School Bus Strike

A potential school bus strike in the Kingston area has been averted.

Unifor has announced it has reached a tentative contract agreement with First Student Canada.  The union represents 55 bus drivers with First Student Canada who provide transportation to 11 schools in the Kingston area.

The union had served notice the drivers could have gone on strike as early as May 8th.

A ratification vote on the tentative agreement will take place in the near future.

Naming Rights

The end of a ten year era in downtown Kingston is quickly approaching.

The Rogers K-Rock Centre is about to become the Leon’s Centre.

A report for the Tuesday night Kingston City Council meeting recommends council approve giving Leon’s Furniture the naming rights.  Leon’s submitted the highest bid for the naming rights.  It will pay $257,500 in the first year of the five year deal with increases matching inflation in each of the following four years.  It will have an option to extend the naming rights for another five years.

The signs will change on July 1st.

Political Happenings – Kingston

Candidates running in the Ontario election will be busy in Kingston this weekend.

Kingston and the Islands Trillium Party candidate Andre Imbeault and Lonnie Harrington of Hastings-Lennox and Addington are hosting a free chili dinner at the Amherstview Community Hall from 4 to 8pm tomorrow. Trillium Party Leader Bob Yaciuk and MPP Jack MacLaren will be in attendance.

And…Kingston and the Islands Progressive Conservative candidate Gary Bennett will host a reception from 11 am to 2 pm for the opening of his campaign office in the Peachtree Plaza.

Sports Tourism

Kingston will get the economic benefits from a couple of top level events this weekend.

More than 600 athletes from across the province will compete in the Ontario Cup Trampoline championships taking place at the Memorial Centre.

The 20th annual Trillium Blooms gymnastics competition is also taking place this weekend.

Over 500 competitors from Ontario will be taking part in qualifier for provincial championships hosted by Trillium Gymnastics.

Bicycle Auction

If you’re in need of a bicycle…the Kingston Police Spring Auction is taking place tomorrow.

There’s a room full of bikes up for bidding in the auction at the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.  The doors open at 8:00 a.m. and the auction starts at 10.

Coady – Visitation

The family of retired Colonel Gerry Coady has planned visitation for a month from now after Coady passed away this week.  The former commander of CFB Kingston died at age 76 from ALS related dementia.

He is credited with saving CFB Kingston from closing when he was commander in the early 90’s and is remembered for his charitable work following his retirement.

Visitation on Thursday, May 31st and Friday, June 1st will be at the James Reid Funeral Home on John Counter Boulevard.  His funeral will take place at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday, June 2nd.

Rock Dunder

The OPP has issued a reminder to people about the popular Rock Dunder hiking trail.

Police say the nature reserve is closed to the public and it has received numerous complaints about people trespassing at Rock Dunder.

The OPP says it regularly patrols the area and offenders can be ticketed or even arrested for trespassing.

Traffic note:

A traffic note for the weekend…John Counter Boulevard will be closed at the rail crossing near the VIA station from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday.  CN Rail will be making repairs to the crossing

Filed under: Auction, Avoided, Bicycle, CFB Kingston, Coady, July 1st, Kingston, Leon's Centre, Naming Rights, Political Happenings, Rock Dunder, Rogers K-Rock Centre, School Bus Strike, Signs change, Sports Tourism, Traffic Note, Unifor, Visitation