Good morning! This is The Oakville Digest, your trusted guide to everything happening in the beautiful Oakville Ontario. We hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with laughs and gifts.

As we wind down 2024, today’s edition is packed with goodies to close out the year:

• 🏞️ Free park access, Polar Dip, and more

• 🏈 The Grey Cup comes to Oakville

• 🥂 A list of potential plans for your New Years Eve

Thanks for being part of our growing community. Let us know what you loved in today’s issue, and here’s to an even better 2025 together.

Let’s dive in!

News

Explore Halton’s Parks for Free - With a Prescription! 🌳

Halton residents can now enjoy free access to local conservation areas, thanks to an exciting new initiative called PaRx. This program, a collaboration between Conservation Halton, Halton Healthcare, and the BC Parks Foundation, allows healthcare professionals to prescribe up to 10 complimentary visits to Conservation Halton parks.

The program aims to promote well-being by encouraging people to immerse themselves in nature, which has proven benefits for boosting mood, enhancing creativity, and improving overall health. Halton Healthcare is the first hospital system in Canada to adopt PaRx, setting a trailblazing example of how nature can be integrated into a healthy lifestyle.

To take advantage of this program, patients receiving a nature prescription will receive a code to redeem their free park visits. It's a wonderful opportunity to explore the beauty of our local parks and make nature a part of your wellness routine!

For more details on the program and participating parks, visit the PaRx website.

Source: Inside Halton

A Splash for a Cause: Oakville's 40th Annual Polar Bear Dip! 🧊

Start your New Year with a thrilling dive into Lake Ontario at Oakville’s 40th Annual Courage Polar Bear Dip on December 31st at Coronation Park! This iconic event invites participants to take an icy plunge while raising funds for World Vision’s clean water initiatives in Ethiopia and Zambia. A $30 registration fee includes access to the festivities, and participants are encouraged to fundraise for this important cause.

Highlights:

• Live Entertainment: Enjoy performances by local musician Mike Whaling.

• Costume Contest: Show off your creativity for a chance to win exciting prizes.

• Post-Dip Celebration: Warm up and celebrate your bravery at Tin Cup Oakville, with a portion of food sales supporting the cause.

With live music, a costume contest, and the energy of a supportive community, this is your chance to combine adventure with philanthropy. Whether you're diving in or cheering on others, it’s the perfect way to kick off 2025!

For more details and to register, visit: Courage Polar Bear Dip

Community Spotlight

Grey Cup in Oakville: A Special Visit by Argonauts Kicker 🏈 

Oakville got a thrilling taste of CFL glory this week as Toronto Argonauts kicker Boris Bede brought the Grey Cup to a local gym. The visit to Momentum Fitness was a celebration of the Argos’ successful 2023 season and an opportunity for the community to get up close with Canadian football’s most iconic trophy.

Bede, known for his clutch performances on the field, took time to meet fans, pose for photos, and share stories about the Argonauts’ championship journey. The event highlighted the strong connection between professional athletes and the local communities they represent.

It was an inspiring moment for gym-goers and football fans alike, as the Grey Cup symbolized teamwork, perseverance, and the joy of victory.

For more details on the event, read the full story at Oakville News.

Oakville Crusaders Rugby Club Secures $120,400 Grant for Renovations 🛠️

The Oakville Crusaders Rugby Club has received a $120,400 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant to renovate their clubhouse. Planned updates include inclusive shower facilities, upgraded interiors, and enhanced community spaces.

Club President Chris Tudor-Price called the project "transformational," aiming to create a more inclusive and modern space for the club’s 700+ members, ranging from ages 4 to 74. Renovations are set to begin in early 2025.

For more, visit Oakville News.

Weather

Monday, December 30
🌧️ Morning showers, cloudy and windy.
🌡️ High: 6°C | Low: 0°C

Tuesday, December 31
☁️ Cloudy with afternoon rain; possible wintry mix later.
🌡️ High: 4°C | Low: 1°C

Wednesday, January 1
❄️ Breezy morning, cloudy with snow showers.
🌡️ High: 4°C | Low: -2°C

⚠️ Rainfall Warning ⚠️
🌧️ Significant rainfall expected today, with 20–30 mm possible. Be cautious of ponding water and potential flooding.

📌 Stay safe and check for updates as weather conditions can change!

Events

NYE 2025 at the Oakville Conference Centre

Location: Oakville Conference Centre, Oakville
Description: Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style with a glamorous evening featuring a delicious dinner, live music, and dancing.
Tickets

New Year’s Eve Gala at the Burlington Convention Centre

Location: Burlington Convention Centre, Burlington
Description: An elegant gala evening to welcome 2025 with fine dining, entertainment, and a countdown celebration.
Tickets

New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Marine Tavern

Location: 49 Bronte Road, Oakville
Description: A festive event featuring great food, live entertainment, and a midnight countdown to ring in the new year.
Tickets

New Year’s Eve 2025: Biggest Bollywood New Year

Location: 959 Derry Road, Mississauga
Description: Dance into 2025 with the biggest Bollywood-themed New Year celebration in the area, featuring DJs, live performances, and authentic cuisine.
Tickets

Jack de Keyzer New Year’s Eve

Location: Leander Boat Club, Hamilton
Description: Enjoy a spectacular blues performance by Jack de Keyzer while celebrating the new year with live music and great company.
Tickets

New Year’s Eve Coyote Howl

Location: Bronte Creek Provincial Park, Oakville
Description: A family-friendly outdoor celebration with music and activities. Visit Oakville Site for more info.

New Year’s Eve Dance with the Armadillos Band

Location: 79 Jones Street, Bronte
Description: Dance to The Armadillos band, they cover classic rock, country and all current favourites.
Tickets

Gatsby New Year’s Eve at Ce Soir

Location: Oakville, ON
Description: Ring in 2025 in true roaring ‘20s style with a Gatsby New Year's Eve at Ce Soir! Enjoy: $150 Prix Fixe Dinner, Live Dancers, DJ, & an All-Night Party!
Tickets

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 next week!

P.S. Interested in sponsoring our newsletter? Email us at [email protected].