Belleville, Ontario

Belleville
City (single-tier)
City of Belleville
Belleville skyline
Belleville
Coordinates: 44°10′N 77°23′W
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
County	Bay of Quinte
Settled	1789
Named	1816
Incorporated	1836 (as police village)
Incorporated as city	1878
Government
• Mayor	Taso Christopher
• Federal riding	Bay of Quinte
• Prov. riding	Prince Edward—Hastings
Area
• Land	247.21 km2 (95.45 sq mi)
• Metro	741.36 km2 (286.24 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• City (single-tier)	49,454
• Density	200.0/km2 (518/sq mi)
• Metro	92,540
• Metro density	124.8/km2 (323/sq mi)
Time zone	EST (UTC−5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC−4)
Postal Code FSA	K8N, K8P, K8R
Area code(s)	613, 343
Website	www.city.belleville.on.ca

Belleville (Canada 2011 Census population 49,454; census agglomeration population 92,540) is a city located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in Southern (Southeastern) Ontario, Canada, along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. It is the seat of Hastings County, but politically independent of it, and is the centre of the Bay of Quinte Region.

History

Front Street, 1900

Belleville Armoury is a recognized Federal Heritage building 1992 on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings

Flowerbed beside Highway 401 near Belleville

Originally the site of an Anishinaabe (Mississaugus) village in the 18th century known as Asukhknosk, the future location of the city was settled by United Empire Loyalists, after which it became known as Meyer's Creek after prominent settler and industrialist John Walden Meyers. It was renamed Belleville in honour of Lady Arabella Gore in 1816, after a visit to the settlement by Sir Francis Gore and his wife.

Belleville became an important railway junction with the completion of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1855. In 1858 the iron bridge over the Moira River at Bridge Street became the first iron bridge in Hastings County. Belleville's beautiful High Victorian Gothic city hall was built in 1872 to house the public market and administrative offices. The City Hall tower stands some 185 feet (56 m) above street level.

The Dixie Lee Fried Chicken chain (1964) and the Journey's End Corporation economy limited service hotel chain (1978) were both founded in the city.

In 1998, the city was amalgamated with the surrounding Township of Thurlow to form an expanded City of Belleville as part of Ontario-wide municipal restructuring. The city also annexed portions of Quinte West to the west.

Geography and climate

Belleville is located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in southeastern Ontario between the cities of Quinte West to the west and Napanee to the east. These cities are connected by both Ontario's Highway 2 and the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway (Highway 401); The city is also served by Highway 37, running north-south from Belleville towards Tweed to the east of the Moira River; and Highway 62 (once Highway 14 south of 401), northwards towards Madoc, and southward to Prince Edward County over the Bay Bridge.

Belleville is located in a transitional zone which may be considered part of the Central Ontario or Eastern Ontario regions by different sources. Officially, Belleville is properly considered part of the Central Ontario region as it is located west of the St. Lawrence River's starting point, but the city is popularly considered part of Eastern Ontario as it shares the eastern region's area code 613 and K postal code.

Major Routes in Belleville

Highway 62/North Front Street

Highway 62 runs from the northern city limit with the Township of Centre Hastings to the southern boundary with the Municipality of Prince Edward County (where the highway crosses the Norris Whitney Bridge over the Bay of Quinte). From Highway 401 to just south of the Canadian National Railways overpass, 62 follows North Front Street. There, the main route becomes Pinnacle Street, following it across the Sagonaska Bridge and through downtown. 62 then turns right at Dundas Street (old Highway 2), and continues to Bay Bridge Drive, where the highway heads south into 'the County'.

Highway 37/Cannifton Road Parkway

Highway 37 runs from the northern city limit with Tweed south to the 401, where it is co-designated as Cannifton Road Parkway until it meets Station Street. There, it follows Station Street west to its terminus at Pinnacle Street downtown.

Highway 2/Dundas Street

Running across southern Belleville, Dundas Street is a four-lane highway from where it enters Belleville's west end at Wallbridge-Loyalist Road to Point Anne Road, approximately 11 km east. Highway 2 originally crossed the Moira River at the Lower Bridge, co-designated with Bridge Street, but when Dundas Street finally crossed the Moira in the early 1970s, the old route was forgotten, although it is still signed as Highway 2.

Of interest is the eastern section of Dundas Street where, as Highway 2, it was rebuilt in the late 1930s as a "dual highway" (four lanes), to the same standards as the concurrent Queen Elizabeth Way. Part of a period of freeway design experimentation in Ontario, it was never upgraded in the same manner as the QEW, as Highway 2 was supplanted by the new 401 as the major transportation corridor along Lake Ontario. It remains today as an example of early freeway design.

Bell Boulevard/Adam Street

Bell in 2010 was extended east to the Moira River, where the new Veterans Memorial Bridge connects it to Adam Street, with the combined route now connecting Wallbridge-Loyalist Road on the western boundary of Belleville, running through the North-west Industrial Park and over the Moira as it passes through Riverside Park, ultimately ending at University Avenue, in the city's North-East Industrial Park. From Sidney Street east to North Park Street, Bell is home to a variety of commercial properties, including Reid's Dairy and the Quinte Mall, as well as a number of restaurants, hotels and motels.

College Street/Airport Parkway

College Street runs from the residential area of West Park Village, across the city to the North-East Industrial Park. Branching off of College and running east to Shannonville Road is Airport Parkway, formerly known as the Byron Street Extension.

Climate

Belleville's climate has four distinctive seasons. The City's traditional continental climate (hot summers, cold winters) is moderated by its location near Lake Ontario. The lakes moderates temperature extremes, cooling hot summer days and warming cold days during the fall and winter. As such, winter snowfall is somewhat limited due to the increased frequency of precipitation falling as rain during the winter months. In the summer months, severe thunderstorm activity is usually limited because of the non-favourable lake breeze conditions. The city, being located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, is also in an unfavourable location for lake effect snow. One notable exception however, was in December 2010 when 14 cm of snow occurred in one day as a result of a snow band from Lake Ontario. The summer months do not typically experience exceedingly hot temperatures, however humidity levels can make daytime highs uncomfortable. Summer rainfall is usually modest, and delivered by passing thunderstorms or warm fronts. Remnants of tropical systems do pass through on occasion towards summer's end, resulting in one or two days of consistently wet weather. The winter season is highly variable, with the record setting winter of 2007-08 experiencing near 270 cm of snow. Four years later, the winter of 2011-12 experienced only 60 cm of snow. Winter temperatures are also highly variable, even in one season. Air masses change frequently, and while a few days may see above freezing temperatures at a time in January, the next week may bring cold and snowfall. Autumn is usually mild, with an increase in precipitation starting in late September as conditions for fall storms develop. Recent years have had a tendency to bring almost snow free Novembers to the region.

• Mean Daily Temperature - Annually = 7.5 °C (45.5 °F)
• Mean Maximum Highest Temperature - Summer = 26.5 °C (79.7 °F)
• Mean Minimum Lowest Temperature - Winter = −11.9 °C (10.6 °F)
• Growing Degree-Days = 2236
• Growing Season = 190–200 days
• Mean Annual Precipitation = 85 cm (33.5 in)
• Mean Annual Snow Fall = 162 cm (59.5 in)
• Average Number of Days with Precipitation = 141 days
• Average Number of Days with Snowfall = 42 days
• Average Number of Days with max. temperature > 0 °C (32 °F) = 304 days

Climate data for Belleville (1981−2010)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	13.9 (57)	13.0 (55.4)	23.0 (73.4)	29.0 (84.2)	35.0 (95)	35.6 (96.1)	40.0 (104)	36.1 (97)	35.0 (95)	28.3 (82.9)	22.2 (72)	16.5 (61.7)	40.0 (104)
Average high °C (°F)	−2.2 (28)	−0.5 (31.1)	4.1 (39.4)	11.7 (53.1)	18.7 (65.7)	23.9 (75)	26.8 (80.2)	25.7 (78.3)	21.0 (69.8)	13.7 (56.7)	7.2 (45)	1.2 (34.2)	12.6 (54.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−6.7 (19.9)	−5.1 (22.8)	−0.4 (31.3)	7.0 (44.6)	13.7 (56.7)	19.0 (66.2)	21.8 (71.2)	20.8 (69.4)	16.3 (61.3)	9.5 (49.1)	3.6 (38.5)	−2.6 (27.3)	8.1 (46.6)
Average low °C (°F)	−11.1 (12)	−9.7 (14.5)	−5 (23)	2.3 (36.1)	8.7 (47.7)	14.0 (57.2)	16.9 (62.4)	15.9 (60.6)	11.7 (53.1)	5.3 (41.5)	0.1 (32.2)	−6.3 (20.7)	3.6 (38.5)
Record low °C (°F)	−37.8 (−36)	−39.4 (−38.9)	−29.4 (−20.9)	−17.2 (1)	−7.2 (19)	0.0 (32)	6.1 (43)	3.3 (37.9)	−1.7 (28.9)	−10 (14)	−22.2 (−8)	−34.4 (−29.9)	−39.4 (−38.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	67.3 (2.65)	58.1 (2.287)	62.4 (2.457)	75.8 (2.984)	81.3 (3.201)	74.5 (2.933)	65.1 (2.563)	75.5 (2.972)	91.9 (3.618)	85.2 (3.354)	95.7 (3.768)	79.1 (3.114)	911.6 (35.89)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	30.6 (1.205)	29.4 (1.157)	40.3 (1.587)	69.2 (2.724)	81.2 (3.197)	74.5 (2.933)	65.1 (2.563)	75.5 (2.972)	91.9 (3.618)	84.9 (3.343)	84.7 (3.335)	44.6 (1.756)	771.9 (30.39)
Average snowfall cm (inches)	36.8 (14.49)	28.6 (11.26)	22.1 (8.7)	6.5 (2.56)	0.0 (0)	0.0 (0)	0.0 (0)	0.0 (0)	0.0 (0)	0.2 (0.08)	11.0 (4.33)	34.5 (13.58)	139.7 (55)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)	15.4	11.8	12.0	12.2	12.4	11.6	9.7	10.5	11.3	13.5	14.0	14.2	148.6
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)	5.3	4.9	7.4	11.0	12.3	11.6	9.7	10.5	11.3	13.4	11.4	7.5	116.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)	11.7	8.5	6.4	2.1	0.04	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.12	3.7	8.8	41.2
Source: Environment Canada

Government

Belleville City Council

Belleville City Hall

Local government is represented by Belleville City Council with a mayor and 8 councillors. There are two city wards with Ward 1 (Belleville) represented by 6 councillors and Ward 2 (Thurlow) by 2 councillors. Ward 1 consists of the historic city and Ward 2 was created in 1998 with the amalgamation of Township of Thurlow.

City Council sits at Belleville City Hall.

Economy

Procter & Gamble, Kellogg's, Bardon Supplies Limited, Redpath, Parmalat, Sigma Stretch, Magna, Amer Sports Canada, Sears and Avaya (formerly Nortel) are corporations operating in Belleville. Many other manufacturing sector companies operate within the City of Belleville, including Bioniche Life Sciences, Sprague Foods, Airborne Systems Canada Ltd, Berry Plastics Canada, Sigma Stetch Film Canada, CpK Interior Products, Halla Climate Control Canada, Reid's Dairy, Parmalat Canada - Black Diamond Cheese Division, Kelloggs Canada and Norampac Inc, just to name a few.

Belleville is home to 2 shopping malls: The Bay View Mall in east-end Belleville and the Quinte Mall along Highway 401 in North Belleville.

Transportation

The City of Belleville is located within a 15 minute drive of 8 Wing / Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton. 8 Wing CFB Trenton is Canada’s largest Canadian Forces Air Base and is available for commercial flights for passenger and cargo uses, by prior arrangement with DND. There is a Customs and Immigration office located on site for international flights. Airport facilities include snow removal, crash response, fire fighting and rescue services, 24-hour-a-day air traffic control tower, fully equipped airfield navigational and visual approach and one paved runway which is 10,000 feet and can accommodate 747 and C5A classes.

Belleville is serviced by the 401 highway system, and bus service to and from Toronto International Airport is provided three times daily each way by Megabus. Deseronto Transit provides public transportation services to destinations including Deseronto, Napanee, and Prince Edward County.

Belleville is located on the Toronto-Montreal main rail lines for both CN and CP; both companies provide freight access. VIA Rail also operates five daily passenger services each way along the 401 rail corridor.

Quinte Economic Development Commission

The Quinte Economic Development Commission is the regional economic development office representing the City of Belleville, the City of Quinte West and the Municipality of Brighton. The Quinte EDC is mandated with the responsibility for regional marketing for its member municipalities as well as supporting existing industries through regional strategies.

Demographics

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1841	2,040	—
1851	4,593	+125.1%
1871	7,305	+59.0%
1881	9,516	+30.3%
1891	9,916	+4.2%
1901	9,117	−8.1%
1911	9,876	+8.3%
1921	12,206	+23.6%
1931	13,790	+13.0%
1941	15,498	+12.4%
1951	19,519	+25.9%
1961	30,655	+57.1%
1971	35,128	+14.6%
1981	34,881	−0.7%
1991	37,243	+6.8%
1996	37,083	−0.4%
2001	45,986	+24.0%
2006	48,821	+6.2%
2011	49,454	+1.3%
The 1991 and 1996 populations are 44,858 and 45,069 respectively when adjusted to the 2001 boundaries. The 2001 population is 46,029 when adjusted to the 2006 boundaries.

According to the 2011 Canadian Census, the population of Belleville is 49,454, a 1.3% increase from 2006. The population density is 200.0 people per square km. The median age is 43.5 years old, a bit higher than the national median at 40.6 years old. There are 22,153 private dwellings with an occupancy rate of 95.1%. According to the 2011 National Household Survey, the median value of a dwelling in Belleville is $200,473 which is a fair bit lower than the national average at $280,552. The median household income (after-taxes) in Belleville is $48,552, not much lower than the national average at $54,089.

Belleville is mostly made up of European descents. The racial make up of Belleville is:

• 90.7% White
• 4.4% Aboriginal; 2.9% First Nations, 1.1% Metis
• 1.3% South Asian
• 1.0% East Asian; 0.5% Chinese, 0.3% Korean, 0.2% Japanese
• 0.9% Black
• 0.6% Southeast Asian; 0.2% Filipino
• 0.4% Latin American
• 0.2% West Asian
• 0.2% Arab
• 0.1% Multiracial; 1.2% including Metis
• 0.2% Other

Most of Belleville is either a Christian (67.1%), or affiliates with no religion (30.3%). The remaining 2.6% affiliate with another religion.

Bridge Street United Church.

The city of Belleville, with the amalgamation of the Township of Thurlow, and the annexation of a portion of the City of Quinte West, had a population of 48,821 people in the Canada 2006 Census. Belleville is the largest urban centre in a much larger market area generally known as the Quinte Region. The city's census agglomeration had a population of 91,518 in the 2006 census.

Population trend:

• Population in 2011: 49,454
• Population in 2006: 48,821
• Population in 2001: 45,986 (or 46,029 when adjusted to 2006 boundaries)
  • Belleville (former city): 37,210
  • Thurlow (former township): 7,680
• Population in 1996:
  • Belleville (city): 37,083
  • Thurlow (township): 7,986
• Population in 1991:
  • Belleville (city): 37,243
  • Thurlow (township): 7,615

Mother tongue:

• English as first language: 90.8%
• French as first language: 1.5%
• English and French as first language: 0.2%
• Other as first language: 7.5%

Education

Belleville offers a number of options at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels.

Post-secondary

Academy of Learning College is a local college.

Loyalist College is a local public college.

Public schools

The Public school system is served by the Hastings & Prince Edward District School Board. The Catholic School system is served by the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.

Public Secondary schools
Centennial Secondary School
Moira Secondary School
Quinte Secondary School
Bayside Secondary School (Quinte West)

Public Elementary schools
Susanna Moodie Elementary School
Parkdale Public Elementary School
Queen Elizabeth Elementary School
Prince of Wales Elementary School
Harry J. Clarke Elementary School (French immersion)
Queen Victoria Elementary School
Chase Maracle Elementary School
Sir John A Macdonald School
Hillcrest Elementary School
Prince Charles Elementary School
Foxboro Public School
Bayside Elementary School (French immersion)
Harmony Public School

Separate schools

Following are Belleville area schools managed by the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.

Separate board Secondary schools
Nicholson Catholic College
St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School

Separate board Elementary schools
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School
St Michael's Catholic School (French immersion)
St Joseph's Catholic School
Georges Vanier Catholic School
Holy Rosary Catholic School

Provincial schools

Provincial Demonstration schools
Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf
Sagonaska School

Private schools

Private schools
Academy of Learning College
Quinte Ballet School of Canada
Quinte Christian High School
Belleville Christian School
Belleville Montessori School
Albert College

Sports teams

Belleville was home to the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League; they played at the Yardmen Arena, located on Cannifton Road. Belleville was also previously home to two senior hockey teams, the Belleville Macs and the Belleville McFarlands. The McFarlands won the Allan Cup in 1958, and the World Championship in 1959. Belleville is also home the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club, which challenged for the America's Cup in 1881. Belleville also has some other teams. Belleville is also home to the Belleville Bearcats and the Belleville Jr. Bulls.

Media

Print

• Belleville Intelligencer (daily)

Radio

Frequency	Call sign	Branding	Format	Owner	Notes
AM 800	CJBQ	CJBQ 800	Full service	Quinte Broadcasting
FM 91.3	CJLX-FM	91X	Campus radio	Loyalist College
FM 94.3	CJBC-1-FM	Ici Radio-Canada Première	Talk radio, public radio	Canadian Broadcasting Corporation	Rebroadcaster of CJBC (Toronto)
FM 95.5	CJOJ-FM	95.5 Hits FM	Adult hits	Starboard Communications
FM 97.1	CIGL-FM	Mix 97	Hot adult contemporary	Quinte Broadcasting
FM 100.1	CHCQ-FM	Cool 100.1	Country music	Starboard Communications
FM 102.3	CKJJ-FM	UCB Radio	Christian radio	United Christian Broadcasters Canada
FM 107.1	CJTN-FM	Rock 107	Classic rock	Quinte Broadcasting

Television

OTA virtual channel (PSIP)	OTA actual channel	Call sign	Network	Notes
26.1	26 (UHF)	CICO-DT-53	TVOntario	Rebroadcaster of CICA-DT (Toronto)

Internet

• Quinte Frontpage
• QNet News

Theatre

• Pinnacle Playhouse
• The Empire Theatre
• Moonpath Productions

Annual Events

January

• Civic Levee

February

• Downtown Docfest

June

• Berrylicious

July

• Belleville's Canada D'Eh
• Waterfront and Ethnic Festival

August

• Quinte Ribfest

September

• Quinte Fall Fair and Exhibition
• Porchfest Belleville

November

• Belleville Festival of Trees
• Belleville Nighttime Santa Claus Parade
• Christmas at the Pier

December

• Christmas at the Pier

Sister cities

The City of Belleville has three Sister City arrangements with communities outside of Canada which include:

• Lahr, Germany - Established in 1971
• Gunpo, South Korea - Established in 1996
• Zhucheng, People's Republic of China - Established in 1996

Notable people

• Lee Aaron, hard rock and jazz singer. Best know for "Metal Queen"
• Marianne Ackerman, playwright, novelist, and journalist
• Drew Bannister, professional ice hockey defenceman
• Dennis Bock, novelist and short story writer
• Michael Botterill, professional Canadian football linebacker
• Sir MacKenzie Bowell, Canada's fifth Prime Minister
• Wilfred Leigh Brintnell, a pioneering Canadian aviator
• James Brown, politician
• Stevie Cameron, award-winning investigative journalist and best-selling author
• Matt Cooke, NHL hockey player
• Brander Craighead, football player
• Bob Crawford, retired NHL hockey player
• Lou Crawford, former OHL and AHL head coach
• Marc Crawford, NHL head coach
• Bob Dillabough, retired NHL player with the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and the Oakland Seals
• Herbert Henry Dow, Dow Chemical, Born February 26, 1866
• Rick Green, retired NHLer
• Ellie Anne Harvie, actress
• Bobby Hull, Hockey Hall of Fame member
• Brett Hull, son of Bobby, Hockey Hall of Fame member (inducted 2009)
• Dennis Hull, Bobby's younger brother, member of 1972 Team Canada
• Aislinn Hunter, poet and fiction writer
• Frances Itani, fiction writer, poet and essayist
• Avril Lavigne, Canadian singer/songwriter, born in Belleville, moved to Napanee at age five
• James Frederick Lister, lawyer
• Norm Maracle, hockey goaltender
• James Marker, inventor of Cheezies
• Rick Meagher, retired NHL player
• Rick Mofina, author of crime fiction and thriller novels
• Susanna Moodie 1803-1885 Author, moved to Belleville with her husband in 1840 after several years spent "roughing it in the bush" near Lakefield Ont. Sister to Col. Samuel Strickland & Author Catherine Parr Traill
• Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007 spent her teenage years in Belleville, studying at Centennial Secondary School and at Quinte Ballet School of Canada
• Farley Mowat, author, born in Belleville
• William Barton Northrup, lawyer and politician
• Brian Orser, figure skater and coach
• Shawn O'Sullivan, 1984 Olympic silver medalist boxer
• Pete Quaife, bassist for The Kinks in the 1960s, lived in Quinte Region from 1980 to 2005
• Peter Quinney, Canadian football player, Toronto Argonauts
• Andrew Raycroft, NHL goaltender
• Brad Richardson, NHL forward
• Alexander Milton Ross, abolitionist and agent for the Underground Railroad
• Johnny Rutherford, former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Nancy Anne Sakovich, actress and former model
• Mike Schad, National Football League offensive lineman; attended Moira Secondary School
• Martin Seemungal, Foreign Correspondent CBC, ABC, CTV, PBS Newshour
• Andrew Shaw, NHL player, currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks
• Derek Smith, NHL forward
• Matt Stajan, NHL forward resided in Belleville from 2000-2004
• Manly E. MacDonald, Semi-impressionistic painter
• Alex Stieda, former professional road bicycle racer
• Chris Valentine, former ice hockey player and coach
• Thomas Campbell Wallbridge, lawyer and politician
• John Weldon, animated movies director, Oscar Award winner (1979)
• Ed Westfall, retired NHL player
• The Wilkinsons, country music group
• Ty Wishart, professional ice hockey player
• Jerry Yanover, political advisor

See also

• Belleville Cemetery
• Belleville Transit
• Foxboro

External links

• City of Belleville
• Belleville is part of The Great Waterway tourism region from the Seaway Valley to Lake Ontario
• Sagonaska Demonstration School for Students with Learning Disabilities