The Winona Bookmobile visit on Friday, August 22 (11am-Noon) is cancelled due to the Winona Peach Festival. It is expected to resume the following week. Thank you for your understanding.
Bookmobile Modified Service
Published:
Friday, August 15, 2025 - 2:00pm
Turner Park - Mid-Day Fire Drill, September 3
Due to a mid-day fire drill, Turner Park Branch and Les Chater Family YMCA are closed for a fire drill from noon-1 pm. Thank you for your patience.
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Published:
Thursday, August 14, 2025 - 1:00pm
Kenilworth Branch - Upcoming Temporary Closure
Due to roof repair maintenance, the Branch is temporarily closed from September 2 until October 10. Please visit Parkdale and Barton locations as your nearest branches for your library needs. Thank you for your understanding.
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Published:
Monday, August 11, 2025 - 8:00am
Turner Park - Outdoor Maintenance and Repairs
From August 18-19, accessible parking spots at the back of the building will not be available due to concrete and perimeter walkway repairs. From August 20-22, the main entrance from the back of the building will not be available. Please use the sidewalk on the side of the Branch to enter through the front entrance (off Rymal Road East) and gain access to the back parking lot. Thank you for your understanding.
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Published:
Friday, August 8, 2025 - 12:00pm
Public Computers - Audio Volume
Please note that the audio volume levels on our public computers are having issues. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. Thank you for your patience.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, May 29, 2025 - 4:00pm
Mount Hope Branch Accessibile Ramp Not Available
The accessibility ramp at Mount Hope Branch is damaged. The handrail is not available. The ramp will not be available while being repaired. We aim to fix it quickly.
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Published:
Friday, May 23, 2025 - 4:30pm
History of Gore Park
Flagpole raising in Gore Park, 1959
Other things were happening to the park during the 1950s besides the bird menace. The old fountain installed for the Royal visit in 1860 was finally condemned as unsafe and removed to make way for the three saucer shaped fountains donated by the Kinsmen (48). The flagpole, having been condemned as unsafe, was replaced by a steel one donated to the city by Dofasco.
The 1960s got off to a roaring start with the dedication of the new $20,000 fountains. Prime Minister Diefenbaker was scheduled to come to the ceremony but a blizzard kept him grounded in Ottawa. The Honourable Ellen Fairclough stood in his place (49). During this time period it was decided that Gore Park needed a master plan for a complete change. The Parks Board decided to set up a permanent committee to look into the question. Five committees, four reports and five years after talks commenced in 1962 they were no closer to any acceptable designs for renovation than they had been at the beginning.
Inaugurating the new fountain in Gore Park, 1960
The Parks Board presented their latest proposal in April 1968. It called for replacing the Kinsmen's fountain with a 150 foot long reflecting pool with three spray fountains, planting more flowers, closing Hughson Street through the park and putting a steel picket fence around the park. The final version of that report, presented 12 months later, left Hughson Street open but retained all the other suggestions. The only problem now facing the Board was the fact that there was absolutely no money to do anything proposed. They hoped the money would be available in two years time (50).
New fountain in Gore Park at night, 1970
The renovations were finally budgeted for and slated to start in the summer of 1970. The central focus of the new park would be the new fountain. It was to be an oval with a twenty-five foot spray in the middle and about 25 other smaller jets around it. All benches were to be removed and seats without backs placed at intervals. $135,000 was budgeted for the renovations (51). The fountain was officially turned on October 23, 1970 and worked beautifully. The coloured lights playing on it made quite an impressive sight.
