22 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday August 30, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com OAKVILLE OUTLOOK BUILDING PERMIT ACTIVITY April - June 2007 Your Oakville A vibrant and impressive community within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the Town of Oakville is a beautiful lakeside community with a strong heritage, preserved and celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Incorporated in 1857, this striking town has become one of the most coveted residential and business centres in Ontario, and for good reason: · Great neighbourhoods · Great places to do business · Quality schools · Proximity to Lake Ontario and recreational areas · Easy access via QEW, 403, 407 and GO Transit · Charming shopping districts This thriving municipality of about 166,000 residents provides all the advantages of a well-serviced urban centre, while also maintaining its small-town ambiance. Along historical downtown streets, Oakville offers a mix of converted 19th century buildings which accommodate over 400 fine shops, services and restaurants. Residents and visitors enjoy theatre, dance, music and comedy performances at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. They can visit the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate, located in the home of the Chisholms, Oakville's founding family and enjoy the beautiful gardens and grounds. Oakville is alive with natural wonders including over 140 kilometers of trails and natural creeks and 17 kilometers of waterfront. Explore over 1300 hectares of natural parklands including Coronation Park and Bronte Creek Provincial Park as well as the scenic and award-winning Gairloch Gardens. Among the many special attractions and activities for the whole family, Oakville's annual Waterfront Festival and Jazz Festival draw crowds from around the GTA. The community also provides plenty of recreational opportunities. Golfers can play at one of seven golf courses, including PGA-recognized Glen Abbey Golf Club, which has hosted the Canadian Open for many yearsincluding the 2008 Open that ran from July 21-27. Enjoy over 3,212 acres of park space, many with groomed hiking trails, or drop by a recreation centre which provides programs for all ages. For boaters, Oakville features two picturesque harbours with docks and slips for sail and powerboats. People who live here are proud of the quality of life this great community has to offer. In a recent survey of residents, 86 per cent said Oakville is a better place to live than anywhere else in the GTA. Ideally located in a beautiful natural setting, Oakville offers first-rate facilities and amenities. The outstanding range of lifestyle choices will continue to make this growing community one in which residents and businesses feel a sense of pride and connectio