This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.
Election Information
Kenora Residents
The upcoming Municipal and School Board Election is an opportunity to help shape our community's future.
Learn about getting on the Voters' List, voting by phone or online, options for voting while away during the election period, and see the official candidate list.
The City of Kenora works on key projects to improve and maintain municipal infrastructure. These infrastructure projects are identified in the Asset Management Plan and the Capital Budget, and include:
roads
bridges
facilities
water system
Municipal growth and development activities also exist for local opportunities and significant projects in the City of Kenora by the City and investors or builders.
Capital projects
View some key capital projects planned for this year below.
The Bowman Electric Keewatin Memorial Arena will be getting an elevator, increasing accessibility to the second floor. Funding for this project is made possible through the generous support of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).
Updates
(as of September 16, 2026)
The construction work is currently in progress and nearing completion. Project is expected to be completed in Fall 2026.
Plans include new pathways, parking, landscaping, and additional play features. The stormwater throughout the park will receive an upgrade along with the main pipe on First Street South.
Updates
(as of September 16, 2026)
The playground and pathways are open to the public.
Completing finishing touches on the updated parking area.
Details about a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will be announced soon.
The Lake of the Woods Museum roof will be getting an upgrade. The planned improvements include replacing the shingle roof with new metal roofing, installation of a solar power system, and replacement of eavestrough, downspouts, venting, and fascia.
These planned improvements demonstrate the City's commitment to seek sustainable solutions to reduce environmental impacts of City operations. The enhancements also support the Sustainability Action Plan’s priorities for showcasing renewable energy and incorporating green infrastructure.
Funding for these upgrades are generously provided by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC), Sustainability Advisory Committee, and the City’s Museum Reserve and Contingency Reserve.
Updates
(as of September 16, 2026)
Access to The Muse's Lake of the Woods Museum and the Douglas Family Art Centre will remain available through the main entrances.
Memorial Park courtyard may be periodically inaccessible to support construction activities.
The park will receive new deck structure surrounding the James McMillan tugboat and a new fully accessible ramp. Funding for this project is made possible through the generous support of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).
Updates
(as of September 16, 2026)
Construction in progress.
Construction fencing has been placed around the tugboat.
The old wood platform surrounding the tugboat has been removed.
The washrooms, picnic tables, and play area remain open at this time. When closure is required a public notice will be issued.
From April 2025 to last summer, the repair work design for the rehabilitation of the Portage Bay Bridge was undertaken and the contract was awarded to the same contractor performing work on the Keewatin Channel Bridge.
Repairs to the Portage Bay Bridge initially began in October 2025, at which time the contractor uncovered additional deterioration that not previously visible.
To address this, the workplan was adjusted and work was completed in two phases:
Repairs are being undertaken in two phases:
Phase 1, began in April 2026: temporary bracing and installation of high-strength bolts to replace old rivets to stabilize the structure for the permanent repairs.
Phase 2, began in June 2026: permanent repairs, where new brackets and tension structural rods that will help carry the load were be installed.
Updates
(as of September 16, 2026)
The City is committed to the safe reopening of the Portage Bay bridge and the City is actively working towards a solution.
Following completion of the Phrase 2 repairs in July 2026, stress-test data indicated that portions of the bridge’s bottom chord are not behaving as anticipated.
Based on this assessment, the bridge was not able to reopen in July as anticipated.
$576,000 being invested to improve both hard surface and loose top roads, ensuring better connectivity for residents.
Updates
(as of September 16, 2026)
Hardtop repairs to Essex Road and Beauty Bay Road began at the end of July have been completed. This included replacing and repairing existing hard surface sections of the roads that were in need of repairs.
Loosetop Road repairs to Carlton Branch Road scheduled start by the end of September.
Project start date
Currently in progress.
Estimated completion in Winter 2026.
Road paving
Investing $8,747,376 for paving municipal roadways.
Parts of this planned road paving work are supported by the Province of Ontario’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program – Housing Enabling Core Services Stream.
The road structure will be fully reconstructed. A new 3 metre wide asphalt pathway will replace the old 1.5 metre sidewalk on the south side of the road, which will improve active transportation connectivity.
Upgrades to the Nethercutt Drive intersection will also take place, including storm sewer upgrades to improve drainage, and merge lane reconfiguration to improve safety for traffic merging onto Nethercutt Drive and Lakeview Drive.
The Nethercutt Drive intersection will see changes that minimize both capital and ongoing maintenance costs, improve active transportation and incorporate accessibility features are underway. When the construction is nearing completion, vehicle-presence-activated traffic light sensors, rather than timer-activated, will be installed.
Lakeview Drive Conceptual Design
Nethercutt Drive Intersection - Pedestrian Travel on Multi-Use Pathway
Nethercutt Drive Intersection - Bicycle Travel on Multi-Use Pathway
Updates
(as of September 16, 2026)
Base layer asphalt pavement has been placed on the whole project.
Final layer asphalt has been placed on approximately 80 percent complete, and work progressing at the Nethercutt Drive intersection.
At the Nethercutt Drive intersection, changes that minimize both capital and ongoing maintenance costs, improve active transportation and incorporate accessibility features are underway.
At the Nethercutt Drive intersection, existing traffic light sensors were removed as part of the project, which has temporarily caused longer wait times. The future traffic light sensors will be vehicle-presence-activated, rather than timer-activated, restoring past travel experience through this intersection. There is a delay in receiving the new vehicle detection equipment.
The Parsons Street and Minnesota Street intersection project includes:
new curbing
a multi-use pathway to improve accessibility and accommodate a variety of users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and others who travel through the area via active transportation
final traffic signaling and lane configuration that will include protected left-turns in both directions.
Parsons Street and Minnesota Street Intersection Conceptual Design
Parsons and Minnesota Intersection - Traffic Flow with Protected Left-Turn LanesParsons and Minnesota Intersection - Pedestrian Travel on Multi-Use PathParsons and Minnesota Intersection - Bicycle Travel on Multi-Use Path
Updates
Overnight construction continues at the Parsons Street and Lakeview Drive intersection.
Concrete work is ongoing.
Crews are working towards finishing the curbing, multi-use pathways, line painting, and sensor-based traffic light signals.
Please follow reduced speed limits and traffic control signs.
Reminder: this project includes traffic light signaling and lane configuration that will include protected left-turns in both directions, new curbing, and a multi-use pathway for pedestrians, cyclists, and forms of active transportation. As construction progresses, these new additions will become more apparent.
The sidewalk continues to be closed to complete the new multi-use path.
The public can access businesses and services in the construction zone remains, although entrances may be temporarily moved.
A full road reconstruction, along with curb, gutter, and storm sewer upgrades to improve drainage. There will be modifications to the road centre line elevation to improve driver sightlines and addresses safety concerns related to the existing sightlines.
A sewer and water extension is being added to the project, underground piping to be installed.
Railway Street Phase 4 Design Drawing
Updates
(as of September 16, 2026)
Project in progress and expected to be completed late Fall 2026.
A full road reconstruction is coming, along with curb, gutter, and storm sewer upgrades to improve drainage.
There will be modifications to the road centre line elevation to improve driver sightlines and addresses safety concerns related to the existing sightlines.
Roadway access will be closed in both the westbound and eastbound directions, except for local traffic accessing this street.
A temporary detour will be implemented along Ninth Street North, Sixteenth Street North, and Airport Road.
A sewer and water extension is being added to the project.
Garbage collection by the City of Kenora will continue as per regular collection schedule.
Adding a sidewalk crossing across the railroad tracks. The crossing sidewalk will connect existing sidewalks on Six Street North and Railway Street, which will improve pedestrian connectivity and crossing safety.
Sixteenth Avenue North Railway Crossing Design Drawing
Updates
Project estimated to start in September.
Will be adding a sidewalk crossing across the railroad tracks. The crossing sidewalk will connect existing sidewalks on Six Street North and Railway Street.
Fourth Avenue South, from Fifth Street South to 100 metres south, will see a full reconstruction, which includes a new road structure, new asphalt, sidewalk replacement, and a streetlight replacement.
Fourth Avenue South Design Drawing
Updates
(as of September 16, 2026)
Project is expected to begin by end of September and continue during Fall 2026.
There will be full reconstruction, which includes a new road structure, new asphalt, sidewalk replacement, and a streetlight replacement.
The current playground will be replaced with a new accessible playground. The new playground will feature a fully rubber mat, structures that will exceed AODA requirements, and the boardwalk will connect to the new rubber matted surface. Funding for this project is made possible through the generous support of the Government of Canada's Enabling Accessibility Fund, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), and the Kenora Rotary Club.
Corrosion protection and structural rehabilitation. Funding is supported by Ontario’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program – Housing Enabling Core Services Stream, the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, and the Canada Community-Building Fund.
This project is complete
The Keewatin Channel Bridge opened two-way traffic in March 2026.
The contractor returned in late July to apply paint coating to the locations where the scaffolding was mounted to the structure.
Redesign and upgrades of the entrance lobby. Funding for this project is made possible through the support of the Province of Ontario Strategic Priorities Infrastructure Fund.
Subscribe to stay informed about what matters to you. Get the latest news, alerts, events from the City of Kenora, and choose to receive The City Compass eNewsletter directly in your email inbox.
Lakeview Drive Conceptual Design 
Parsons Street and Minnesota Street Intersection Conceptual Design
