Keswick, Ontario
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| Keswick | |
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| Unincorporated community | |
Keswick Beach
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 Keswick
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| Coordinates: 44°14′37″N 79°28′33″W / 44.24361°N 79.47583°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Regional municipality | York |
| Town | Georgina |
| Area | |
| • Land | 20.03 km2 (7.73 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 25,527 |
| • Density | 1,274.5/km2 (3,301/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Forward sortation area | L4P |
| Area code(s) | 905 and 289 |
| NTS Map | 031D03 |
| GNBC Code | FEEFR |
Keswick is a community located in south central Canadian province of Ontario. Situated north of Toronto on Cook's Bay (part of Lake Simcoe), Keswick is part of the Town of Georgina.
In the Canada 2011 Census, the municipal population of Keswick was 25,527.
Contents
History[edit]
Keswick was originally known as Medina,[1] and was part of the Township of North Gwillimbury before becoming part of the Township of Georgina. The area was formerly considered part of "cottage country" for those who lived in Toronto up until the late 1980s, when major development further opened up access to Keswick, expanding its population.
Geography[edit]
Included in Keswick is the Keswick Marsh, part of the Holland Marsh.[2] Having been built mainly as a cottage community, Keswick is fairly long north to south as it hugs the shore of Lake Simcoe.
Demographics[edit]
Keswick's population was 25,527 in 2011.[3] Specific demographics for Keswick are not available, since it is counted as part of Georgina.[4]
Economy[edit]
The town boasts a number of shopping areas and attractions along the lakeshore and nearby agricultural areas. The majority of residents commute south to Newmarket or Toronto as there are no major employers in Keswick. The majority of businesses in Keswick are retail in nature, the largest of which is Wal-Mart which opened in 2010.
Arts and culture[edit]
The Stephen Leacock Theatre is a place to watch and perform in performances varying from musicals and plays to orchestras and band performances.
- Elm Hurst Beach Association (who, amongst other things, spearheaded a drive to clean up part of Lake Simcoe [5])
- Kinsmen Club of Keswick - a division of Kin Canada which was established in 1976.[6]
Music in the Streets is a local music festival celebrating talent from around Georgina. It is hosted by a local music store, Connors Music and is located in the Uptown Keswick Business district.[7]
Attractions[edit]
The Georgina Military Museum is located at the north end of Keswick. Whipper Watson park, covering almost 9 acres, was upgraded in 2010.[8] The town has become a popular destination in Ontario for sunny days spent on the beach, boating, ice fishing, and snowmobiling.
Sports[edit]
Keswick houses the Georgina Ice Palace where the Georgina Blaze hockey team, Georgina Girls Hockey Association and Georgina Skating Club are headquartered. The Georgina Ice Palace is a combination library/skating rink with a skate park outside. The two ice pads can seat almost 1,500 people between them.[9]
Infrastructure[edit]
In 2014, Highway 404 had been extended to meet Keswick at the south end, at Ravenshoe Road and Woodbine Ave.
Education[edit]
Public elementary and secondary education in Keswick is overseen by York Region's two school boards: the York Region District School Board (YRDSB), and the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB).
The YRDSB operates one secondary school in Keswick: Keswick High School, in addition to eight elementary schools: Deer Park P. S., Fairwood P. S., Jersey P. S., Keswick P. S., Lake Simcoe P. S., Lakeside P. S., R. L. Graham P. S., and W. J. Watson P. S.[10]
The YCDSB operates one secondary school in Keswick: Our Lady of the Lake Catholic College School, in addition to two elementary schools: Prince of Peace and St. Thomas Aquinas.[11]
Media[edit]
Local papers include the SNAP Georgina, the Georgina Post, and the Georgina Advocate, which is delivered to local residents once a week.
Famous residents[edit]
- Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame member Whipper Billy Watson was a lifelong resident, and he spearheaded the campaign to build the Georgina Cultural Centre in the 1980s, which also houses the Stephen Leacock Theatre.[12]
- Keswick is the birthplace (and for a while home) of former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Curtis Joseph.[13]
External links[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Keswick Historic Background Information". Town of Georgina.
- ^ "Holland Marsh official page".
- ^ "Statistics Canada". 2011 Census Profile - Keswick Ontario.
- ^ Georgina's census page
- ^ Keswick Beaches Get $215K for Cleanup
- ^ Kinsmen Club of Keswick
- ^ Music in the Streets
- ^ Town of Georgina's page on parks
- ^ York North's record on the Ice Palace
- ^ York Region District School Board website
- ^ York Catholic District School Board website
- ^ Stephen Leacock Theatre
- ^ Curtis Joseph's NHL home page
Coordinates: 44°14′37″N 79°28′33″W / 44.24361°N 79.47583°W
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