By Claude & Parth on 2026-06-25, City: Grimsby, View Transcript
Grimsby's Community Services Committee met June 23, 2026 for what committee members described as the final meeting of the term. Members received an end-of-term presentation from the Grimsby Public Art Gallery Special Purpose Advisory Committee, reviewed a five-year Cultural Services Strategic Plan for the museum and art gallery, heard updates on construction at the Grimsby Museum and operations at the Major Refrigeration Peach King Centre, approved a new filming bylaw, and discussed changes to the town's ice allocation policy.
The committee received an end-of-term presentation on the work of the Grimsby Public Art Gallery Special Purpose Advisory Committee between 2023 and 2026. Tina Carvalitis said "the purpose of our presentation is to review the accomplishments of the advisory committee between 2023 and 2026."
The presentation outlined recent gallery work including exhibitions, community programming, fundraising events and collection management. Councillor Delight Davoli asked about the gallery's digitization progress, saying, "So you talked about the digital ar the digitization going from 30% to 90%. Uh first question I have is is that available to people yet uh like online? So can people view the collection or is that just kind of an archival thing?"
Committee members also discussed future policy work around loans and travelling exhibits. Councillor Reg Freake said, "Um, the other thing I wanted to ask about was you talked about developing a formal policy for traveling exhibits and artwork loans. We traditionally had a policy for for loaning artwork. We used to lend out artwork to the high schools."
The committee reviewed five-year strategic plans for the museum and art gallery under file DCS 2633. Jeff Jordan said that for both institutions, "the really guiding vision is to grow the breadth and depth of the audiences they serve."
The plan set out three broad goals, including stronger community connections, higher visibility, and exhibition programming aimed at a wider range of residents. One presentation summary described the second goal as raising the profile of the institutions "within Grimsby and the Niagara region, moving from a position of hidden community gem to treasured resource with regional profile."
Councillors discussed how the strategy could translate into future programming and investment. Councillor Nick DiFlavio said councils are "losing development charges" and suggested the strategy could help the town approach developers and businesses for support for future cultural expansions.
Staff reported that construction at the Grimsby Museum is continuing, with work affecting regular programming and event planning. Because of construction and related safety concerns, Canada Day activities are being moved from Museum Park to Coronation Park.
The museum update also included discussion of exhibits and public programming during the construction period. Staff noted ongoing efforts to maintain activity despite the disruption, including summer staffing and exhibitions.
The committee reviewed an operations update for the Major Refrigeration Peach King Centre. Staff reported strong early use of the facility. Trevor said, "We do estimate that we've already had over 150,000 people through the building since we opened and expect up to 400,000 to attend over the course of the year."
Staff also reported that the fitness centre had already met its annual revenue target. Trevor said the centre had "already hit our revenue target for the year on the fitness center based on the memberships that we've sold to date."
Councillors described the building as serving a wider range of residents than a traditional arena. Councillor Nick DiFlavio said, "what we've created now is a true community center, not an arena," adding that the building is being used by residents of many ages at the same time for skating, music sessions, seniors programming and other activities.
The committee approved a new filming bylaw under file DCS 2636. Staff said the bylaw is meant to give the town a clearer process for coordinating productions and responding to impacts on nearby residents. Trevor said the town has seen "increase in interest in filming in Grimsby," with more productions and more inquiries from location scouts.
He said the bylaw gives the town "the mechanism to get involved as needed," adding that some productions arrive in Grimsby "for the first time and the last time" and that compliance can be difficult once filming wraps.
Councillor Delight Davoli said the bylaw should help the town address neighbourhood impacts in advance: "We know that you're not parking on private property. We know you're going to have a parking impact on the neighborhood. Let's talk about it now so that we can get insurance and the process in place."
The committee also discussed updates to the ice allocation policy under file DCS 2637. Staff said the goal is to make unused time available more quickly. Trevor said, "please only tell us the time that you need," because if organizations do not need their allocated time, staff will "release it to the public."
Passed: - Art Gallery Special Purpose Advisory Committee end-of-term presentation — received for information - DCS 2633 – Cultural Services Strategic Plan — received and approved for implementation planning - DCS 2636 – Proposed Filming Bylaw for the Town of Grimsby — approved
Councillors and committee members referenced in the meeting discussion:
Other presenters or staff referenced: