We Grew Up or Live in Bradford West Gwillimbury

09/22/2026

Upcoming Event - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Flag Raising and Smudge
Event Details

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is a day to remember the children who never came home, honour Survivors, and commit to learning the truth.

Join Odenaang Circle, the Town of BWG and the BWG Public Library for a Smudge and Flag Raising at Sunshine Square (Leisure Centre), 471 West Park Ave. Wear orange on September 30.September 30, 2026

5:00 pm

Itinerary for September 30:
Opening and Smudge
Land Acknowledgement by Mayor Leduc
Proclamation reading by the Odenaang Circle

*Participants are invited to take a walk along Public Square to read the storyboards and learn about the truths of the residential school system and its impact on Indigenous communities across Canada. Storyboards will be on display between September 25 and October 2.

Learn more about these events at www.townofbwg.com/ndtr or at trw-svr.nctr.ca/lunch-and-learns

09/20/2026

A New Place to Run, Play & Make Memories in BWG! 🐶🐾

Today was the official opening of Bradford West Gwillimbury’s brand-new Dog Park at 2507 Line 6! 🎉

I wasn’t able to make it out for the early-morning grand opening, but I did stop by later today to have a look around and snap a few photos. I wanted to share them with everyone and help spread the word about this wonderful new addition to our community.

A dog park is more than just a place for our four-legged friends to run around. It’s a place where dogs can play, explore and socialize — and where their humans can meet, chat and become part of the community too. ❤️

The new BWG Dog Park is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., giving local dog owners plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the space with their furry family members.

📍 2507 Line 6, Bradford West Gwillimbury

If you're walking to the park, please use the controlled intersection at Line 6 and Zima Parkway to safely cross Line 6.

For those driving, parking is limited and is intended for park users only. No commercial parking is permitted, and vehicles cannot remain parked for more than 24 hours.

🐕 A few important reminders:
• Please stoop and scoop
• No smoking or va**ng
• No littering
• Follow all posted dog park rules
• All users are responsible for complying with Town by-laws and applicable legislation
• Everyone uses the dog park at their own risk

And of course, please remember that behind every wagging tail is a family member who deserves a safe, welcoming place to enjoy the outdoors. 🐾❤️

Congratulations to Bradford West Gwillimbury on this wonderful new community space!

I’m looking forward to seeing this place filled with happy dogs, wagging tails and plenty of new memories for years to come. 🐶

📸 Photos taken today at the new BWG Dog Park.

09/20/2026

Grand Opening of Look Eyecare Celebrates New Business in Bradford

September 19, 2026 — Bradford, Ontario

A new chapter in Bradford’s growing business community was celebrated today as Look Eyecare officially held its grand opening at 541 Holland Street West.

The afternoon celebration, held from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., brought together members of the local community, municipal representatives and members of the Bradford business community to welcome Look Eyecare to Bradford.

Look Eyecare is an independent optometry and optical boutique offering comprehensive eye examinations, contact lens fittings and a curated selection of eyewear and advanced lens options. The business describes its approach as combining clinical precision with personalized vision care in a modern and welcoming environment.

The grand opening was also attended by Mayor James Leduc and Deputy Mayor Raj Sandhu, who joined in celebrating the arrival of the new business. Members of the Bradford Board of Trade were also on hand to officially welcome Look Eyecare into the Bradford business community.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the opening of the new location and the beginning of Look Eyecare's journey as part of the Bradford community.

The new boutique offers a selection of eyewear from a variety of recognized and premium brands, along with eye care services designed around individual patient needs. Look Eyecare emphasizes personalized recommendations, high-quality lenses and a boutique-style experience for its patients.

Located at 541 Holland Street West, Look Eyecare is now another addition to Bradford’s expanding collection of locally owned businesses and services.

Grand openings like this are always a great opportunity to see the community come together to support a new local business. From the ribbon cutting to the conversations and celebrations throughout the afternoon, today's event marked an exciting beginning for the Look Eyecare team.

I stopped by during the grand opening to photograph the celebration, including the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the people who came out to welcome Look Eyecare to Bradford.

Congratulations to the team at Look Eyecare on their grand opening, and welcome to the Bradford community!

541 Holland Street West, Bradford, Ontario - September 19, 2026

09/13/2026

MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY FLAG RAISING 🇲🇽

Today, September 12, 2026, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury came together at the Court House Courtyard to recognize and celebrate Mexican Independence Day with a special flag-raising ceremony.

Mexican Independence Day is officially recognized on September 16, commemorating the beginning of Mexico’s fight for independence from Spanish rule.

In 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla called upon the people of Mexico to rise up and fight for self-rule. His famous call for independence took place in the city of Dolores, marking the beginning of a struggle that would ultimately lead to Mexico achieving independence in 1821.

Today, people of Mexican heritage around the world continue to honour the courage, sacrifice and determination of those who fought for the independence of their nation.

Here in Bradford West Gwillimbury, today’s flag-raising was also an opportunity to recognize the wonderful cultural diversity within our community and to celebrate the friendship and enduring relationship between Canada and Mexico.

It was a beautiful day to come together, learn a little more about Mexican history and culture, and show our support for members of our Mexican community.

A special thank you to the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Mayor James Leduc and Members of Council, and everyone who came out to take part in today’s celebration.

🇨🇦🤝🇲🇽 Happy Mexican Independence Day!



📸 Photo Copyright © 2026 Nicholas Molnar
This photograph is the property of Nicholas Molnar. Unauthorized use, reproduction, publication, or distribution of this image is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. For licensing, media inquiries, publication requests, or purchase information, please contact me directly.

09/13/2026

Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness in Bradford
Today, I stopped to photograph the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Awareness flag displayed by the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.
While there wasn't a formal flag-raising ceremony this year, the Town did recognize National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day with a proclamation, and the PKD flag was proudly displayed at the Town's flagpole at 61 Holland Street East, the Old Town Hall.
National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day is recognized each year on September 4. PKD is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases, affecting approximately 1 in 400 to 1 in 1,000 people. The disease causes cysts to develop and grow in the kidneys, which can eventually lead to declining kidney function.
The flag itself features the colours and symbol of the PKD Foundation, representing awareness, hope, support, research and the ongoing effort to find better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
Although the official awareness day has passed, awareness shouldn't stop there. For the many Canadians and families affected by PKD, recognition like this helps bring attention to a disease that can often go unseen.
I happened to notice the flag today and wanted to make sure it was photographed and shared with the community before it came down.
If you or someone you know is affected by PKD, this day is for you.
📸 Photo Copyright © 2026 Nicholas Molnar
This photograph is the property of Nicholas Molnar. Unauthorized use, reproduction, publication, or distribution of this image is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. For licensing, media inquiries, publication requests, or purchase information, please contact me directly.

09/01/2026

CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH BEGINS WITH GOLD RIBBON FLAG RAISING IN BRADFORD

September 1, 2026 — The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury marked the beginning of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month today with the raising of the gold ribbon flag outside the Bradford and West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre.

The flag raising brought together families, community members, local representatives and supporters of Candlelighters Simcoe, a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting local families whose children are facing cancer.

The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury has officially proclaimed September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

According to the town's proclamation, approximately 10,000 children are living with cancer in Canada today, with about 1,500 new cases diagnosed each year. Advances in treatment have significantly improved survival rates, with approximately 82 per cent of children diagnosed surviving five years or more.

Despite these advances, childhood cancer remains a devastating disease for children and their families. The proclamation recognizes that families facing childhood cancer need medical, financial and emotional support, as well as understanding from relatives, neighbours, teachers, employers and the wider community.

The September proclamation also recognizes the work of scientists, healthcare professionals, parent organizations and volunteers who continue working to improve outcomes for children with cancer and provide support to their families.

Particular recognition was given to the volunteers of Candlelighters Simcoe Parents of Children with Cancer for the work they do supporting families throughout the region.

The gold ribbon has become an international symbol of childhood cancer awareness. Its presence outside the BWG Leisure Centre serves as a visible reminder of the children and families affected by cancer, while also representing hope, strength and community support.

As part of today's ceremony, local representatives and supporters gathered for the flag raising, including Stephanie St. Clair, Mayor James Leduc, a Candlelighters supporter, Tristian Daniels and Deputy Mayor Raj Sandhu.

The proclamation states:

“Every family touched by childhood cancer needs support of its relatives, neighbours, teachers and community.”

For families navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis, that support can make an important difference. Today's flag raising offered the community an opportunity to stand together, recognize the challenges these families face and show solidarity with young cancer patients and their loved ones.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month continues throughout September.

Those interested in learning more about Candlelighters Simcoe, including opportunities to support its work, volunteer or donate, can visit the organization directly.



This 📸Photo was taken by: Nicholas Molnar - Please do not take this photo without written permission. Photo's are Available to purchase without watermarks on them Thank you. Facebook, YouTube, Social Media, Ontario, Canada © 2026

07/31/2026

SHOVELS IN THE GROUND: A HISTORIC DAY FOR BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY

July 30, 2026, will be remembered as an important day in the history of Bradford West Gwillimbury.

Today, members of current and former Town Council, municipal staff, community representatives and special guests gathered at 125 Simcoe Road for the official Sod Turning Ceremony and Construction Contract Award Announcement for the future Bradford West Gwillimbury Civic Centre.

After more than 30 years of discussion, planning, ideas and a shared vision for a centralized municipal and community facility, shovels have officially gone into the ground.

What has existed for decades as a concept for the future is now beginning to become a reality.

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER

As Bradford West Gwillimbury has grown and changed over the years, so have the needs of the community.

The future BWG Civic Centre represents a major investment in the town's future and is intended to create a central destination where municipal services, community programming, recreation, culture and the arts can come together under one roof.

For residents, it will mean having more services available in one central location. For the municipality, it will provide a long-term facility designed to serve a growing community for generations to come.

But this project is about more than constructing a new building.

It represents another chapter in the continuing story of Bradford West Gwillimbury.

REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN BRADFORD

The Civic Centre is also expected to play an important role in the continued revitalization of Downtown Bradford.

With municipal employees, residents, visitors, community groups and others travelling to and from the Civic Centre each day, the project has the potential to bring additional activity into the downtown area.

More people downtown can mean more customers visiting local stores, eating at local restaurants, using nearby services and discovering businesses they may not otherwise have visited.

Over time, a major civic destination such as this can also help encourage additional investment and new businesses while strengthening the connection between municipal services and the historic downtown core.

A CIVIC CENTRE DESIGNED FOR A GROWING COMMUNITY

The future Civic Centre is planned as more than simply a municipal office building.

The vision is for a welcoming, highly accessible public facility featuring open spaces, gathering areas and facilities capable of supporting a variety of municipal and community activities.

It is intended to become a place where residents can access services, participate in programs, attend events and gather as a community.

Bradford West Gwillimbury has experienced tremendous growth over the past several decades, and projects such as this demonstrate just how much our community continues to evolve.

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT OFFICIALLY AWARDED

Another major announcement made today was the official awarding of the construction contract to Ledcor Group of Companies.

With the construction contract now awarded and today's ceremonial sod turning complete, Bradford West Gwillimbury has reached the point where decades of planning begin turning into something residents will be able to watch rise from the ground.

The empty site at 125 Simcoe Road will gradually change as construction progresses, eventually becoming one of the community's major civic landmarks.

RECOGNIZING THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED GET US HERE

A project of this size does not happen overnight.

Today's ceremony represents years of work involving current and previous Town Councils, municipal staff, planners, consultants, community representatives and many others who have contributed to discussions about what Bradford West Gwillimbury needs as it continues to grow.

Some of the people involved in the earliest conversations about a future civic centre may have never imagined they would one day see shovels officially enter the ground.

That is what makes today's milestone particularly significant.

Regardless of how the project changes and evolves over the years ahead, July 30, 2026, will remain the day the next chapter officially began.

DOCUMENTING HISTORY AS IT HAPPENS

As a photographer who has spent many years documenting Bradford and preserving photographs of our community's past, I believe it is equally important to document history while it is happening.

We often look at old photographs of Bradford and wonder what it must have been like to stand there as a familiar building was being constructed, a road was being changed, or a landmark was taking shape.

Today, we have the opportunity to document that transformation ourselves.

I will do my best to photograph and document the construction of the BWG Civic Centre throughout the project, from today's sod turning through the different stages of construction and, eventually, to the completed building.

Over the next couple of years, I hope to create a photographic timeline showing the transformation of 125 Simcoe Road from the site we see today into the future Bradford West Gwillimbury Civic Centre.

One day, these photographs will no longer simply be construction photographs.

They will be historical photographs.

Future generations may look back at images from July 30, 2026, the same way we look at photographs of Bradford from 50, 75 or 100 years ago.

They will see the people who were there, the site before construction, the first shovels entering the ground and the beginning of a building that may become part of everyday life in Bradford West Gwillimbury for generations.

Today, we didn't just turn sod.

We documented the beginning of another chapter in Bradford West Gwillimbury's history.

Congratulations to everyone, past and present, who helped bring this project to this milestone.

The shovels are in the ground.

Construction is beginning.

And history is being made right here in Bradford West Gwillimbury.

Stay tuned as I continue documenting the progress of the BWG Civic Centre and the changing face of our community in the months and years ahead.

July 30, 2026
125 Simcoe Road
Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ontario



https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1639656781499801

BWG Civic Centre: From Groundbreaking to Completion | 2026–20??

On July 30, 2026, history was made in Bradford West Gwillimbury as shovels officially went into the ground for the future BWG Civic Centre at 125 Simcoe Road.

This album will document the project from the official sod turning through the various stages of construction and, eventually, the completed Civic Centre. As the site changes over the coming years, I will continue adding photographs to create a visual timeline of this important chapter in our community's history.

Today's construction photographs will become tomorrow's historical photographs.

Photos by Nicholas Molnar Photography

07/12/2026

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE – SUSPECT IDENTIFICATION
South Simcoe Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect following an assault in Bradford.
On Sunday, July 5, 2026, police responded to Holland Street regarding an assault. The incident began after a male approached a woman and asked her for a cigarette. During the interaction, the woman was accosted, assaulted and knocked to the ground.
The suspect is known to frequent downtown Bradford and was last seen inside a downtown restaurant.
Suspect description:
Hispanic male
Approximately 5’8” to 6’ tall
Blue and red Boston Red Sox baseball cap with a white logo
White T-shirt
Black knee-length athletic shorts
White socks
Grey running shoes
Earring in his left ear
Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information that may assist investigators is asked to contact PC Melody Carroll at [email protected] or Crime Stoppers

03/10/2026