A quarter-century as a ‘city’ to be celebrated in Pickering in 2025

Pickering celebrated its bicentennial in 2011, marking 200 years since the first Pickering Township meeting Pickering on March 4, 1811.

A little less than 189 years later Pickering celebrated another milestone: incorporation as a ‘city,’ with the occasion part of global celebrations as the world welcomed the new millennium.

With Isaac Brock preparing to defend the nation-to-be from American invaders and Canada’s west coast still not colonized, the more recent landmark in Pickering’s history may go unnoticed by some but 2025 marks a quarter-century since the town became a full-fledged city.

Pickering Township centennial medal, 1911

And Pickering wants to party. A low-key, easy-on-the-budget kind of party, mind you, but Pickering still plans on honouring the occasion.

“While arguably not as significant or historic as Pickering’s bicentennial, it will be a noteworthy milestone, celebrating the growth and evolution that have shaped the vibrant, progressive community we know today,” city staff said in a report being delivered to council Monday. “The goal is to honour the city’s history, reflect on its achievements, and strengthen connections among residents, reinforcing Pickering’s identity and unity as we look forward to the future.

While the 25th anniversary is a “notable milestone,” efforts have been made to minimize the budget impact, with no standalone anniversary events or programming planned. Staff will instead be integrating 25th anniversary messaging and branding into existing events and programs, with one-time costs limited to $10,000 to fund anniversary banners at city hall and $3,500 to enhance the celebrations at the annual Mayor’s Levee.

Former mayors, councillors and CAOs will be invited to join Mayor Kevin Ashe and members of council at the levee to “recognize, reminisce, and celebrate” the past quarter-century.

The new temporary banners will grace the exteriors of both the Pickering City Hall Clock Tower and the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex.

Three Pickering-based artists have been short-listed for the project – their submissions were unveiled Saturday at the Winter Wonderland event at Millennium Square – with implementation expected in the spring.

Staff will also plant a total of 25 silver maple trees (eight in each ward and one in Esplanade Park) funded by third party reserve funds.

The city plans to use existing resources such as the website, social media channels, digital LED signs and email to promote the 25th anniversary on a day-to-day basis and introduce 25th anniversary branded digital letterhead for electronic correspondence.

The pedestrian bridge linking Pickering City Centre with the Pickering GO station, an icon of engineering recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, will be featured on promotional materials and used in official communications, staff email signatures, and electronic templates.

Pickering officially became a ‘city’ on January 1, 2000, which led to a year-round celebration that also welcomed the new millennium. The newly branded city even officially trademarked the name ‘Millennium City’ in Canada.

Pickering celebrates 25 years as a ‘citry’ on January 1