Sundridge

Sundridge

Sundridge is a village in northern Ontario, approximately 75 km south of North Bay, on the shore of Lake Bernard. According to the 2001 Canadian census, the village has a population of 983, which represented a decline of 3.5% from 1019 in 1996. Combined with the neighbouring Townships of Strong and Joly, the population of the area in 2001 was 2642.

Sundridge (sometimes known in early documents as "Sunny Ridge") developed largely as a result of the extension of the Canadian National Railway (CNR) northward. The first settler in the area - usualy considered the Village's founder - was James Dunbar in 1876. The CNR route in the area was completed in 1885, and the Village of Sundridge was incorporated in 1889. Protestant Chuches (Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian) were established in the mid 1880's, and in 1897 the first municipal library was established. During World War I Sundridge was the location for basic trainng for the 162nd Canadian Battalion.

Sundridge today is a popular tourist destination in both winter and summer. Boating and snowmobiling are major activities that draw people from great distances. There is also easy access to golf courses and provincial parks. Cities within a reasonable driving distance include Toronto (approximately 300 km south) and Ottawa (approximately 500 km east.) The Village is approximately 85% Protestant, and is 96% Canadian-born, with few visible minority groups among its population.

The municipality is governed by a five member Council consisting of a mayor and four councillors, each elected at large every three years. Many local services (such as the library and arena) are run by Committees jointly established by Sundridge and its surrounding townships. The current Mayor of Sundridge (as of elections in November of 2003) is Elgin Schneider.