By Claude & Parth on 2026-03-12, City: Richmond Hill, View Transcript
Richmond Hill Council heard a delegation proposing the city become the second municipality in Canada to establish a fully public outdoor archery range. The meeting also featured announcements about March break skating opportunities, an upcoming civic engagement meeting on urban forestry, and recognition of a visit by Dr. David Suzuki and his foundation. Council adopted its previous meeting minutes and moved into closed session to discuss labor relations matters.
PUBLIC ARCHERY RANGE PROPOSAL: Ward 3 resident Yuni Young, a member of E.T. Seton Archery in Toronto, presented a proposal for Richmond Hill to establish a purpose-built public outdoor archery range. Young noted that Canada currently has only one fully public outdoor archery range in Toronto, which she described as "vulnerable" due to its location in a flood-prone valley and recent Ontario Line construction that "has introduced structural elements directly onto the site." Young described the Toronto range's community impact: "Youth and seniors, pets and families, newcomers and different cultures, different backgrounds and one shared discipline, opening dozens of deep conversations in intercultural exchange." She requested council refer the matter to city staff for a "preliminary feasibility review within Richmond Hills parks planning process."
DAVID SUZUKI FOUNDATION VISIT: The Mayor highlighted a visit by Dr. David Suzuki, turning 90 this year, and the David Suzuki Foundation to Richmond Hill. The visit included an invitation-only roundtable event at Bay View Hill Community Center focused on "resilience in cities." The Mayor said: "They chose Richmond Hill because of our track record for what we've been doing in the past." The Mayor expressed pride in seeing "so many great environmental minds in the room at the same time...all pulling on the same rope in the same direction."
MARCH BREAK SKATING OPPORTUNITIES: Deputy Mayor Chan announced extended recreational opportunities during March break. Outdoor rinks remain open weather-permitting, including Bayview Hill skating rink on Spadina Road from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Indoor skating sessions are scheduled at Xafi Arena on Monday, March 16, 4:35-5:45 p.m. and 5:45-6:45 p.m., and at Tom Graham Arena at Richmond Green on Tuesday, 2:45-3:45 p.m. and 3:45-4:45 p.m.
URBAN FORESTRY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Councillor Silwitz announced a W5 Civic Engagement Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. to discuss urban forestry programs and services in Richmond Hill. The virtual meeting requires registration through the councillor's website or social media to receive the Zoom link.
CLOSED SESSION ON STAFFING POLICY: Council voted to move into closed session to discuss labor relations and employee negotiations concerning the council staffing and access policy, citing Section 239(2)(d) of the Municipal Act 2001 as legal authority.