Building for Better

10/09/2026

Thirty-six responses. One shared river. Plenty of ideas worth exploring.
The Beacon Herald takes a closer look at the community imagination behind Flowing Futures and the exhibition now on display at Copperlight.
Read the story below, then experience the ideas in person October 15–17.
The Awards Celebration takes place October 17 from 7–9 p.m.

https://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/news/provocation-ideas-festival-celebrating-successful-flowing-futures-campaign/

Festival received 36 responses to question about what residents would like to see for the Avon River.

10/08/2026

Building for better also means showing up for the communities we call home.

A great turnout from the BMI team and their families in support of a great local cause. Well done, everyone!

Healthy communities start with healthy people.

Congratulations to the BMI team members and their families who laced up for the Stratford 5K this weekend. It was great to see our group making time for movement, fresh air and a little friendly challenge together.

Well done team!

10/06/2026

Something new is taking shape in downtown Stratford.

Meet The Bradshaw Towns, a boutique collection of just ten brownstone-inspired residences designed for refined, low-maintenance living close to the heart of the city.

Follow for construction progress, home details and a closer look at what’s coming.

10/05/2026

Well over 50 people gathered at Copperlight for Friday’s opening of the Flowing Futures exhibition, and the room was alive with ideas for Stratford’s Avon River.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, including BMI CEO Paul Veldman and his family, and to PIF’s leadership for opening the evening with such inspiring words.

Missed it? The exhibition returns:

October 16 | 7–9 p.m.
October 17 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Awards | October 17, 7–9 p.m.

Join us at Copperlight, 142 Ontario St, Stratford.

10/02/2026

What could the Avon River become?

Explore community-created possibilities for its future at the Flowing Futures public exhibition at Copperlight, 142 Ontario St, Stratford

Multiple dates are available throughout October, with awards presented October 17. See the graphic for details.

08/21/2026

If you’ve been meaning to submit an idea for the future of Stratford’s Avon River, now is the time.

Flowing Futures submissions close August 28.

You don’t need professional design experience, technical expertise, or a perfectly polished proposal. The challenge is open to everyone, and your idea deserves better than being left in your head because you waited too long to submit it.

Don’t miss the deadline.

Submit your idea now: https://pif.blitzen.com/form/flowing-futures-avon-river-design-challenge-official-submission

08/19/2026

The ideas are flowing, and there’s still time to add yours.

So far, the Flowing Futures Design Challenge has invited thoughtful, imaginative visions for the future of Stratford’s Avon River, including:

🩸 Inspirational Memoir Talks
Community storytelling centred on lived experience, resilience and connection through stories of invisible illness.
🌧️ Rain Drum Installation
Tuned metal drums activated by rainfall would turn the riverfront into an interactive musical experience.
🌉 The Hyperutilitarian / Senior Assistant Mobilizer
A pedestrian bridge connecting Tom Patterson Island to the north shore would create a shorter, more accessible walking loop.
💧 River Reflections
Flowing blue and green ribbons suspended above an accessible riverside path would create an immersive experience inspired by the river and its stewardship.
🛶 Rivers to Freedom
An annual canoe ballet and river pageant would bring local history, ecology, and storytelling to life on the water.
🎨 Stratford Sculpture Walk
A year-round outdoor sculpture walk would bring art into the riverfront landscape while showcasing artists and creating a free cultural experience.
🌉 Bridge
A pedestrian bridge connecting Tom Patterson Island with the north side of Lake Victoria would expand access and create more flexibility in how people explore the river.
🌿 Trillium Turn
An interactive, trillium-inspired sculptural seat would gently rotate with the person using it, bringing art, play, and rest into the riverfront experience.

These submissions show just how many possibilities can emerge when people bring their creativity, knowledge, and connection to the river into the conversation, and the conversation isn’t finished yet.

If you’ve been considering contributing an idea, you still have time. You don’t need professional design experience, technical expertise, or a perfectly polished proposal; the challenge is open to everyone.

Submissions close August 28.

Explore the ideas shared so far, then add your own:
https://pif.blitzen.com/form/flowing-futures-avon-river-design-challenge-official-submission

08/18/2026

A milestone worth celebrating, and a meaningful way to mark it. ⛳️

Courtland Landscape & Grounds is celebrating 25 years of transforming outdoor spaces and serving communities across Southwestern Ontario.

To honour the occasion, Courtland is hosting the Silver Swing Classic Charity Golf Tournament on October 2 at The Oxford Hills in Mount Elgin. The event will bring people together for a day of golf, networking and celebration in support of Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario and the Sycamore Centre.

Congratulations to the entire Courtland team on 25 years of hard work, growth and community impact. Here’s to a successful tournament and many more years ahead.

Learn more and register:
https://www.courtland.biz/silver-swing-classic-golf-tournament

08/13/2026

What a wonderful evening along the Avon River. 💧

The Flowing Futures River Clinic brought together an enthusiastic group of community members in a friendly, open environment, one where people felt comfortable learning, asking questions, and sharing their perspectives.

Following a lovely walk along the river, participants returned to Copperlight for an engaging workshop and thoughtful discussion about the Avon’s future. The ideas, questions and conversations throughout the evening reflected just how deeply people care about the river and the possibilities ahead.

Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed and helped make the River Clinic such a success. This is exactly what Flowing Futures is about: bringing people together to imagine, explore and help shape what comes next.

Feeling inspired? There’s still time to contribute your own idea. Submissions are open until August 28:
https://pif.blitzen.com/form/flowing-futures-avon-river-design-challenge-official-submission

07/02/2026

Our picnic table lost the battle with mother nature.

During yesterday's storm, a large tree came down on our office, taking out our picnic table, raspberry bushes, and raised garden beds.

Thankfully, no one was hurt and the damage was limited to a small section of the roof.

Counting ourselves lucky today!