Open House 2024

Join us on Sunday, September 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 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 Recycling Facility, City Hall, Central Fire Station, Animal Care and Adoption Centre, City Archives and Visitor Information Centre. 

This is a free family friendly event. 

Robin Hood Bay Recycling Facility

Address: 340 East White Hills Road

Do you know what happens to your recycling after you place it at the curb? In this region, recycling is collected, sorted and bundled for new markets in the Materials Recovery (recycling) Facility at the Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility.

Come join this guided tour and find out what happens to your curbside recycling and meet the staff that sort it!

It is a large green and white building and easy to find. Parking, including accessible parking, is available onsite. 

City Hall

Address: 10 New Gower Street

Join us for this self-guided tour of City Hall, including Council Chambers and the civic art in the Great Hall. You will have the opportunity to sit in the mayoral chair, learn about the council meeting process and see the mace. 

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, council minutes; and get a behind the scenes peek at the archival stacks.

Limited parking is available onsite, including accessible parking.

Visitor Information Centre

Address: 348 Water Street

Stop by and visit our knowledgeable and friendly staff for tips on exploring our vibrant city in this self-guided tour. Our staff are happy to provide tourist information and trip planning assistance. 

Parking is available in the parking garage adjacent to City Hall or in the downtown area. Limited accessible parking is located in front of the building. Please note that parking is free on the weekends. 

Accessibility 

All venues have accessible parking and washrooms, are mobility device accessible, and the main entrances will be marked by signage.

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 709-576-4450 or email inclusion@stjohns.ca.