The man who gave us 'Carefree Highway' has a street of his own
Orillia has honoured its native son.
Orillia council authorized a bylaw to rename Centennial Drive Lightfoot Drive at its meeting on Monday.
"Gordon Lightfoot was known as Orillia's favourite son, but his influence extends far beyond the boundaries of our city," said Mayor Don McIsaac.
"He is a cultural icon whose music has touched the hearts and souls of millions around the globe. Renaming Centennial Drive to Lightfoot Drive is a fitting tribute to honour his enduring legacy and to celebrate his profound connection to our community."
Raised in Orillia, Gordon Lightfoot was born in 1938 and died in May 2023, leaving behind a legacy on the world stage with timeless ballads that united audiences across generations.
The former Centennial Drive runs along Orillia's Lake Couchiching waterfront, connecting the city to landmarks such as Couchiching Beach Park, the Port of Orillia, the Terry Fox Circle, and the Rotary Aqua Theatre.
Over the past few years, Orillia has invested significantly to update the infrastructure in the area and the road recently underwent major reconstruction and re-alignment.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
"As Centennial Drive transforms into Lightfoot Drive, it serves as more than just a road; it's a direct link between Orillia's picturesque waterfront and bustling downtown, bringing people together, much like Lightfoot's music brought together individuals from all walks of life who found inspiration in his songs," said Mayor Don McIsaac.
"With this renaming, we honour not just a local icon but a global ambassador of Orillia whose melodies continue to resonate with audiences worldwide," he said.
The renaming of Centennial Drive to Lightfoot Drive is taking immediate effect. Over the next few weeks, the city will be making changes to official maps and listings and updating road signage.
To commemorate this new tribute to Gordon Lightfoot further, Orillia will also be installing banners depicting Lightfoot and some of his greatest hits along the entirety of Lightfoot Drive later this spring.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.