The City of Oshawa is celebrating its 100+ anniversary in 2024, a year filled with community events, achievements, and the launch of a new strategic plan to guide the city’s future.
2024 marked the Centennial Celebration Year with the official 100+ anniversary kick-off on March 8 at the Regent Theatre in downtown Oshawa. Other centennial highlights included commemorative art and legacy projects and enhanced city events that drew record attendance at Canada Day, the award-winning Peony Festival and Kars on King.
The city introduced a new Oshawa Strategic Plan (OSP). Developed through extensive community engagement, Oshawa Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027: Innovate. Belong. Care. Lead. serves as a roadmap for City priorities through to the year 2027. The plan defines specific goals, action items and key performance indicators featured on an online dashboard.
Below is a snapshot of key highlights that shaped Oshawa this year including some that will be continue to be expanded upon with the OSP through to 2027.
Culture and Economy
Oshawa said it continues to solidify its position as a prime destination for business, innovation, arts and culture.
The city saw several achievements, including:
- Another exceptional year for building permit values, achieving the highest year for industrial values and leading to direct jobs in the city;
- The launch of the new Economic Development Strategy that aims to drive job growth and further investment in the city. The strategy focuses on enhanced trade, diversification and quality of life, and positions Oshawa for future economies, opportunities and overall growth;
- The installation of a new mural on the McMillan Parkade in downtown Oshawa. “Turning the Wheel” by local artist Dani Crosby commemorates the rich history of the John Bolase Warren Flour Mill, which once stood on the site; and,
- Oshawa’s Peony Festival was selected as a finalist for the 2024 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence in the Tourism Event of the Year category as well as Kars on King was recognized by Festivals and Events Ontario (Feo) as one of the best festivals and events in Ontario.
Community
Oshawa said it continues to be recognized as having some of the best neighbourhoods in which to live in Durham Region, a place where everyone belongs.
This year, the city:
- Celebrated the grand opening of Gold Point Wildlife Reserve Butterfly Garden and Dale Hawerchuk Park and the reopening of Sunnyside Park with new park amenities;
- Broke ground and began the Rotary Park Redevelopment Project (Oshawa’s centennial Legacy Project) scheduled to open in summer 2025;
- Added new pickleball courts and two playground areas at Rose Valley Community Park as construction on this new park continues to progress;
- Hosted the city’s inaugural Indigenous Cultural Celebration at Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park;
- Held a traditional Indigenous renaming ceremony in downtown Oshawa and unveiled the new street sign for Debwewin Miikan (Duh-Bway-Win Mee-Can); and,
- Achieved more than 930 pet adoptions, assisted 125 animals through two wellness clinics in partnership with local veterinarians, as well as expanded the Doggie Day Out program.
Sustainable Environment
The city said it strives to provide a safe and sustainable community that enhances everyone’s well-being.
Efforts in 2024 included:
- Oshawa Fire Services expanded its dispatch/alerting operations to cover the entire Durham Region;
- Fire Prevention and Municipal Law Enforcement Services hosted three summer ‘Community Safety in the Parks’ events enjoyed by families across the city;
- The addition of six fully electric vehicles to the fleet, bringing the total number of to 15;
- Extended the active transportation network with the addition of a new pedestrian bridge for Erie Park neighbourhood, connecting pedestrians and cyclists to the city’s trail system;
- completed a community engagement to begin development of the city’s first consolidated Stormwater Management Master Plan which will evaluate the effectiveness of existing infrastructure and develop strategies for sustainable growth;
- Worked with Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (Cloca) to reuse old holiday trees to stabilize stream banks, control erosion, collect sediment, and improve overall stream habitat and water quality;
- Through partnerships, expanded the city’s tree canopy at Gold Point Wildlife Reserve, Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens, Delpark Homes Centre and other natural areas throughout the city;
- Recognized as a Green Building Champion by Durham Greener Buildings Program for Best Energy Performing Fire Station (Fire Hall 1) and received a Climate Leadership Award for the Rotary Park Redevelopment Project that will be powered by electricity, eliminating all fossil-fuel onsite; and,
- Celebrated General Motors’ generous donation of McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve and Fenelon/Venus Park.
Goverance and Service
The city said it aims to be a customer service-centred organization aligned with residents’ and community partners’ needs.
In 2024:
- Introduced an online Oshawa Application Portal available 24/7 that improves customer service and consolidates applying for permits and licenses, checking the status of applications and paying for select services;
- Hosted the second annual Shape Oshawa Open House in May at the Oshawa Centre where community members were invited to learn more about a variety of city programs and services and to have their say on public consultations. To continue the conversation with the city’s leadership team and Mayor Carter, the city hosted a Telephone Open House in September;
- Offered 10 Community Engagement opportunities using Connect Oshawa and in-person forums allowing community members to have their say on things that matter to the city’s growth, improvement and sustainability; and,
- Launched a new podcast, RealTalk Oshawa. Hosted by Mayor Carter, the podcast features authentic conversations with leaders about the important challenges facing urban cities, including Oshawa.
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