From the significant reconstruction work in Port Hope’s downtown core to the opening of a new local child care centre in collaboration with Northumberland County, the Municipality of Port Hope is encouraging residents to take a look back at some of the developments in their community over the past 12 months.
The Municipality of Port Hope has announced the launch of its “2024 Year in Review” webpage, which is now available for the public to peruse on the municipal website.
The digital resource aims to capture the municipality’s key achievements and initiatives during the past year.
Kate Ingram, communications manager for the Municipality of Port Hope, shared with kawarthaNOW her thoughts around what she hopes residents and the public glean from having the resource at their fingertips.
“The aim of the 2024 Year in Review is to showcase the key projects, services, and decisions that shape the community while providing residents with a clear and accessible overview of municipal operations,” Ingram said.
“By highlighting accomplishments and initiatives, the Year in Review fosters transparency and helps residents better understand the impact of municipal services on their daily lives.”
This is the second year Port Hope has spotlighted its year in review on the municipal website, Ingram noted.
The resource is organized by department, aiming to provide an easy-to-navigate format for users to explore detailed insights into the projects, initiatives, and services that have shaped the community.
Each department’s section provides an overview of the departmental efforts, from significant projects to the day-to-day operations that contribute to Port Hope’s growth and well-being, a media release noted.
“The 2024 Year in Review provides an opportunity to reflect on the hard work and commitment of our staff,” said Tonia Bennett, interim chief administrative officer for the Municipality of Port Hope, in a statement.
“It demonstrates the exceptional progress we’ve made while setting the stage for future growth and development. We’re proud of our accomplishments and excited about the continued momentum in the year ahead.”
In addition to departmental updates, the year in review includes a section dedicated to council’s major achievements. The section aims to offer a snapshot of the decisions and policy advancements made over the past year, focusing on initiatives that support sustainable development, enhance inclusivity, and promote community well-being.
“As we review 2024, we recognize the many ways the municipality delivers essential services, programs and initiatives that support our whole community every day,” stated Municipality of Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky.
“Our dedicated staff play a vital role in maintaining and enhancing these services, from infrastructure and public safety to community programs and environmental initiatives. I’m proud of their efforts and the progress we’ve made together, and I look forward to building on this momentum in 2025.”
A few of the highlighted accomplishments are listed below.
Walton Street reconstruction work
Council broke ground on “Phase 2” of the Walton Street reconstruction in late April 2024, completing the project on time and on budget by fall. The community celebrated the milestone at the Candlelight Festival. During Phase 2, council approved free transportation and allocated parking ticket revenue to the Heritage Business Improvement Area in a move to support downtown business continuity.
A new child care centre
In collaboration with Northumberland County, the municipality facilitated the opening of a new child care centre at the former Ruth Clarke Activity Centre, providing 30 new spots for children in the community.
Loyalist College Port Hope campus renovation
In September 2024, Port Hope welcomed Loyalist College students into the newly renovated Port Hope campus on Pine Street, “marking an exciting chapter for the college and our community.”
Port Hope Walk-in Clinic
In collaboration with other partners, council supported and endorsed the re-opening of the Port Hope Walk-in Medical Clinic on Toronto Road. According to Northumberland County’s director of health and human services Glenn Dees, people are visiting the clinic for issues such as fever and systemic infections, respiratory issues, injury issues, and skin allergies — “the typical things people would go to see their primary care provider for, for the most part, if they have a primary care provider.”
Transportation opportunities
Council passed a bylaw to remove municipal barriers for vehicle-for-hire providers like Y Drive, Lyft, and Uber, effective June 1, 2024. The move targeted improving transportation options, removing taxi restrictions and attracting new providers.
Additionally, after much advocacy from the municipality, VIA Rail resumed its early train route to Toronto in the spring, benefiting local commuters.
The 2024 Year in Review also encompasses some of the municipality’s “less visible successes, providing valuable insight into the efforts that keep Port Hope running smoothly day-to-day.”
To check out the year in review, visit porthope.ca/year-in-review.
