The Standard (Elliot Lake)
Arena reconstruction progressing on schedule
The Rogers Arena reconstruction project remains on schedule. “We’re on budget. We’re on schedule,” said architect Chris Perry at the last council meeting of 2025. He acknowledged that there had been some hiccups along the way but that there was...
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Cross-country ski trails in Elliot Lake are operational
With plenty of snow on the ground the Elliot Lake Cross-country Ski and Bike Club is set for the winter for cross-country skiers. Jack Peterson, Elliot Lake Cross-country Ski and Bike Club president, says the club currently operates four trail loops...
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Mount Dufour opened earlier than in 2024
Elliot Lake’s Mount Dufour Ski Area opened a little earlier than usual this season. People began skiing and snowboarding down the slopes on Dec. 20. Last winter, Mount Dufour opened on Boxing Day but close the next day due to very mild temperatures,...
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Elliot Lake Fire Department Christmas Food Drive tops expectations
The Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank has an update on the 35th Annual Elliot Lake Fire Department Christmas Food Drive held on Saturday, Dec. 6. Len Kutchaw, chair of the Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank, says they surpassed their expectation of how...
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Tree of Lights brighten the future of patients
This year’s St. Joseph’s Foundation of Elliot Lake hosted the Tree of Lights lighting on Dec. 7 outside of St. Joseph’s General Hospital, which saw a few dozen people attend the event. The funds from the annual Tree of Lights campaign goes to support...
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Arena reconstruction proceeding slowly
The Rogers Arena reconstruction project is a little behind schedule as the building is not expected to have the exterior walls completed until sometime in the New Year. Chris Perry, of Perry and Perry Architects, attended the Dec. 8 council meeting...
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Children’s Christmas Store opened until Dec. 20
A local Christmas tradition aimed at children is back again year. This year’s Children’s Christmas Store opened in Elliot Lake on Nov. 27 at the Gentle Shepherd Church at 3 Ottawa Ave. The store is open three days a week, Thursdays and Fridays from...
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City meets with Premier
Elliot Lake leaders were in Toronto last month for meetings with senior members of the provincial government. City representatives, which included Mayor Andrew Wannan, Deputy Mayor Charlie Flintoff, economic development manager Steve Antunes and...
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City extends transit service contract
AJ Bus Lines will continue to provide transit services for Elliot Lake. At the Nov. 10 meeting, council approved a two-year contract extension for AJ Bus Lines to provide conventional transit services until Dec. 31, 2026. Funds will come from the...
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Remembrance Day In Elliot Lake
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, a few hundred people attended the 2025 Remembrance Day ceremony at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 561 Cenotaph on Manitoba Road in Elliot Lake. This year’s event marked the 107th anniversary of the end of First World War. Legion...
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Arena foundation nears completion
Work is proceeding on the Rogers Arena as the foundation work is expected to be completed shortly. “The foundation work is continuing and is scheduled to be completed hopefully by the end of this month,” said CAO Rob debortoli at the Oct. 27 regular...
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Golf course operation agreement renewed
The shared agreement for operation of the Stone Ridge Golf Club has been renewed for another 10 years. Council approved the agreement between the city and Elliot Lake Retirement Living (ELRL) at the Oct. 14 regular meeting. Elliot Lake CAO Rob...
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Committee of the Whole trial to proceed
November will see a change to how the Elliot Lake city council handles business with a six-month trial of a Committee of the Whole format. Council approved the implementation of Committee of the Whole structure for the third Monday of each month...
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Elliot Lake welcomes new doctor
St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake (SJGHEL) welcomes a new doctor to its emergency department. According to a hospital news release, Dr. Alexander Popa has signed a two-year contract which will address ongoing staffing gaps in the delivery of...
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ARTS ON THE TRAIL
It was estimated that about 900 people attended the Elliot Lake Arts Club’s 2025 Arts on the Trail on Saturday, Sept. 27. The artist and artisans were at three locations this year. This location was the Collins Hall on Saturday morning.
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DIVERSITY CANADA’S DOCUMENTARY ‘BEING HAPPY LAUNCHES SEPT. 28
Elliot Lake based Diversity Canada Foundation, a local non-profit, has been working on a documentary produced through The Joy Project. Celia Sankar, executive director of the Diversity Canada Foundation, says the theme of the documentary, which lasts...
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Community welcomes 3 third-year medical students to train in Elliot Lake
von Sept. 2, St. Joseph’s General Hospital (SJGH) staff and the Elliot Lake Family Health Team hosted a welcome event at Camp Thompson for three medical students from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). The three third-year medical...
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LOCAL HERO 7-YEAR-OLD ELIJAH HENNESSEY
Seven-year-old Elijah Caden Hennessey, was born to Jessie Hennessey and Thomas Wallace of Elliot Lake on Nov. 23, 2017, but sadly passed away on July 31, 2025 at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids). Within a couple of months of being born...
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118th Massey Fair draws huge crowds
The Massey Agricultural Society held the annual Massey Fair from August 21 through Sunday, August 24. This year’s theme was “Back To Our Roots in Cowboy Boots. This year’s fair included many events for children throughout the weekend at the...
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Elliot Lake adopts new tourism strategy
Explore Elliot Lake Tourism Initiative Strategy will help the city move forward in the tourism sector. The new tourism strategy was adopted by council at the Aug. 11 meeting after a presentation by Bannikin Inc., the consulting firm hired to develop...
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THE MASSEY FAIR, A MEMORY TRIGGER WARNING, AND A GOOD ONE
As one grows older in years, many memories somehow get lost or deleted in a mindful of an overstuffed vault of incidents and matters from the past. Reminiscences are sometimes removed with the passage of time, and then there are those recollections...
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Denison: Elliot Lake water is safe
If there is one take away from the annual presentation by Denison Mines is that Elliot Lake water is very safe. Operations manager Marc Prevost, who provided the update at the July 28 council meeting, said even though the mines have been...
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BEATING THE JULY HEAT
On a hot afternoon on July 23, with the temperature hovering around 30 C, some people in Elliot Lake were cooling off in the refreshing water at Spruce Beach. Lifeguards are on duty at the beach from noon to 7 p.m.
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ELLIOT LAKE HOMETOWN CHAMPION LIZ KANSKI
A former Elliot Lake Secondary School (ELSS) teacher turned her 33-year career into a modified hobby when she retired from the profession in 2011, and then her new selfless career began. Elizabeth (Liz) Kanski, originally from London, Ontario, was...
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In Northern Ontario forest fires are always in the back of minds
Forest fires have been making headlines across Canada for a number of years, but in the Elliot Lake area this year there have been very few. Elliot Lake Fire Chief John Thomas says to date this year there have been four small forest fires in this area...
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Ruben Yli-juuti Centre closed until further notice
The municipal pool is closed to the public until further notice. The city made the announcement on July 2. The closure affects all facilities within the pool building including the gym and sauna. All existing memberships will be paused for the time...
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Sea Cadets in Elliot Lake host 36th annual inspection
On June 10, the 306 Captain Kidd Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps hosted its 36th annual inspection at the Collins Hall. There were 19 Sea Cadets participating in this year’s event. The 306 Captain Kidd Sea Cadets’ commanding officer Lieutenant (Navy)...
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Heritage Days in Elliot Lake starts Friday
Canada Day 2025 is on Tuesday, July 1, but the celebrations in Elliot Lake starts Friday with the annual Heritage Days Street Dance in the city’s Upper Plaza from 6 to 11 p.m. Canadian rock icon Kim Mitchell will take centre stage at this year’s...
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Building fee schedule includes calculations for big builds
Elliot Lake’s building fee schedule has been amended to include a means of calculating building permit fees for industrial, commercial and institutional buildings. Council approved the change to the building fee schedule at the June 9 meeting. Chief...
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City proclaims June Pride Month in Elliot Lake
On the morning of Friday, May 30, the Elliot Lake Pride committee and the City of Elliot Lake raised the Pride flag for June, Pride Month in Elliot Lake. Elliot Lake Deputy Mayor Charles Flintoff and Elliot Lake Pride committee president Chantal...
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Architects to oversee occupancy requirements for Rogers Arena
As the days draw closer to reopening the Rogers Arena, Elliot Lake has hired Perry and Perry Architects to provide a life safety audit. Council approved the hiring of the firm through negotiation method at an upset limit of $25,000, plus taxes at the...
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City sees big drop in legal fees from 2024
Elliot Lake’s legal costs dropped substantially in 2024 especially where the integrity commissioner was required. At the May 12 meeting, treasurer Andrew Ault reported that integrity commissioner (IC) costs dropped from $287,131 in 2023 to $3,232 in...
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Elliot Lake gets strong mayor powers
Elliot Lake Mayor Andrew Wannan has been granted strong mayoral powers by the province. The city was one of 170 municipalities across Ontario to be granted this expansion of powers which came into effect on May 1. John Mascarin, partner with Aird and...
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Additional $1.6M approved for rink repairs
The city is spending an additional $1,656,727.42 plus taxes toward the foundation repairs at the Rogers Arena. Council made the decision at a special meeting on May 1. The extra money, which will be drawn from the city’s building and facilities...
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ELLIOT LAKE REMEMBERED ON NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING
On Monday, April 28, a crowd estimated at more than 140 attended the 2025 National Day of Mourning ceremony at the Miners Memorial Park on Highway 108 in Elliot Lake. This year a dozen names were added to the fourth monument panel in the Miners...
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Blind River’s Easter Egg Hunt attracted 200-plus children
On Saturday April 19, a group called the Well Ministries hosted Blind River’s second Easter Egg Hunt since the end of the COVID pandemic. The Easter Egg Hunt was held at Blind River’s Town Park on Woodward Avenue across from WC Eaket Secondary...
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Elliot Lake Arts and Heritage Centre hosts grand opening May 10
At the April 14 meeting Elliot Lake council approved a budget with an upset limit of $12,000 to make and installation of the building sign for the Elliot Lake Arts and Heritage Centre, located at 14 Elizabeth Walk. Amelia D’amato, museum curator, told...
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Royal Canadian Legion Branch 561 marks Vimy Ridge Day
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 561 in Elliot Lake hosted its annual Vimy Ridge memorial at the cenotaph on April 9, the 108th anniversary of the start of the battle. The event began with the singing of O’ Canada and raising the Canadian flag. Legion...
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Supplementary shoring needed for arena restoration
The Rogers Arena restoration project continues to get more costly, but the city is putting safety first. At the March 28 special meeting, council approved additional shoring be put in place at a cost of $95,416.40, plus taxes, by Timber Restoration...
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ELLIOT LAKE HEALTHCARE
St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Elliot Lake continues in the path set since it opened to serve the area residents on Sept. 12, 1959. The first administrator of St. Joseph’s General Hospital was Sister St. Camillus of the Sisters of St. Joseph in...
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BLIND RIVER DOESN’T GIVE UP
Blind River was incorporated as a town in 1906 making it 119 years old this year. However, there were people in the area long before that. Not far away, in the late 1700s a North West Company Trading Post was established at the mouth of the Mississagi...
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ELLIOT LAKE - MORE THAN A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Elliot Lake is in need of more housing stock. Tammy Greer Ouellette - broker of record at Oak Realty, and Christine Brunet – one of Oak Realty’s sales representative, agree that while homes are selling in Elliot Lake, they need more new stock to meet...
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Elliot Lake Retirement Living going strong in city
Elliot Lake Retirement Living (ELRL), a not-for-profit corporation, was created in 1991 as a way to help Elliot Lake survive the closing of its uranium mines as well as to see it flourish. In 1954 uranium was discovered in the area and the first...
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Welcome to our new series - How Canada Wins: A blueprint for a prosperous nation
Our intention in developing the series of stories you are about to read is simple: We believe in Canada, and in Canadians, and we believe in a shared, prosperous future for the people and communities who comprise this country. We believe it is a great...
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Hybrid voting methods for 2026 municipal election
Elliot Lake residents will have two options for voting in the next municipal election. Council approved a hybrid model of tabulator and internet voting for the next municipal and school board election, which is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2026. The...
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Minor hockey expresses frustration over arena delays
Elliot Lake Minor Hockey faces an uncertain future if the Rogers Arena is not open for the 2025 fall season. At the Feb. 10 council meeting, which saw the gallery filled to capacity, ELMH president Lara Hukezalie said the organization was facing...
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Transit study completed
Elliot Lake’s transit study has been completed and includes a long list of recommendations. The 175-page report, which was accepted by council at the Jan. 27 meeting, was first commissioned by council in 2022 and awarded to EXP Services in July...
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City transfers land to Serpent River First Nation
Elliot Lake formalized the transfer of land to Serpent River First Nation. The bylaw for the agreement of purchase and sale to return the land back to SRFN was passed at the Jan. 27 city council meeting. Economic development officer Steve Antunes...
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SLIDING IN CHILLY TEMPERATURES
The snow appears to want to stay for a while so we might as well enjoy it. With temperature in the minus 15-degree Celsius area on Sunday, Jan 19, many people were looking to enjoy activities indoors but not all. Some were skiing at Mount Dufour Ski...
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Skating rink open at Kiwanis Park
The city recommends that skaters wear a helmet and follow the posted rules at the rink and always remember to respect others who may be using the rink at the same time. Temporary solar lights have been put it in place for use after dusk however a more...
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Elliot Lake receiving $8.7 million from OMPF
On Jan. 7, Lisa Thompson - Ontario Minister of Rural Affair, toured the North Shore making funding announcements. On her tour she made four stops in North Shore communities and announced that they are receiving four grants this year that total...
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NOJHL Board grants Elliot Lake Vikings Leave of Absence, due to ongoing arena closure
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s board announced Tuesday that they have granted the Elliot Lake Vikings a Leave of Absence, effective immediately, for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, due to extenuating circumstances, resulting from the...
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Arena opening delayed until next season
The reopening of the Rogers Arena (formerly the Centennial Arena) will be delayed indefinitely with a target goal for reopening set for the 2025-2026 season. Council made the decision at a Dec. 18 special meeting following an update on the arena...
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Big name talent sought for street dance
Elliot Lake is looking for a major headliner for the 2025 street dance. Council approved a budget of $104,443 for the dance with $35,000 allotted for the musicians. Based on the 2024 dance, the event is projected to have a net loss of $64,000. The...
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Arena project gets support from Hydro One
Hydro One Networks is giving $125,000 towards the work being done at the Rogers Arena (formerly the Centennial Arena). Economic development manager Steve Antunes announced the donation at the Dec. 9 council meeting. “Hydro One has stepped forth… to...
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ELLIOT LAKE’S SANTA CLAUS PARADE 2024
The annual Santa Claus Parade in Elliot Lake had hundreds of youngsters along with parents and grandparents lining the route from the Scotiabank parking lot along Ontario Avenue down Hillside Drive North. The parade had a total of 20 entries this year...
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Rogers family donates $3 million for Centennial repairs, arena to be renamed
The City of Elliot Lake got a boost with a $3-million donation to go towards restoring the Centennial Arena. The large donation, which was made by Edward and Suzanne Rogers, also includes a 25-year sponsorship agreement that will see the building...
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Electrical services proceed for Fox Drive Project
The installation of electrical services on the Fox Drive Phase Three Project is finally moving forward. Council approved a multi-service connection cost agreement between the city and Hydro One Networks at the Nov. 12 meeting. The costs related to the...
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Council reaffirms commitment to Municipal Act
Elliot Lake council takes further steps to appease the Ombudsman. Council passed a resolution to reaffirm their commitment to the Ontario Municipal Act at the Nov. 12 meeting. The new resolution was at the request of the Ombudsman and was a follow up...
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Arena repairs increase another $600K
An additional $600,000 or more will have to be spent on strengthening the foundation of the Centennial Arena. At a special meeting on Oct. 31, council approved the use of the negotiation method with Timber Restoration Services to make foundation...
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City ended last year in good financial position
Elliot Lake was in good shape at the end of December 2023.Council was presented with the financial statements for last year by BDO partner Jennifer Archambault at the Oct. 28 meeting. As of the end of December 2023, Elliot Lake had an accumulated...
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Hospital to provide city with HR services
Elliot Lake is partnering with St. Joseph’s General Hospital for the provision of human resource (HR) services. Council passed the bylaw to enter into the collaborative agreement at the Oct. 15 meeting. The funds to finance this initiative be drawn...
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City hires recruitment firm to replace staff vacancies
Elliot Lake will be using a recruitment firm to find a new director of finance/treasurer and director of public works. At the Oct. 15 meeting, council approved the hiring of Odgers-berndston at a cost of $65,000, plus tax, to find replacements for...
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Elliot Lake XC Ski & Bike Club hosts a Take Your Family Mountain Biking Day
The Elliot Lake XC Ski & Bike Club hosted a Take Your Family MTB Day on Sept. 21 at the Bob Stirling XC & Bike Trail at Spine Beach.the event was to encourage families to enjoy a day of trail riding; to try out a skills development course and to enjoy...
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ELLIOT LAKE’S KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE
Part of Elliot Lake’s prize for winning the Kraft Hockeyville 2024 title was to host a preseason NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game was held on Sunday, Sept. 29 at the Sudbury Community Arena. In the red-carpet...
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Additional money approved for pool repairs
An additional $32,378, plus taxes has been approved for recommissioning the hot tub at the Ruben Yli Juuti Aquatics Centre. Council approved the amount at the Sept. 23 meeting following an update on the pool reconciliation project. Special projects...
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ELLIOT LAKE TERRY FOX RUN RAISES JUST UNDER $2,000
The Terry Fox Run in Elliot Lake on Sunday, Sept. 15 drew 43 people including four children, plus two dogs. The fund raised go to cancer research. Patricia Shaw, this year’s run coordinator with the Elliot Lake Lions Club, says those participating and...
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