delays at entrances and to allow extra time to get to class. Some services—such as admissions, financial aid, certain library offerings, and IT/help-desk functions—may be slower or operate with limited capacity during the strike period.

SUCCI (the student association), the campus bookstore, cafeterias, security, and the wellness centre remain open, with specific hours published by the college.

Confederation is posting ongoing updates and FAQs for domestic and international students covering transit detours, service hours, and how to access support if appointments or processing are delayed.

Around the North

Ignace opens first-ever call for home-builder proposals

The Township of Ignace has launched its first request for proposals (RFP) to residential builders, seeking submissions for a planned 46-unit subdivision.

Municipal officials say the move aims to expand local housing options and meet anticipated demand, inviting qualified builders to propose designs and delivery timelines.

The initiative reflects broader regional pressure to increase supply across Northwestern Ontario communities, where smaller markets often face limited new-build activity and aging housing stock. By issuing a formal RFP, Ignace is signalling both readiness (in terms of land availability and servicing plans) and a willingness to partner with industry to accelerate construction.

The township is encouraging interested proponents to review parcel details, servicing requirements, and evaluation criteria outlined in the opportunity, with timelines and contact information provided in the RFP notice.

The town’s “first-ever” framing underscores the step-change from ad-hoc infill to a structured, multi-unit expansion designed to attract private-sector interest.

Indigenous

‘Celebrate You: Rockin’ Recovery’ returns to share healing and resilience

Thunder Bay’s annual Rockin’ Recovery event—organized by the Drug Awareness Committee in partnership with the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy and public-health partners—returns this September as a free, family-friendly celebration of recovery.

The event typically features lived-experience speakers, live entertainment, community booths, and activities that promote hope and reduce stigma around substance-use recovery.

City notices describe the day as part of International Recovery Month, emphasizing storytelling, peer support, and community connection. Recent posts from organizers confirm this year’s edition at the CLE Coliseum, inviting residents with lived experience to participate and the broader community to attend.

Over the years, Rockin’ Recovery has grown into a widely supported local tradition, highlighting services available across the region and creating a welcoming space for people at every stage of recovery—as supporters, family members, or those in recovery themselves.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

September 12

Jazz & Old Fashioned Fridays ft Mood Indigo
Weekly waterfront jazz at Anchor & Ore (Delta Hotels)
6:00–9:00 pm
Anchor & Ore, 2240 Sleeping Giant Pkwy
Free entry; menu pricing

Sara Kae — “Do You Think of Me?” Pre-Release Party
Local artists celebrate Sara Kae’s new single at the Paramount
7:00–9:30 pm
Paramount Theatre, 24 Court St S
$25

BAR POLONIA — Fridays Live Music
Weekly live band at the Polish Combatants’ Association (Bar Polonia)
8:00–11:00 pm
Polish Combatants Assoc. Br. No. 1, 209 Cumberland St N
$10 cover

OAKLAHOMA w/ Dual Black, Along The Lines & The Vertebrakers
Noisegrind + hardcore/punk lineup at Black Pirates Pub
9:00 pm
Black Pirates Pub, 215 Red River Rd
$10; 18+

Back to School White Out — Fusion Fridayz (NV Music Hall)
All-white attire dance party with DJ SUPA; drink specials
10:00 pm
NV Music Hall, 228 Red River Rd
Cover TBA; $5 drink specials

Throwback — Live at The Wayland
High-energy cover band in Westfort
10:00 pm
Wayland Bar & Grill, 1019 Gore St W
$5 cove

Live Music ft George Kalousian (Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.)
Solo acoustic set at the brewery taproom
7:30 pm
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co., 712 Macdonell St
Free

Fundraiser for the Dew Drop Inn — The Barn at Windy Lane
Community benefit with live music (Back Forty), prizes & food
4:00–11:55 pm
The Barn at Windy Lane, 273 Everett Dr, Murillo (Thunder Bay area)
$10 cover at the door

September 13

Thunder Bay Health & Wellness Expo
Local wellness makers, demos, and community activities at Goods & Co.
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Goods & Co. Market (downtown Port Arthur)
Price: From $22.63

Rockin’ Recovery
Family-friendly live music and recovery-support organizations—free community event.
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (Coliseum Building)
Price: Free

Storytime with Mz Molly & Friendz
Drag storytime followed by a kids’ crafting session; all ages welcome.
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Mary J.L. Black Library (901 Edward St S)
Price: Free

The Honest Heart Collective – LIVE at Lakehead Beer Co.
Intimate full-band hometown show on the outdoor stage.
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Lakehead Beer Co.
Price: Not listed

ALFIE ZAPPACOSTA LIVE
JUNO-winning singer-songwriter in an intimate Club Room concert.
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Port Arthur Legion Branch 5 (229 Van Norman St)
Price: $35

Whiskey Club: Japanese Whiskey
Red Lion’s quarterly tasting night featuring Japanese whiskies.
Time: 9:00 pm
Location: Red Lion Smokehouse (16 Cumberland St S)
Price: Not listed

GET SCHOOLED! A Lesson on Local Music
Local band showcase (Jordan Humeniuk, The Shapely, Ezra, Dongy).
Time: Doors 9:00 pm; show 10:00 pm
Location: Black Pirates Pub (215 Red River Rd #101)
Price: $10 at the door (19+)

September 14

Good Harvest Farmers’ Market
Downtown street farm fair with local producers, kids’ activities & corn boil
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Goods & Co. Market, 251 Red River Rd (Red River Rd closed Court→St. Paul)
Free

Rotary Peace Day Ceremony
Community gathering for peace at the Tai Chi Garden
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Tai Chi Garden, Marina Park (Prince Arthur’s Landing)
Free

Celebrating Racing in Thunder Bay
Motorsport heritage displays, race cars & live music
12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park, 3190 Hwy 61
$5 (12 & under free

Village Mercantile Market
Handmade vendors & local craft market in the pioneer village
12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park, 3190 Hwy 61
$5 (12 & under free

Thunder Bay Terry Fox Run (Boulevard Lake route)
Non-competitive community run supporting cancer research
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (run starts ~2:00 pm)
Current River Recreation Centre, 450 Dewe Ave
Free; donations welcome

Home of the Day

164 Iris Cres.

(Realtors if you want your home featured - send us an email: [email protected])

2+1 bedrooms
4 bathrooms
1,850 sqft

$724,900

Unique architecture with an in-ground pool!