City of Waterloo’s Service Centre open house returns
The City of Waterloo gave residents an inside look at its Service Centre with its annual open house returning this weekend for the first time since the pandemic began.
On Saturday, attendees were invited to check out the city’s trucks and heavy equipment.
“We showcase the operations aspect of the City of Waterloo, including our parks, our public works in general and operations including water services, city utilities, transportation services,” said Ron Ormson, the commissioner of integrated planning and public works with the City of Waterloo.
The event is aimed at providing awareness and clarity on all that goes on behind the scenes.
“It’s a really good opportunity for the community to see where their tax dollars are going with respect to municipal operations,” said Ormson. “To see where the clean water comes from, see how the parks are maintained, understand what it takes to run the city and keep the roads in good condition.”
Ormson added that often times there’s a misunderstanding about the scale of municipal operations.
“They don’t realize that the city is maintained by a whole fleet of trucks, snow plows and all kinds of specialized equipment to take care of the parks and take care of the roads. So, it’s an eye opener for a lot of people to see what happens out of the operations centre here,” he said.
One resident of Waterloo attended the event and said it was a great opportunity to show her children everything that goes on while learning a lot herself.
“All the gardening and growing their own trees and plants and stuff like that. I just assumed it was all purchased from somewhere else and brought in,” she said.
The event also featured a barbecue with all proceeds going towards Supportive Housing of Waterloo Region.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Whooping cough outbreak declared in Newfoundland
Health officials say there is an outbreak of whooping cough in eastern Newfoundland.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.