Anchored in Heritage, Looking Ahead
Ajax’s connection to its history is visible throughout the community. Veterans’ Point Gardens, with its naval-inspired design, commemorates the town’s wartime roots while serving as a gathering space for events and remembrance ceremonies. The Greenwood Conservation Area and Ajax Waterfront Trail embody the town’s commitment to nature, recreation, and quality of life. “They’re not just recreational assets, they’re economic drivers. They enhance quality of life, attract tourism, and support our branding as a nature-forward, family-friendly town,” notes Collier.
Heritage in Ajax is not treated as something separate from progress. “We treat heritage as a strategic asset. By integrating historical storytelling into our branding and urban design, we preserve identity while embracing innovation,” Collier says. Whether through adaptive reuse of historic buildings or weaving heritage themes into public art and wayfinding, Ajax sees its past as an anchor for its future.
Celebrating 70 Years
The anniversary year has been marked with events designed to unite residents and showcase Ajax to visitors. The grand opening of the Ajax Fairgrounds, highlighted by the town’s first-ever drone show, symbolized that blend of tradition and innovation. “Hundreds of synchronized drones lit up the night sky, choreographed to music and forming dazzling scenes that depicted key moments from Ajax’s past,” recalls Collier. Other highlights included the Tour d’Ajax cycling route, Silver Screen Sundays, and free community swims and skates, all designed to stimulate local commerce and civic pride.
For Collier, these events are not only celebrations but also investments in the town’s future identity. “Each of these events has been thoughtfully planned to draw visitors to local businesses and showcase the unique amenities of our town.”
Vision for the Next 50 Years
Looking ahead to the town’s 120th anniversary, Collier envisions Ajax as a community that balances inclusivity, opportunity, and innovation. “I hope we’re remembered for laying the groundwork for a smart, inclusive, and economically robust town; that we’ve built infrastructure that lasts, fostered entrepreneurship, and created a culture of innovation.”
That vision includes ensuring Ajax remains a welcoming community for newcomers and a place where heritage is embedded in everyday life. “If fifty years from now, Ajax is known as a community that is resilient, welcoming, and always looking ahead, then I believe we will have truly made our mark for generations to come.”
Ajax in Three Words
Asked to describe Ajax in three words, Mayor Collier is quick to respond: “Vibrant, Diverse, Historic.” It is a succinct summary of a community that began as a wartime settlement, grew into a planned town, and has become one of Canada’s most dynamic municipalities. As Ajax celebrates its 70th anniversary, it does so with pride in its past and confidence in its future.
For more information, please visit www.ajax.ca/ajax70
