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We’re braving the cold at Talbot Street and Fairview Avenue for a quick on-site update on a major milestone for St. Thomas infrastructure.
In this video, Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development is joined by Dan to talk about the newly reopened Talbot & Fairview intersection and what’s changed since the last time drivers passed through. You’ll learn: • Why the intersection is safer and easier to navigate • How new sight lines and opposing left-turn lanes improve traffic flow • What’s coming next for Talbot Street, including a major sanitary sewer upgrade • When to expect construction impacts later this year This project is an important step in preparing St. Thomas for future growth, including increased industrial activity, while improving everyday safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. We know construction isn’t always fun while it’s happening, but the long-term benefits are worth it. Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow along for more local updates from around the city.
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In this week’s update from City Hall, Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development ducks inside to escape the cold and sits down with Dave Kerr to talk about something that truly warms the community—Special Olympics in St. Thomas.
Dave shares his role as a regional co-coordinator and longtime coach, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the wide range of sports programs available locally and their impact on athletes across all seasons. With nearly 50 Special Olympians participating in St. Thomas, the programs go far beyond competition—building confidence, leadership, friendships, and a strong sense of belonging. We’re also joined by Julian, a Special Olympian, who speaks candidly about his experiences in basketball, bowling, and soccer, the friendships he’s made along the way, and what representing St. Thomas means to him. His story is a powerful reminder of why these programs matter—not just to athletes, but to the entire community that cheers them on.The conversation wraps up with a look ahead to Sports Spectacular, a one-of-a-kind event that brings together Special Olympians, their families, community supporters, and professional athletes for an unforgettable evening in support of Special Olympics. If you haven’t experienced Sports Spectacular before, this is the year to check it out! Get Tickets today while you still can as tomorrow is the spectacular event! What you’re looking at may just seem like a giant hole in the ground—but it’s actually one of the most important projects supporting the future of St. Thomas.
In this update, Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development is joined by Pat Anckaert at the site of the Dalewood Water Reclamation Facility (D-WRF) to explain why the City needs a second wastewater treatment facility, how it works, and what’s being built right now. As St. Thomas continues to grow, the existing facility near Sunset and Bush Line is approaching capacity. To support new homes, schools, hospitals, and continued community growth, Dalewood WRF is being constructed to handle future wastewater needs—using a modern, multi-step treatment process. In this video, Pat walks through: ✅Why the Dalewood Water Reclamation Facility is needed ✅The seven-step wastewater treatment process, from screening and settling to bioreactors, filtration, and UV disinfection ✅How microorganisms are used to naturally break down harmful substances ✅What happens to solids, and how nutrients are returned to the natural cycle as reusable fertilizer ✅What the massive excavation on site represents, including secondary clarifiers, bioreactors, and underground conduits ✅How landscaped berms may improve aesthetics, reduce odours, and even support future recreational trails ✅The importance of using local contractors from across Southwestern Ontario This is a three-year build, with construction underway now and first flows expected around mid-2029. It’s a project most people don’t think about—but one that plays a critical role in modern life and long-term community resilience. Interested in learning more about how wastewater is safely returned to the environment? As we kick off 2026, Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development is back with a forward-looking update on what’s ahead for St. Thomas, Yarmouth Yards, and the broader region.
After reflecting on a milestone-filled 2025, this episode looks to the momentum building this year — from major industrial construction to critical infrastructure upgrades that will support growth for decades to come. On the industrial side, construction is accelerating at Yarmouth Yards. PowerCo continues to move quickly, with extensive concrete, rebar, and upcoming steel signalling a fast-paced build. Nearby, Vianode is preparing to begin construction of its ViaTwo graphite facility, with internal servicing underway and local staffing ramping up. Learn more about Vianode. Major city-led infrastructure projects are also set to start in 2026. Work begins on the Dalewood Water Reclamation Facility (D-WRF), a transformative wastewater treatment project on the city’s north side designed to meet current needs and support future growth. We’ll be on site soon with Pat Anckaert to walk through what’s coming — including renderings and early construction milestones. Learn more about Wastewater in St. Thomas and the D-WRF. Across Yarmouth Yards, you’ll continue to see progress at the southeast pumping station, expanded rail infrastructure (including the long-anticipated golden spike), and the development of a large, photo-worthy Yarmouth Yards sign along Highbury Avenue. Power capacity is also expanding as Hydro One advances substation work and transmission connections that will serve both the industrial park and the city. Beyond Yarmouth Yards, several projects will impact daily life in St. Thomas. Sewer and water upgrades along Talbot Street, continued work at the Woodworth Pumping Station, and coordinated servicing under Highway 3 — alongside ongoing widening by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario — are all essential investments in long-term reliability, even as the City works to minimize traffic impacts. Learn more about MTO's HWY 3 project. Together, these projects represent a significant year of building — laying the groundwork for economic growth, infrastructure resilience, and improved connectivity across the region. Thanks for watching. If you enjoy these updates, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and stay tuned for more From the Beehive as we follow these projects throughout 2026.  In part one of the series, we learned more about Stormwater Management. This second installment of the series focuses on Wastewater management, which is one of the most important — and least visible — public services in any community. It works quietly beneath our streets and behind the scenes, treating everything that leaves our sinks, showers, toilets, businesses, and industries before that water ever touches the natural environment again.
In Ontario, wastewater systems are built on a simple promise: No drop of used water should return to nature without being cleaned, tested, and proven safe. To uphold that promise, municipalities like St. Thomas operate under strict provincial regulations and use a combination of advanced engineering, real-time monitoring, and ongoing investment in infrastructure. Here’s how it all works. |
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