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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. However, these problems are currently being resolved due to a partnered initiative between St. Catharines city council, local bar owners, and the Niagara Regional Police who are maintaining an active role in rooting out a small minority of trouble makers.
Overall, Port Dalhousie's future looks bright. A new development is in the works by PDVC (Port Dalhousie Vitalization Corp.) to build a 17 story condominium complex complete with a theatre and small hotel. The developers are in the final stages of mediation, and a final decision on the future of the project will be most likely be rendered by late 2008. It should be pointed out however, that the present City Council, elected in November 2007, has passed a motion stating they do not support the previous Council's support of this project. The proposed tower development contravenes the City's Official Plan, Secondary Plan for Port Dalhousie, Zoning By-Law and Heritage Guidelines.
The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario - St. Catharines Branch is presently raising funds to defend the Heritage Guidelines at The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

Contents

Miscellanea

External links

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'', starring Joshua Jackson and Paul Walker, was shot in Port Dalhousie at the Henley rowing course and along the pier.
Most of the film ''The Boy in Blue'', starring Nicolas Cage, was filmed in different parts of Port Dalhousie.

External links

★ Saveport.ca

★ Port Dalhousie Official BIA website

★ Port Dalhousie walking tour

★ PVDC website

★ Port Dalhousie's Interactive Grassroots Community Journal

★ Images from the Historic Niagara Digital Collections at the Niagara Falls Public Library