Municipal Open House

Join us on Sunday, May 3, 2026, for our annual Municipal Open House.

Visit some of the City's municipal buildings and get the inside scoop on how your city operates. Participating sites include:

Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility
City Hall
Central Fire Station
Animal Care and Adoption Centre
City Archives

These sites will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Descriptions of the tours can be found below, as well as accessibility information.

Following the site visits, join us at one of our participating community centres for family friendly fun from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

We will be offering games in the gym, outdoor play, arts and crafts, a sensory area and refreshments at the following facilities:

Kenmout Terrace Community Centre
Kilbride Lions Community Centre
Southlands Community Centre

Participating Sites

Visit the following sites from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility

Address: 340 East White Hills Road

Do you know how waste is processed and managed effectively to minimize environmental impact? Come join this guided bus tour of the environmental features of the Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility and gain awareness about sustainability and responsible waste practices.

Parking, including accessible parking, is available onsite. Follow the directions once at Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility for where to park.

City Hall

Address: 10 New Gower Street

Come tour City Hall! Stroll the halls of this 55-year-old building and admire its Brutalist architecture. Check out the Great Hall which is adorned with public art acquired through the City’s Art Procurement Program. Visitors are invited to participate in a scavenger hunt to be entered into a prize draw!

Visit Council Chambers where Council, the main governing and legislative body of the City of St. John’s, holds public meetings and makes decisions that impact you on a municipal level. Ring the bell that starts the Regular Meetings, sit in the Mayoral Chair, and bang the Mayor’s gavel.

Information booths with City employees will also be situated within City Hall offering information regarding Planning and Development, Occupational Health and Safety, Engagement and Parking and Pay Station information.

Parking is available in the parking garage adjacent to City Hall or in the downtown area. Accessible parking is available outside the main entrance of City Hall on a first come, first serve basis. Please note that parking is free on the weekends.

Central Fire Station

Address: 5 Fort Townshend

Meet the brave firefighters of the fire department, who work tirelessly to keep our community safe. You will learn about fire safety and also have the opportunity to get your photo taken with one of the fire trucks on this self-guided tour.

Limited parking can be found around the back of the fire station and on the street. No parking is available in the front parking lot.

Animal Care and Adoption Centre

Address: 81 Higgins Line

Visit the Animal Care and Adoption Centre for this guided tour where our attentive staff care for and support our furry friends. Staff will have hankies for dogs, a treat table and a mock surgery set up for visitors to experience. The Centre will also be offering free licensing for dogs and cats during this event.

Limited parking is available onsite, including accessible parking.

City Archives

Address: 15 Terra Nova Road

Learn about the rich history of our city at the archives building, where fascinating stories and archival photos await in this guided tour. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience archival documents: maps, photographs, ledgers, microfilm, council minutes; and get a behind the scenes peek at the archival stacks.

Visitors can test their St. John's knowledge with our Archives Quiz. Staff will be available for discussion and to answer questions.

Limited parking is available onsite, including accessible parking.

Community Centres

The following community centres will be setup for family friendly play for all ages from 1 to 2:30 p.m.:

Kenmount Terrace Community Centre, 85 Messenger Drive
Kilbride Lions Community Centre, 34 Fahey Street
Southlands Community Centre, 40 Teakwood Drive

Free Swim - Paul Reynolds Community Centre

Thanks to Year of the Sport funding from the Provincial Government, we are also pleased to offer a free public swim in celebration of Municipal Awareness Week at Paul Reynolds Community Centre from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The free swim is on a first come, first serve basis until maximum capacity is reached.

Accessibility

All venues have accessible parking and washrooms, are mobility device accessible, and the main entrances will be marked by signage. For accessibility information for our community centres, visit our Community Centres Webpage.

For local Metrobus transportation and accessible public transportation routes to these venues, please visit metrobus.com.

The City of St. John’s strives to create accessible and inclusive programs and services where possible. To request accommodations, learn more, or provide feedback or suggestions, please call 709-576-7160 or email kcooper@stjohns.ca.

Each May, the City hosts an open house to provide residents an opportunity to learn more about how your city operates. Participating sites may include:

Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility
City Hall
Central Fire Station
Animal Care and Adoption Centre
City Archives

The 2026 Open House was held on May 3. Stay tuned for 2027 dates!

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