Good morning! This is The Oakville Digest, your trusted guide to everything happening in the beautiful town of Oakville, Ontario.

Here is what to expect in today’s issue:

• 🚰 Major investments in water infrastructure & skilled trades opportunities

• 🏐 Oakville coach leads Team Canada & paint parties that make a difference

• 📅 Upcoming events you won’t want to miss this week!

Before we get started, be sure to follow our instagram @oakvilledigest where we post:

• Weekend event previews

• Noteworthy news that don’t make the newsletter

• Restaurant spotlights

• Giveaways!

News

👷 Support Ontario Youth to Host First Trades & Talent Summit

Support Ontario Youth (SOY) is launching its first-ever Trades & Talent Summit, a hiring event aimed at connecting job seekers with career opportunities in the skilled trades. The event will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Red Rose Convention Centre, 1233 Derry Rd E, Mississauga.

Attendees will have the chance to network with key employers, receive resume assistance, and gain insight from industry professionals at the “Mentor Corner.” The summit will also feature panel discussions with experts in the trades. Free transportation will be provided from Union Station and Square One, with return buses departing at 2 p.m.

“This summit is an important step towards connecting individuals with rewarding careers in the skilled trades,” said Melanie Winter, Executive Director of SOY.

🚰 Oakville Water Infrastructure Expansion to Support 25,000 New Homes

The Ontario government is investing over $20.8 million in Halton’s water infrastructure, with a significant portion allocated to expanding the Oakville Water Treatment Plant. This investment, part of the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), aims to support the construction of up to 25,000 new homes in the region.

“Having a strong infrastructure foundation with connections to water systems is the first step in delivering the housing Ontario needs,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. The funding will help ensure growing communities have access to safe and reliable water services.

This initiative is part of a broader $1.3 billion provincial investment in 77 water infrastructure projects, enabling municipalities to build approximately 600,000 homes across Ontario. With continued infrastructure expansion, Oakville and the Halton region are poised for significant residential and economic growth.

Community Spotlight

🎨 Oakville Teen Brings Colour and Charity Together

At just 17 years old, Poppy King is using her love for art to give back to the Oakville community. King hosts paint parties across town, where participants enjoy a guided painting session while supporting a good cause. A portion of the proceeds from each event goes to Front Line Outreach, an Oakville-based charity supporting disadvantaged individuals.

King’s passion for art started early, but her philanthropic journey began during the COVID-19 lockdown. She initially sold commissioned artwork to donate to various nonprofit organizations. Encouraged by her mother, she later expanded into hosting paint parties, which have grown through word-of-mouth.

With a goal of raising $1,000 for Front Line Outreach by the end of the school year, King remains dedicated to making an impact. “Even though [donations] are on a smaller scale, it’s still making an impact in someone’s life,” she says.

🏐 Oakville’s Dan Lewis Named Head Coach of Team Canada

Volleyball Canada has appointed Oakville’s own Dan Lewis as the new Head Coach of the senior men’s national team. A former libero for Team Canada, Lewis has had a distinguished career both as a player and coach, most recently leading Canada’s Next Gen program and coaching French professional team Alterna State Poitevin.

Lewis played professionally in Europe after graduating from the University of Manitoba and later transitioned into coaching. He was part of Team Canada’s coaching staff at the Tokyo Olympics and helped lead the team to gold at the 2023 NORCECA Pan Am Cup.

Expressing his excitement, Lewis said, “I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to collaborate with the athletes and staff involved with Team Canada.” His first major challenge as head coach will be leading Canada in the Volleyball Nations League this summer in Quebec.

Weather

Friday, January 31
🌨️ Periods of snow and rain, accumulating a cm or two.
High: 2°C | Low: -10°C

Saturday, February 1
⛅ Colder with some sun, then increasing clouds.
High: -7°C | Low: -9°C

Sunday, February 2
🌨️ Breezy in the morning; cloudy and not as cold with a couple of snow showers.
High: 2°C | Low: 0°C

Events

• Moss Ball Art Workshop 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | January 31 (more info)

  • Location: The Floral Collective Inc., 335 Kerr Street, Oakville

  • Description: Learn the Japanese art of Kokedama, growing plants in decorative moss balls, in this hands-on workshop. Create three unique Kokedama pieces with your choice of plants or bulbs.

• Winter Spectacular Jazz Concert 2:00 PM | February 1 (more info)

  • Location: Rehearsal Hall, Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Road, Oakville

  • Description: Enjoy an afternoon of exceptional jazz performances by High Rendition Jazz at their Winter Spectacular Concert. Immerse yourself in the sounds of talented musicians in a cozy, lively atmosphere. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.

• Expressive Fluid Art Workshop 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | February 1 (more info)

  • Location: Oakville Art Society, 560 Bronte Road, Oakville

  • Description: Discover the magic of fluid art in this beginner-friendly acrylic painting workshop with AJ Webb. Participants will create two 12×12 canvases and a glass vase to take home as unique works of abstract art.

• Mini-Reset Retreat 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM | February 1 (more info)

  • Location: Oakville Galleries, Studio Space, 1306 Lakeshore Rd E, Oakville

  • Description: Refresh your mind and body with a morning of wellness activities, including gentle stretching, bite-sized meditations, breathwork, a bundled-up nature walk, and a soothing body scan sound bath. Enjoy healthy snacks and refreshments while setting positive intentions for the year.

• Underground Railroad Walking Tour 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | February 1 (more info)

  • Location: Oakville Museum, 8 Navy St, Oakville

  • Description: Explore Oakville’s rich Black history through this immersive indoor/outdoor tour. Begin with the exhibit Freedom, Opportunity, and Family: Oakville’s Black History, followed by a multimedia presentation, The Underground Railroad: Next Stop Freedom. Conclude with a guided outdoor walk highlighting Oakville’s role in the Underground Railroad.

• 2025 MCCA Chinese New Year Gala 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | February 1 (more info)

  • Location: 4343 Regional Road 25, Milton

  • Description: Celebrate the Chinese New Year with an evening of traditional performances, festive decorations, and delicious snacks. This vibrant community event is open to all ages, offering a joyful and cultural way to welcome the new year with family and friends!

• Intro to Pottery Wheel Throwing – Super Sale | February 1 (more info)

  • Location: Artventures Rebecca, 3495 Rebecca St. Unit 208, Oakville

  • Description: Discover the art of pottery in this hands-on introductory workshop. Learn how to center clay, shape vessels, and experiment with different forms under the guidance of an experienced instructor. No prior experience is needed—just bring your creativity!

• Puppy Yoga Support Rescues | February 1, 2 (more info)

  • Location: Limitless Martial Arts, 3410 Semenyk Court #7, Mississauga

  • Description: Enjoy a 75-minute wellness experience filled with puppy cuddles while supporting rescue organizations. This all-ages class is designed to help you relax, destress, and connect with your community. Each ticket purchased directly supports the puppies in the program. Free venue parking available.

• Passionate – Oakville Symphony | February 1, 2 (more info)

  • Location: Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, 130 Navy St, Oakville

  • Description: Experience an evening of passion through music with the Oakville Symphony. Enjoy a Suite of Love Themes from Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, and E.T. by legendary composer John Williams.

• Landscape Painting for Beginners 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | February 2 (more info)

  • Location: Oakville Art Society, 560 Bronte Road, Oakville

  • Description: Discover the joy of painting in this beginner-friendly workshop led by artist Pamela Dey. Learn color mixing, bold brushwork, composition, and texture techniques to create expressive landscape paintings.

• Black History Month Art Gallery Opening 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | February 2 (more info)

  • Location: Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Road, Oakville

  • Description: Kick off a month-long celebration of Black History Month with this year’s theme, Harmony, highlighting unity, respect, and the rich cultural legacy of the Black diaspora. Explore powerful works by talented artists, meet some of them during a Q&A session, and enjoy Caribbean-inspired finger foods from Oakville Fish and Chips.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading The Oakville Digest! We hope you found this edition helpful and insightful. We’d love to hear your feedback or any event suggestions you’d like us to feature in future issues. Don’t forget to share with friends and family, and we’ll see you Monday!

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