Keswick, Ontario

For other uses, see Keswick (disambiguation).

Keswick is a community in the south central portion of the Canadian province of Ontario. Located north of Toronto on Cook's Bay (part of Lake Simcoe), Keswick is part of the Town of Georgina. Unlike Keswick in England, it is locally pronounced as "Kez-wick".

Keswick, Ontario on the shores of Lake Simcoe

History

Formerly known as Medina, Keswick is the largest urban community within the Town of Georgina making up nearly half of Georgina's population of 43,800 with its current population around 21,000. It was once a village within the Township of North Gwillimbury before North Gwillimbury reunited with Georgina in 1971.

The town was formerly considered part of "cottage country" for those who lived in Toronto up until the late 1980s, when major highway development further opened up access to Keswick, expanding its population and services, transforming Keswick into a bedroom community for the cities of Newmarket, Ontario and Toronto, to the south.

Controversy

Some publicised incidents of racism have recently occurred.^[1] In 2009, an Asian student attending Keswick High School was the victim of an alleged racially motivated assault. After he fought back, he was charged with assault and threatened with expulsion by his school.^[2] 400 students walked out of the high school to protest bullying and stand up against racism.

Recreation

The town has become a popular destination in Ontario for ice fishing, its season typically running from early January to late March.

Economy

The town boasts a number of shopping areas and attractions along the lakeshore and nearby agricultural areas.

Attractions

Keswick Beach

• Georgina Ice Palace - sports arena
• Public and private beaches
• Several Marinas and parks
• Keswick Marsh - part of the Holland Marsh
• Stephen Leacock Theatre
• Ice fishing on Lake Simcoe and the Canadian Ice Fishing Championship
• Red Barn Theatre

Famous residents

• Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame member Whipper Billy Watson was a life-long resident, and he spearheaded the campaign to build the Georgina Cultural Centre in the 1980s, which also houses the Stephen Leacock Theatre.

• Keswick is the birthplace (and for a while home) of Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Curtis Joseph.

Clubs and associations

• Elm Hurst Beach Association - special events; concerts, corn roasts and the annual "See Billy Bob Go" competitions.
• Kinsmen Club of Keswick

References

External links

• Town of Georgina - Keswick

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Coordinates: 44°15′00″N 79°28′01″W / 44.250°N 79.467°W / 44.250; -79.467