Oakville, Canada
Region: Ontario
Geographic Coordinates: 43.450000, -79.683300
Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 40.0°C (-40°F to 104°F)
Climate: Oakville has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, and experiences precipitation throughout the year.
Population: 193832
Language: English
Oakville is a lovely town situated in the Halton Region of Ontario, Canada. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, It has a population of around 200, 000 people. The town is famous for its charming streets lined with historic homes, Beautiful parks and gardens, And top-rated schools. The waterfront is one of Oakville’s main attractions. With over 200 kilometers of shoreline along Lake Ontario, There are plenty of activities to enjoy such as boating, Fishing, Swimming and picnicking. Bronte Harbour Marina is a popular spot for boaters as it offers full-service marina facilities including boat rentals.
Oakville also has an abundance of green space with over 150 parks spread throughout the town. Gairloch Gardens is one notable park that features stunning formal gardens which are perfect for taking a stroll or hosting events like weddings or family gatherings. Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre is another popular park in Oakville that offers various recreational activities such as tennis courts, Indoor/outdoor pools and fitness programs. The downtown area offers an array of unique shops, Restaurants and cafes that cater to all tastes.
There are plenty of options for fine dining experiences such as Seasons Restaurant or Cucci Ristorante which offer exquisite menus featuring local ingredients prepared by expert chefs. For those who enjoy arts & culture; Oakville Centre for Performing Arts hosts various performances throughout the year including theatre productions from renowned artists both locally & internationally acclaimed musicians playing jazz to classical music while showcasing their talents on stage.
Oakville’s education system ranks among one of Canada’s best with some highly regarded schools like Appleby College – an independent boarding school offering world-class education to students from around the globe – making it one amongst many reasons why families choose to settle here. Overall, Oakville provides an exceptional quality-of-life experience due to its natural beauty combined with excellent amenities making it ideal for both families and individuals seeking a peaceful and serene lifestyle.
Important Landmarks
- Oakville Harbour
- Bronte Creek Provincial Park
- Glen Abbey Golf Course
- Erchless Estate
- Lakeside Park Carousel
- Coronation Park
- Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre
- Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
- Sixteen Mile Creek Trail
- Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate
Primary Industries
- Automotive manufacturing: Oakville is home to Ford Motor Company of Canada’s assembly plant, which is one of the largest employers in the city.
- Technology: Oakville has a growing technology sector with companies such as Geotab and Pelmorex Media Inc. having their headquarters there.
- Healthcare: The healthcare sector is also significant in Oakville with several hospitals and medical centers located in the city.
- Retail: There are numerous shopping centers and retail outlets throughout Oakville including the popular Oakville Place Mall.
- Financial services: Several banks and financial institutions have branches or offices in Oakville including TD Bank Group and RBC Royal Bank.
- Food processing: There are several food processing companies located in Oakville such as Mondelez International (formerly Kraft Foods).
- Construction: The construction industry is also active in the city due to ongoing residential and commercial development projects.
- Professional services: Many law firms accounting firms, and other professional service providers have offices or practices in Oakville due to its proximity to Toronto’s financial district.
Noteable History
- Oakville was founded in 1827 by William Chisholm, a businessman from Quebec.
- Oakville played a vital role in the Underground Railroad, providing refuge for escaped slaves from the United States.
- During the War of 1812, British forces used Oakville as a naval base.
- Sir John Colborne served as Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1828 to 1836 and is buried at St. Jude’s Cemetery in Oakville.
- Laura Secord lived in downtown Oakville and famously warned British forces about an impending American attack during the War of 1812.
- The Glen Abbey Golf Course has hosted several major golf tournaments including the Canadian Open and PGA Championships.
- Robert Bateman is an internationally renowned wildlife artist who has lived and worked in Oakville for many years.
- Queen Elizabeth II visited Oakville during her tour of Canada in 1973 to mark the town’s sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary.
- Although Tim Hortons first opened its doors in Hamilton, Ontario, it quickly expanded into nearby communities like Burlington and eventually into cities like Mississauga and Toronto – with one location opening up right here on Lakeshore Road West!
- The Oakvile Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) opened on December 11th,1950 as a small community hospital with only two doctors on staff – Drs.Glen Brown and Jack McPherson – serving a population of just over 10,000 people.
Museums and Things To See
- Oakville Galleries
- Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum
- Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
- Bronte Creek Provincial Park
- Erchless Estate (Oakville Museum)
- Lakeside Park Carousel
- Sovereign House
- Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre
- St Mary’s Anglican Church
- Oakville Harbour
Sports Teams
- Oakville Blades – The Oakville Blades is a junior ice hockey team that competes in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). The team was established in 1966 and has achieved multiple championships over the years.
- Oakville Blue Devils – The Oakville Blue Devils is a semi-professional soccer team that participates in the League1 Ontario. They were founded in 2005 and have won several league titles.
- Oakville Vytis FC – Oakville Vytis FC is a Canadian Lithuanian soccer club situated in Oakville, Ontario. They play in the Canadian Soccer League and were established in 2015.
- Crusaders Rugby Club – The Crusaders Rugby Club is a rugby union club located out of Burlington, but with numerous members from nearby communities such as Oakville. Established back on 1968, they have attained multiple national championships.
- Halton Hills Eagles Lacrosse Association – Although not technically located within the town of Oakville, this lacrosse association attracts players from surrounding areas including Oakville. It was formed back on 1999 and has expanded to become one of the largest lacrosse organizations outside of Toronto with teams at all levels from tyke to senior men’s and women’s teams competing at both provincial and national levels.
- Oakvillians Rugby Football Club: This rugby club was established back on May 30th,1973 by John Farrow who felt there was an opportunity for rugby to grow within his community.They offer programs for both men’s and women’s rugby as well as youth development programs.
- Oak Park Tennis Club: In April of 1980, two tennis enthusiasts named Jim Hume and Ron Smith decided it would be beneficial to establish a tennis club within their community.This led to them founding what is now known as the “Oak Park Tennis Club” which offers various programs throughout all seasons for people looking to learn or improve their tennis skills.
Cultural Events
- Oakville Family Ribfest is an annual event that draws in thousands of visitors who come to enjoy live music, food vendors, and carnival rides.
- The Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival is a free festival that showcases local and international jazz musicians performing on multiple stages throughout the downtown area.
- The Oakville Waterfront Festival is a summer festival that offers live music, food vendors, a beer garden, and water activities such as paddleboarding and kayaking.
- Kerrfest is a community celebration that features live music from local bands, food vendors, and a street market with artisanal goods.
- The Oakville Children’s Festival is designed for families with interactive performances by children’s entertainers, face painting stations, crafts tables and more.
- Bronte Village Garlic Fest celebrates all things garlic at this popular outdoor festival featuring garlic-themed foods from local restaurants and artisans.
- During the holiday season in December-January every year Bronte Harbour lights up with beautiful festive lights display along the lakeshore at Lakeside Festival of Lights.
- The four-day Oakville Film Festival showcases Canadian films in various categories including feature films & documentaries.
Cuisine
- Cucci Ristorante: This Italian restaurant offers a fine dining experience with an extensive wine list and traditional Italian dishes.
- The Gingerman Social Eatery: This restaurant serves modern Canadian cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
- Harpers Landing: This casual eatery offers a diverse menu that includes burgers, salads, pizzas, and seafood dishes.
- Hexagon Restaurant: This French bistro-style restaurant features classic French dishes made with fresh local ingredients.
- Noble Bistro Oakville: This farm-to-table restaurant focuses on seasonal Canadian cuisine with an emphasis on sustainability.
- La Parisienne Crêperie & Bistro: This cozy bistro serves authentic French crêpes and other classic French dishes.
- Corks Restaurant & Wine Bar: This upscale eatery features a menu of contemporary Canadian cuisine paired with an extensive wine list.
- Buca Di Bacco Ristorante & Pizzeria: This family-owned Italian restaurant specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza and homemade pasta dishes.
- The Firehall Cool Bar Hot Grill: Known for its signature burgers and craft beers, this casual spot is a popular hangout for locals.
- Bru Restaurant & Catering: A modern gastropub that serves up elevated pub fare alongside craft beers and cocktails in a lively atmosphere.
- Bronte Creek Provincial Park
- Glen Abbey Golf Course
- Lions Valley Park
- Oakville Harbour
- Sixteen Mile Creek Trail
- Coronation Park
- Lakeside Park
- Shell Park
- Joshua’s Creek Trail
- Tannery Park