ISSUE #120

Good morning,

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

In today’s issue, we cover:

• Art gallery costs

• Daily Poll - Surprised? 

• Climate preparedness money  

• Impaired driving

• Remembrance Day memorial

• Neebing medical location update

• NAN calls for better search & rescue

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - College Heights home! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

Culture

‘We Don’t Really Have Any Other Option Than To Support The Art Gallery,’ Councillor Says

Rising construction costs have pushed the projected budget for the new Thunder Bay Art Gallery to $75 million, a 50% increase from the 2022 estimate, according to Councillor Shelby Ch’ng.

In response, she supports city administration’s recommendation to release the previously approved $5 million municipal contribution from 2017, emphasizing it's necessary “to close in the partially completed building and protect it from the weather.”

The gallery has raised $52 million thus far and needs $23 million more to complete the project. Executive Director Matthew Hills confirmed the gallery is exploring partial openings for fall 2026 and looking into partnerships and grants to bridge the funding gap. Board leaders assure the organization is “turning over every rock” to secure needed support.

Construction is 30% complete as of July.

Daily Poll

Today’s question is:

Monday’s Results:

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

Environment

City Receives $104K For Climate Adaptation Strategy Renewal

The City of Thunder Bay was awarded $104,000 from a federal‑Municipal fund administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to update its Climate Adaptation Strategy.

The funds will support a new strategy tailored to current climate risks—with public and Indigenous engagements, risk and vulnerability assessments, and updated action plans slated for completion by December 2026.

Program lead Amy Coomes highlighted priorities—including improved stormwater infrastructure, forest fire preparedness, and support for socially vulnerable areas. She also praised past low-impact developments that help manage stormwater naturally via vegetation. The project builds on existing work like separating storm and sanitary sewers to reduce flooding.

Lakehead Region Conservation Authority mapping will guide planning for flood-prone areas, especially near urban rivers and the South End.

Police

Driver Found Impaired And Unconscious After Fleeing Collision Scene

A 47-year-old man faces multiple charges after police say he fled the scene of a collision on Kingsway’s 500 block on Monday at around 7 a.m., only to be found unconscious behind the wheel in a parking lot on Arthur Street West.

Officers arriving after witnesses raised concerns of possible impairment. The driver refused to provide a blood sample at the station. He now faces charges including dangerous driving, impaired driving, failure to stop after a collision, and driving while prohibited.

The man was released with a promise to appear in court; no identity has been released.

Veterans

City To Launch Remembrance Day Memorial Banner Project

The City of Thunder Bay, through its Clean, Green and Beautiful Committee and in partnership with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 5, will launch a Remembrance Day Memorial Banner Project.

Families can apply to honour loved ones who served, with banners to be displayed along Memorial Avenue, at the Waverly Park cenotaph, City Hall cenotaph, and other future locations.

City manager John Collin emphasized the project is “another way to honour” veterans. The deadline for applications is Monday, Sept. 15.

The Legion will oversee the banners post-production.

Healthcare

Alternate Sites Sought For Future Neebing Medical Clinic

A long-planned medical clinic in Neebing will not be moving forward at its originally proposed site, but municipal officials stress the effort to secure local healthcare services is still alive.

Developer Joseph Zawada first proposed the clinic in 2019 at the corner of Highway 61 and Boundary Drive, requiring a zoning bylaw amendment because the land was designated as primary agricultural. While council approved the change, Thunder Bay Co-Op Farm Supplies appealed.

Ultimately, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing rejected the amendment in June 2025, citing insufficient justification for converting agricultural land. That decision was final, leading the Co-Op to withdraw its appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Mayor Mark Thibert said the municipality is exploring alternative sites. Options include undeveloped municipal properties such as one on Highway 608, where a clinic could be co-located with a retirement facility, as well as temporary use of the municipal office or Blake Hall, both previously used for health programs.

Virtual care is also being considered. While there is no timeline yet, Thibert hopes discussions will advance within the next year, highlighting the need for accessible care given Neebing’s distance from Thunder Bay.

Indigenous News

NAN Mourns Norwegian Hiker Found Dead, Calls For Better Far North Search And Rescue

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) expressed sorrow and concern following the discovery of Norwegian hiker Steffen Skjottelvik, found deceased along the Hayes River after going missing while hiking in Ontario’s far north.

NAN mourned the loss, noting vigils were held across remote First Nations where Skjottelvik had established connections. Officials praised local volunteers who risked their own safety in ground search efforts and called for improvements to search-and-rescue capacity in northern regions, cautioning that bureaucratic delays can cost lives.

While acknowledging the RCMP’s efforts, NAN stressed that when lives are at stake, governments must better coordinate resources.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

August 27

PIEROGI DAYS!!!
Homemade Polish pierogi, cabbage rolls, soups & more—also available frozen
Polish Combatants’ Association – 209 N. Cumberland Street
9:00 am–4:30 pm
FREE

Live on the Waterfront – Summer Send-Off
A finale evening concert to send off the summer season at Marina Park
Marina Park – Water Street
6:00 pm–9:00 pm
FREE

Quiz Night At Red Lion
Pub trivia night—teams up to 6, $2/person, bring your own pen
Red Lion Smokehouse – 16 Cumberland Street S
Registration 7:30 pm; Trivia starts ~8:00 pm
$2 per person

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar @ Shooters Tavern
Weekly piano bar night with Thunder Bay’s “Piano Man”
Shooters Tavern – 377 Memorial Avenue
8:00 pm
FREE

Ira Johnson Band @ Howl at the Moon
All-ages live performance by local band.
Howl at the Moon – 8 Cumberland Street St
8:00 pm
FREE

Drone Show
A spectacular after-dark drone light show over the waterfront to cap off Summer Send-Off night
Marina Park – Water Street
9:30 pm
FREE

August 28

Live on the Waterfront – Summer Send-Off Concert & Drone Light Show
Final night of the waterfront summer concert series, followed by a spectacular drone light show over Marina Park
Marina Park – Water Street
6:00 pm–9:00 pm concert; Drone show after ~9:30 pm
FREE

Thursday Night Group Run
Fun and social 5 km community run/walk around Boulevard Lake—open to all fitness levels
Meet at Rita Street parking lot (Lyon Blvd W.)
6:00 pm–7:00 pm
FREE

Summer in the Parking Lot – The Commoners
Live all-ages urban/indie music concert outdoors in the Superior Inn Hotel parking lot featuring The Commoners
Superior Inn Hotel Parking Lot – 555 Arthur Street West
6:00 pm
$7–$20 (ticketed)

Karaoke Every Thursday @ Bar Polonia
Open-mic karaoke night at the Polish Combatants’ Association—donation-based
Bar Polonia – 209 N. Cumberland Street
8:00 pm–11:00 pm
Donations welcome

August 30

Kakabeka Farmers Market
Local farmers and artisans offering seasonal produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts
4554 Hwy 11/17 (beside Kakabeka Legion, Kakabeka Falls)
9:30 am–12:30 pm
FREE

Crossroad Music Summer Series
Free all-ages concert showcasing regional musical talent in a garden-style venue
Crossroad Music – 632 City Road (Fort William First Nation)
2:00 pm–8:00 pm
FREE

Vinyl Saturdays at Red Lion Smokehouse
A relaxed afternoon of vinyl spinning and casual pub vibes
Red Lion Smokehouse – 16 Cumberland Street South
3:00 pm–9:00 pm
FREE

DJ Rogue at The Foundry
Nighttime DJ set in an industrial, warehouse-style venue—party into the night!
The Foundry – 242 Red River Road
10:00 pm
FREE

Home of the Day

447 Dublin Ave.

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

3+3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
1,159 sqft

$474,900

6 bedrooms and two full kitchens!