City of Castlegar

05/29/2026

🍁Canada Day Planning Underway in Castlegar 🍁

The City of Castlegar is planning a free, family-friendly Canada Day celebration at Millennium Park & Ponds on Wednesday, July 1, and everyone is invited to join the fun.

The event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and kicks off with the singing of O Canada, followed by activities and entertainment for all ages. Canada Day in Castlegar is a chance to spend time together, enjoy Millennium Park & Ponds, and take part in a community celebration for all ages.

Event highlights include:
• Free hot dogs and Canada Day cupcakes while supplies last
• Live entertainment on stage throughout the day
• An interactive Kids Play Zone with face painting and engaging activities
• Canada Day tattoos, stickers, flags, and other fun goodies for kids
• Adult-friendly games
• A special Canada Day chalk art piece created by local artist Peter Vogelaar
• Chalk available for kids to create their own sidewalk masterpieces

“Canada Day is a wonderful opportunity to come together, enjoy time with neighbours, and celebrate the community we are so fortunate to call home,” says Councillor Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff, Chair of the Cultural and Civic Pride Committee. “This year’s event will have something for everyone, from family activities and live entertainment to new adult-friendly games and a special chalk art feature. We hope to see lots of people at Millennium Park & Ponds for a fun and welcoming celebration.”

Seeking Volunteers:
The City is also seeking volunteers to support the event. Volunteers will help with setup, activities, and takedown, and play an important role in creating a safe and enjoyable celebration for the community. To learn more about volunteering, visit castlegar.ca/events.

05/22/2026

There is still time! Learn more about the 2026 Census below:

If you still haven’t completed your household’s census questionnaire, it’s not too late!

The data collected will provide high-quality information about Canadian communities from coast to coast to coast.

Complete it here today: https://www.census.gc.ca/en/index?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=smo&utm_campaign=statcan-statcan-cpop2026-coll.

05/22/2026

Keep Castlegar Wild and Safe: Take Action to Prevent Wildlife Encounters

The City of Castlegar encourages all residents to take proactive steps to prevent attractants that bring wildlife into neighbourhoods and to help maintain a safe, clean, and healthy community.

Wildlife activity in and around Castlegar increases as the days grow longer and temperatures rise. Improperly managed garbage, pet food, compost, and fallen fruit can attract animals like rats, coyotes, bears, raccoons, and skunks into residential areas, posing risks to residents and wildlife.

What can you do?

CURBSIDE GARBAGE & ORGANICS CARTS
• Store carts in a secure building or enclosure between collection days.
• If outdoor storage is necessary, ensure both clips are locked, and the cart is chained to a sturdy post or tree to prevent tipping.
• Freeze particularly smelly food items (e.g., meat, bones, rotten fruit) and place them in your organics cart on collection day.
• If your cart or clips are damaged, contact the City for repairs or replacements.
• Avoid overflowing carts by taking surplus garbage directly to the landfill.

CLEANING YOUR ORGANICS CART
• Line the bottom of your cart with newspaper, a paper bag, or yard waste to absorb moisture and prevent food from sticking.
• After collection, rinse the cart with water over a landscaped area to remove any remaining residue.
• Try natural deodorizers like baking soda, Borax, or vinegar mixed with water to reduce smells.

COLLECTION TIMES
• Only place carts and recycling containers on the curb with clips unlocked between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.
• Carts and recycling placed after 7:00 a.m. may not be collected, leaving waste exposed and potentially attracting wildlife.
• Fines may be issued for carts not secured or placed on the curb outside of the designated collection window.

PREVENT OTHER ATTRACTANTS
• Promptly pick all ripe fruit and nuts to prevent them from becoming a food source for wildlife.
• Feed pets indoors and store pet food inside.
• Remove bird feeders during non-winter months when natural food sources are abundant.
• Keep barbecues clean and free of food residue.
• Ensure compost bins are properly sealed and maintained.
• Businesses should keep outdoor grease bins or containers secure.

By taking these proactive measures, residents can significantly reduce the likelihood of wildlife encounters and contribute to a safer and more responsible community. Managing attractants is not just about preventing nuisances — it’s about coexisting respectfully with the wildlife that shares our environment.

The WildSafeBC Community Coordinator role will resume in Castlegar in July. This seasonal position focuses on reducing human-wildlife conflict through education, outreach, and community engagement. Using a multi-faceted approach, the Coordinator helps increase public awareness about local wildlife and how to safely coexist. For more information or to connect with the Coordinator, email [email protected] or visit WildSafeBC Castlegar

Between now and July, when the Coordinator role resumes, please contact the Bylaw Compliance and Enforcement Officer with any questions [email protected]

For more information on living safely with wildlife, visit https://wildsafebc.com/

05/22/2026

🍁 Help Bring Canada Day to Life in Castlegar!

The City of Castlegar is looking for volunteers to help bring our Canada Day celebration at Millennium Park & Ponds to life on Wednesday, July 1, 2026! 🇨🇦

Volunteers will need to be on site by 8:00 a.m. to help with set up and event preparations, and stay past 3:00 p.m. to assist with take down.

Volunteering is a great way to connect with your community, meet new people, and help create a joyful and safe celebration for families. ❤️

Interested? Contact Councillor Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff at [email protected] or 250-608-2655.

Thank you for helping make this a memorable day for everyone! 🙌

05/21/2026

Traffic Notice: Pavement Renewal Work

The City will be completing pavement renewal work from Monday, May 25 to Friday, May 29, 2026, at the locations shown on the maps/photos:

1. Columbia Avenue – northbound and southbound driving lanes between 9th Street and 10th Street
2. Columbia Avenue – southbound driving lane between 13th Avenue and 3rd Street
3. Hughes Road – section near the West Kootenay Regional Airport

During this work, single-lane alternating traffic will be in place.

Please plan for minor delays, follow traffic control, and use extra caution around crews and equipment.

Thank you for your patience while this work is completed.

Questions? [email protected]

05/15/2026

Victoria Day Long Weekend Office Closures

City Hall and Civic Works offices will be closed on Monday, May 18, for the Victoria Day long weekend.

Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, May 19.

Wishing everyone a wonderful long weekend.

05/08/2026

💦 Good news, Castlegar — the splash park at Kinsmen Park is open for the season!

Cool off, play, and enjoy some summer fun daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

📍 Kinsmen Park
910 2nd Street

Questions? Contact Civic Works at [email protected].

05/05/2026

Traffic Notice – 2600 Block Columbia Avenue - Starting May 6

The City is completing a leak repair at the 2600 Block Columbia Avenue starting Wednesday, May 6. Work may continue through the end of the week.

Traffic will be affected in the area, with slower speeds and possible delays due to single-lane alternating traffic.

Please watch for crews and equipment, follow traffic control, and plan for extra travel time if you are travelling through the area.

For questions, please contact Civic Works at [email protected].

Thank you for your patience while this repair is completed.

05/01/2026

Traffic Notice – Road Closure – Monday, May 4 to Friday, May 8

The City has planned utilities work at 2412 6th Avenue from Monday, May 4, to Friday, May 8, 2026 which will affect traffic flow in this area.

A full road closure is expected at 2412 6th Avenue (see map).

This work is necessary to provide a new utility service.

We appreciate your patience and encourage drivers to plan ahead and consider an alternate route if possible.

Thank you for your understanding, as this essential work is completed.

05/01/2026

A great reminder for Castlegar residents getting started on spring yard cleanup: Ootischenia Landfill is accepting Yard & Garden waste for free during the month of May.

During the month of May, the following Resource Recovery Facilities in the West & Central Subregions will be accepting Yard & Garden waste for free:
• Balfour Transfer Station
• Burton Transfer Station
• Central (Salmo) Transfer Station
• Edgewood Transfer Station
• Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Station
• Kaslo Transfer Station
• Marblehead Transfer Station
• Nakusp Transfer Station
• Ootischenia (Castlegar) Landfill
• Rosebery Transfer Station
• Slocan Transfer Station

The following restrictions apply:
• Invasive species & noxious weeds MUST be partitioned from Yard & Garden waste and disposed of separately.
• limit of one pick-up truck load per customer, per day at transfer stations.
• commercial loads and loads greater than 2.5 m3 accepted at LANDFILLS ONLY.
• Site Staff reserve the right to limit the number of loads disposed by any customer, based on available storage space.
Visit our website for restrictions and further information – https://www.rdck.ca/