Kawartha Lakes begins updates to Cultural Master Plan

Work on the City of Kawartha Lakes’ Cultural Master Plan has started, with an update expected in summer 2026.

A cultural master plan helps guide how the municipality grows and invests in culture over time. It supports local artists and organizations, helps protect community identity, and ensures funding is used in ways that benefit residents. It also helps make Kawartha Lakes a more vibrant place to live, work, and visit.

The current Cultural Master Plan 2020 to 2030 was adopted in February 2020. It sets a long-term vision and priorities to support arts, culture, and heritage in the community. The plan also aims to improve quality of life and help shape places that reflect the unique identity of Kawartha Lakes.

Since 2020, the community has faced many changes. These include the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic uncertainty, fewer volunteers, and less funding from other levels of government.

At the same time, the municipality has made strong investments in culture. These include hiring cultural staff, expanding programs, increasing funding for local groups, and studying the idea of a new cultural centre.

Now, Kawartha Lakes is taking the next step.

Over the coming weeks, staff and consultants from TCI Management Consulting and The Planning Partnership, will review the current plan. This includes looking at seven key priorities, along with more than 60 actions and recommendations. The new Cultural Master Plan 2026 to 2036 will build on this work and align with the City’s Strategic Plan and Economic Development Strategy.

Community input will be a key part of the process. Residents, artists, organizations, and visitors will all have opportunities to share their ideas.

Kawartha Lakes is asking for feedback on what is working well, what is missing, and what is needed for the future. A community engagement session will take place on April 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the Victoria PArk Armoury in Lindsay.

Everyone is welcome to attend and share their ideas.

More engagement opportunities will be coming. Residents are encouraged to check the project’s Jump In Kawartha Lakes webpage for updates.

“It’s incredible to think that we’re already past the halfway point of our current Cultural Master Plan,” said Donna Goodwin, economic development officer – culture. “This is a great time to reflect on what we’ve achieved and where we want to go next.”