Port Dalhousie, Ontario

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Port Dalhousie is a community in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. It is known for its cultural heritage. It is home to the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and is historically significant as the terminus for the first three (19th century) routes of the Welland Canal.

The city's most popular beach, on the shore of Lake Ontario, is located in Port Dalhousie at historic Lakeside Park. The park is home to an antique Carousel which was carved by Charles I. D. Looff in 1905 and brought to St. Catharines in 1921. It continues to provide amusement for young and old alike, at just 5 cents a ride.

Recently, Port Dalhousie has become a hotspot for late-night party-goers in the summertime. The commercial district features a highly concentrated number of bars, nightclubs and licenced patios which cater especially to young adults, who travel as far as Toronto and Buffalo. The loud music, vandalism associated with drunken behaviour and limited number of parking spaces (which have caused cars to park over local residents' front lawns), has led to the dismay of many Port residents. Currently control systems are being put in place to curb these issues.

Plans have been announced to build a commercial district next to the historic district. The first proposal, which would have included a 30 story highrise building, was abandoned, in part due to protests of local residents. The current proposal, which was approved by St. Catharines City Council on June 27, 2006, is to build a 17 story condominium apartment building, a hotel, a theatre, and about 39,000 square feet of retail space.This proposal would also re-develop and restore Port Dalhousie to its original intent, a proud commercial and entertainment area. These building plans are being fought for and against very strongly. PROUD (Port Realizing our Unique Distinction) is the group against these developments and plans to take council's decision to the Ontario Municipal Board. They launched the S.O.S. (Save our Seaport) campaign and operate a website under the same title. Niagara Citizens for Smart Development are in support of the project. Recently Life-long Port Dalhousie resident Kelly George created Port Dalhousie's and the world's only on-line grassroots interactive community journal called dalhousiedirt.com

[edit] Miscellanea

Neil Peart, drummer for the rock band Rush, grew up in Port Dalhousie. The song, "Lakeside Park", off of their 1975 album Caress of Steel, is about his summers at the beach.

Parts of the film The Skulls staring Joshua Jackson and Paul Walker, was shot in Port Dalhousie at the Henley rowing course and along the pier.

[edit] External links

• Port Dalhousie Official BIA website
• Port Dalhousie walking tour
• PROUD website
• Port Dalhousie's Interactive Grassroots Community Journal

Coordinates: 43°12′06.76″N, 79°16′05.00″W