Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Monday morning.
Photos: Sudburians check out new $30M Place des Arts building
The $30 million Place des Arts building opened in downtown Sudbury April 29, and Sudburians flocked to check out the building during open houses on Friday and Saturday. Following an inauguration ceremony and invitation-only reception Friday afternoon, the general public was invited to stroll through the building Friday night to enjoy art installations, performances and DJs. An event geared to families took place at the new francophone art centre Saturday, with a scavenger hunt, face painting, storytelling, construction games, clowns, art exhibits and more. The vision that has now come to fruition is that of the seven founding organizations: Carrefour francophone, Centre franco-ontarien de folklore, Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario, Éditions Prise de parole, Nuit sur l'étang, Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario and Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury. Place des Arts boasts an early childhood arts centre, several creative spaces for youth, more than 10,000 square feet of office space, a black-box style multipurpose studio for 120 people, a concert hall with 299 seats, and a contemporary art gallery and gift and book shop. Check out our photo gallery here.
Reinstatement of lake access in Skead receives mixed reviews
The decision of city council to reopen a boat launch in Skead that offers access to Lake Wanapitei is receiving mixed reviews from area residents and lake users this week. Area residents who lobbied for the unofficial boat launch to close are disappointed. Lake users who access the lake from the cul-de-sac at the end of Poupore Road West, and lobbied for the site to reopen, are satisfied. A permanent solution via public consultation that factors in both sides has been delayed until next year, so there’s no alternative, such as the potential creation of a new site nearby, for the time being. Read more here.
Kyla Heyming is Greater Sudbury’s youngest-ever poet laureate
At the age of 28, Kyla Heyming is Greater Sudbury’s youngest-ever poet laureate. “That's pretty incredible to be selected as the youngest poet laureate,” said Heyming, speaking with Sudbury.com April 29 at a press conference where it was revealed she is Greater Sudbury’s seventh poet laureate. “I’m hoping that in itself will kind of open up the role to a whole new age demographic, and encourage younger people also to get involved and not have to wait, and write and love poetry as much as I did.” Greater Sudbury’s inaugural poet laureate, Roger Nash, who introduced Heyming at the press conference, joked he’s the city’s oldest former poet laureate, while Heyming is young enough to be his granddaughter. “So you see how inclusive we are,” he said. Read the full story.
Saturday fire in Kathleen Street apartment building
Two people have been displaced after a fire in a seven-unit apartment building on Kathleen Street near Notre Dame Avenue early Saturday morning. Greater Sudbury Fire Services Deputy Chief Jesse Oshell said firefighters were called to the scene at 9:14 a.m. The fire had been extinguished as of shortly after 10 a.m. Kathleen Street was still closed as of just before 10 a.m. due to firefighting operations in the area. Oshell said the fire was “relatively contained to one unit,” and the occupants of that unit were out at the time of the incident. Learn more here.
Laurentian University extends on-campus masking until mid-June
Laurentian University has announced it is maintaining its masking policy until the middle of June. Wearing face coverings on the Laurentian campus will continue to be required until the close of the spring first semester (June 12). This includes all guests at convocation, which runs May 31 to June 3. The university had previously announced it was pausing its COVID-19 vaccination policy as of May 1, and that change will be maintained. “Through discussions with all levels of our campus community, including the Board of Governors, as well as with Public Health authorities and colleagues within Ontario’s universities, we have determined that adapting our protocols is the best approach to ensuring the health and safety of our campus community,” said an April 28 statement from Laurentian president Robert Haché on Laurentian’s website. “I must also caution that these changes may be temporary, and could be reversed based on Public Health guidance.” Learn more here.
Wolves sign centre Nathan Villeneuve, making him OHL’s 3rd overall draft pick
The Sudbury Wolves has announced that Nathan Villeneuve has committed to the hockey club. The 6-0, 183-pound centre was selected by the Wolves Friday night, third overall, in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. The Orleans, Ont. native signed a standard player agreement with the Wolves following an exciting first draft day. “I am honoured and humbled to be drafted by the Sudbury Wolves,” said Villeneuve, in a press release. “I am really looking forward to joining this historic franchise and am very excited to get started in Sudbury this fall. It’s been my dream to play in the OHL since I was young and I am really looking forward to meeting my new teammates and coaches.” Villeneuve played the 2021-22 season for the Navan Grads U18AAA where he notched 26 goals and 41 assists for 67 points through 30 games, while also adding 79 penalty minutes. Read more here.
Despatie opens PC campaign headquarters in Sudbury
Sudbury’s Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario candidate officially opened his campaign headquarters at 1764 Regent St. on April 28. In a media release issued after the opening, Marc Despatie is quoted as responding to the group of volunteers and supporters that flanked him. “It’s your belief in me that brought me into this race and that is driving this race. And it is your belief in me that will guide what I do as Sudbury’s next PC member of provincial parliament,” he said. In the release, it’s noted that Despatie and his team have been knocking on doors and meeting constituents to hear what they have to say. Learn more here.
Monday weather:
Monday there will be periods of rain or drizzle. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. High of 11 C. UV index 2 or low. Monday night will be cloudy with a low of 6 C.
