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With the holiday season upon us, the Municipality of Central Elgin is reminding residents of municipal service availability, holiday closures, and seasonal programs to help everyone enjoy the winter break.

“On behalf of Council and staff, I wish all Central Elgin residents a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season and my personal best wishes for a prosperous 2026,” says Mayor Andrew Sloan. 

Municipal Office Closure

The Municipal Office, located at 450 Sunset Drive, will close at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026.

For urgent matters requiring immediate attention during the closure, residents are asked to call 519-631-4860 and follow the prompts.

Garbage and Recycling Collection

Garbage and recycling collection will continue throughout the holiday season; however, there will be no collection on Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25) or New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1). Collection day will shift one day ahead of the regular schedule. Residents can find their collection schedule on the municipal website.

Central Elgin residents may also use the St. Thomas Community Recycling Centre (330 South Edgeware Road) to dispose of various waste materials. For accepted items and hours of operation, please call 519-631-1680 or visit their website.

Christmas Tree Disposal

Dispose of your natural Christmas tree in a sustainable way with Central Elgin. Natural trees will be collected for reuse during the first two weeks of January at the followingdrop-off locations:

All decorations, lights, wiring, tinsel, and plastic materials must be removed prior to drop-off. Trees longer than 10 feet must be cut in half.

Residents are encouraged to drop off trees during regular hours, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If visiting outside of these hours, trees may be placed in the designated areas:

  • Belmont Arena – southwest corner of the arena parking lot
  • Port Stanley Arena – southeast corner of the arena parking lot, beside the storage containers
  • White Station – in front of the Central Elgin rock
Public Skating in Belmont and Port Stanley

Stay active this holiday season and enjoy time with family and friends on the ice.

Belmont Arena and Community Centre

The Belmont Arena will be open for public skating on the following days and times:

  • Sunday, December 21, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Monday, December 22, 10 – 11:30 a.m. – Free Skate sponsored by Uplink Communications
  • Tuesday, December 23, 10 – 11:30 a.m. – Free Skate sponsored by the Belmont Swans
  • Sunday, December 28, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Monday, December 29, 10 – 11:30 a.m. – Free Skate sponsored by Uplink Communications
  • Tuesday, December 30, 10 – 11:30 a.m. – Free Skate sponsored by the Belmont Swans
  • Friday, January 2, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
  • Sunday, January 4, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Port Stanley Arena and Community Centre

The Port Stanley Arena will be open for public skating on the following days and times:

  • Sunday, December 21, 1 – 2:30 p.m. – Free Skate sponsored by the Kettle Creek Swans
  • Monday, December 22, 1:30 – 3 p.m. – Free Skate sponsored by Ryan Featherstone (Royal Lepage)
  • Tuesday, December 23, 1:30 – 3 p.m. – Free Skate sponsored by the Port Stanley Kiwanis Club
  • Sunday, December 28, 1- 2:30 p.m. – Free Skate sponsored by Dallas Posthumus Broker RE/MAX Centre City Realty Inc., Brokerage
  • Monday, December 29, 1:30 – 3 p.m. – Free Skate sponsored by Dallas Posthumus Broker RE/MAX Centre City Realty Inc., Brokerage
  • Tuesday, December 30, 1:30 – 3 p.m. – Free Skate sponsored by Dallas Posthumus Broker RE/MAX Centre City Realty Inc., Brokerage
  • Friday, January 2, 1:30 – 3 p.m. – Free Skate sponsored by Ryan Featherstone (Royal Lepage)
  • Sunday, January 4, 1 – 2:30 p.m. – Free Skate sponsored by Ryan Featherstone (Royal Lepage)

Skaters under 17 years of age are required to wear a protective helmet. Please visit our website to view all public skating rules and more information. 

Residents are reminded that stormwater ponds are not for recreational use.

Despite their appearance, they are unsafe for skating, walking or winter activities. Ice can be weakened by road salt, water movement and uneven freezing.

Overnight Street Parking Restriction

Residents are reminded that personal vehicle parking is restricted on municipal streets between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. This helps to keep streets clear for slow plowing. Central Elgin offers Residential Overnight Parking Permits to residents to be exempt from the overnight parking ban during the winter months (subject to specified terms and limitations).

Learn more about Overnight Parking Permits and apply online: Parking - Municipality of Central Elgin

Stay connected and informed this winter!

Don’t miss a thing in your community. Visit centralelgin.org for:

The Municipality of Central Elgin wishes all residents a safe and joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year!