If you or the family are hoping to leap into the water for either a fun, casual swim or lap swimming, there’s something you need to know—our swimming options are the envy of the country. First of all, the Bay of Fundy—need we say more? Also, two beautiful rivers, tons of placid lakes at our doorstep, and a world-class indoor facility. Our summers may not be very long, but they're spectacular!

The beautiful beaches you can swim at in Saint John include:

Dominion Park — West Saint John (Lifeguards on duty in summer months 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.)

Lily Lake/Fisher Lakes — Rockwood Park, Saint John City Center  (Lifeguards on duty in summer months 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

Little River Reservoir — East Saint John  (Lifeguards on duty in summer months 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.)

Mispec Beach — East Saint John (unsupervised salt water beach)

Tucker Park — North  Saint John (unsupervised)

For indoor swimming, the Canada Games Aquatic Centre is located in the heart of Uptown Saint John and offers an Olympic-sized swimming pool, diving boards, water slides, and much more.

On behalf of the Chief City Engineer, Infrastructure Development administers municipal infrastructure and servicing requirements for sustainable development, and approves engineering drawings, municipal servicing plans, drainage systems, and utility installations.

Responsibilities of Infrastructure Development include:

• Advising on engineering standards necessary for reliable, effective, sustainable municipal infrastructure.
• Approval of the municipal engineering component of building permits, water and sewerage permits, street occupancy permits, and street excavation permits.
• Engineering input on development applications for municipal plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, section 39 conditions, subdivisions, and various use permits.
• Approval of new utility installations within the City of Saint John.
• Utility locates for municipal infrastructure as part of “Call Before You Dig”.
• Inspection services related to development and maintenance projects.
• Policy development, recommendations, and administration related to municipal infrastructure.
• Liaison with other levels of government, utility companies and others on infrastructure and engineering issues.

Before you begin work

• Permits and approvals must be obtained prior to working within a municipal right-of-way (City limits).
• Infrastructure locates must be obtained prior to any excavation.
• Inspections of municipal services are required prior to backfilling.
• All work within a municipal right-of-way must be in accordance with the City’s General Specifications and/or approved regulatory authorities.
• Directing stormwater to adjacent lands is prohibited.
• Consult the Excavation By-Law for more information.

The key to reducing the effect of an emergency on your life is to think about their potential impact and what you can do to reduce it—before an emergency occurs.

In Saint John, the following types of emergencies are possible or even likely. Click each to learn how you can prepare for that specific event.

• Flood
• Strong winds
• Power outage
• Severe storm
• Storm surge
• Wildfire
• Contagious disease
• Hazardous material

Be prepared

Prepare yourself and your family to be self-sufficient for at least three full days (72 hours). 

For your home

• copy of your emergency plan
• water and food
• manual can opener
• wind-up or battery-powered flashlight
• wind-up or battery-powered radio
• extra batteries
• first aid kit
• extra house and car keys
• cash – small bills and change
• special items such as formula, pet food, prescriptions, medication, etc.

For your vehicle

• blanket
• extra seasonal clothes and footwear
• first aid kit and seatbelt cutter
• water and snacks (e.g., energy bars)
• wind-up or battery-powered flashlight
• wind-up or battery-powered radio
• extra batteries
• list of contact numbers
• small shovel, scraper, and brush
• warning lights or road flares
• tow rope and jumper cables
• sand or salt
• whistle

Make a plan

Before starting your home emergency plan, you will need to think about:

• safe exits from your home and neighbourhood
• designated person to pick up your children should you be unavailable
• contact persons close by and out of town
• health information and special health needs
• place for your pet to stay
• location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve, and floor drain

Located in the heart of Uptown Saint John, the Canada Games Aquatic Centre offers the City's only full-service fitness experience in aquatics, fitness, and wellness therapy. This impressive and modern facility is home to an Olympic-size, 50m eight-lane pool and diving complex, water slides, two warm water leisure pools, a tots pool, hot tubs, sauna, and steam room, plus multiple fitness facilities with machines, free weights, cardio machines, pull-up rigging and more. 

The Centre offers public swimming, swimming lessons, swim camps, leadership courses, and aquatic sports. The fitness facility offers a variety of fitness class options, from HIIT (high-intensity interval training) to Zumba, and also personal training. 

Ihtoli-maqahamok - The Gathering Space [ee-doe-lee MAH-qwah-HA-muck]

For many decades, the space just beyond the intersection of King and Water streets in Uptown Saint John has been used for community gatherings - live music, festivals, and celebrations of all kinds. Now, it is entering a new era of access and expansion.

It is a name that pays homage to the ancestors of the land on which it rests, and to the spirit of the space and the way it has been and will be used: as a place of community and gathering.

As part of the City's waterfront development, Ihtoli-maqahamok – The Gathering Space, is being reinvigorated and reimagined, with the addition of a community skating rink, indoor/outdoor patios, an expanded stage for concerts, film screenings, and other special events. It also includes space for craft and food vendors, and easy access to enjoy the waterfront.

The design elements of Ihtoli-magahamok – The Gathering Space are rooted in three foundations of Saint John: the people, the water, and the rocks. It will be a significant landmark and a place of togetherness. A destination, and a meeting place for locals and visitors to come together.

The City of Saint John would like to thank all those involved in naming and bringing this space to life. The naming process was a multi-phased community effort, with help from Saint John residents, the City’s Civic Commemoration Committee, Common Council, and First Nations’ leaders and Elders from the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick (WNNB).

The Committee acknowledges that this space is important to the Loyalist heritage in the region, which will be recognized through interpretive panels in the area and the meaning of the new name.

Climate change poses a significant threat to our quality of life. In recent years, the impacts of climate change have become more and more apparent. As a coastal city, Saint John has been impacted by unpredictable weather, historic flooding, and rising sea levels.

Over the years, the City of Saint John has taken action to address our demands on energy infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support sustainability efforts through active transportation, waste reduction, transit, green infrastructure and care of our green spaces.

Working within City operations and the community, the City has become a recognized leader across the country for environmental leadership and community collaboration.

Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (M.E.E.P.)

The City of Saint John has been an early adopter of implementing energy efficiency measures in relation to municipal and water facilities. The City was one of the first, and one of the few, Canadian municipalities in Atlantic Canada to embark on creating a Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP).

The following are a list of environmental and economic benefits as of 2017:

• Reduced energy cost by over $2.3 Million
• Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions by over 9400 tons of CO2 or 24%
• Reduce Energy consumption by approximately 8.6 Million KWH and
  35,000 GJ of Natural Gas and oil/propane or 30 %
• Received over $22 Million in Grants & Loans
• Implemented over 100 environmental initiatives

M.E.E.P. has been recognized regionally and nationally as best practice.

Every year, the City of Saint John invests in new infrastructure and infrastructure improvements. Work can include such things as asphalt resurfacing, street reconstruction, water and sewer construction, safe drinking water projects, and more. For current, active contraction projects in your area, please search below.

Want to know what capital construction work is happening across the City this year?

Check out the interactive map on this page for all capital projects. The map identifies the type of project, its location, budget* and projected start and end dates

*Budgets listed may include multiple project sites


 

Update: The City of Saint John's 10-year Strategic Plan identifying a renewed vision for the City and a new set of long-term goals was approved by Council on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

The plan will serve as a management tool to improve the City’s performance and align with existing plans, including the Long-term Financial Plan, PlanSJ, and MoveSJ.

To help guide this process, the City of Saint John has established a Strategic Plan Steering Committee. The Committee includes seven members -- the Mayor, three members of Common Council, and three members of the public chosen through an application process through nominating committee.

While a Staff Working Group will be responsible for the project deliverables, the Steering Committee will lead engagement and guide the Staff Working Group in the strategic planning process. The Committee’s primary functions will be to:
-    Review output of Staff Working Group
-    Provide guidance and direction
-    Approve Guiding Principles
-    Recommend strategic planning policy to Council
-    Review public engagement
-    Recommend completed Plan to Council

Strategic Plan Steering Committee Members                                       

For further information about the project, please contact cityclerk@saintjohn.ca