Gravenhurst Mayor Heidi Lorenz has officially announced her intentions to seek re-election this October.
Lorenz was first elected to Gravenhurst council in 2010 and served three terms as a councillor before being elected Mayor in 2022.
“There’s just so many exciting things to come, and I think that they require some momentum and that my experience from my past 10 years and more will help these things along and see them their fruition,” she said.
Lorenz moved to Gravenhurst in 1998 and has lived in the downtown core ever since. She said that over nearly 30 years, she has witnessed the “ebbs and flows of the community” firsthand.
According to Lorenz, the town has seen strong investment in housing this term, including new purpose-built rental developments and the addition of 12 affordable housing units, six of which are transitional units for those most in need.
She said that transportation has also improved, with the District’s Demand-Responsive Transit program expanding due to its success to now serve the Severn Bridge and areas south of Highway 118.
“It’s been very, very rewarding. We’ve seen a lot of exciting things happen and more to come. As you probably know, there’s a number of things that are occurring currently that we are really excited to see finished,” she said.
Lorenz said that through strategic partnerships created during her tenure, the town was able to launch new projects that support the community and local businesses while encouraging investment-focused economic development.
“After 15 years of vacancy, the second floor of the Cottage Country Family Health Team will soon become home to the new Gravenhurst Health Hub. It has been an honour to work alongside the Gravenhurst Rotary Club to bring this vision to life,” she said.
She said that while challenges remain, there is much to be proud of and important work still ahead. She said that addressing that work requires experience, compassion, optimism, and determination.
“Let’s keep the momentum going, together,” said Lorenz.
As of May 8, Lorenz was the only Mayoral candidate registered in Gravenhurst.
Candidates have until Friday, August 21, to file their nomination.
The municipal election is Oct. 26.
