Sudbury, your moment has arrived!
We’re thrilled to introduce SPACES — a brand-new, community-focused social network built to connect and celebrate everything that makes our city so unique.
SPACES is designed to bring Sudburians closer together, providing a platform to explore, share and connect in a way that highlights the vibrant culture and diversity of the region. Whether you’re a local foodie, an outdoor enthusiast or simply looking for a space to share good news, SPACES has something for everyone.
Each space is a pocket of connectivity, helping locals stay informed about what’s happening in their area and foster authentic relationships around shared interests. They are hosted by passionate, local community champions who know Sudbury inside and out. From hidden gems to can’t-miss events, these local experts will guide the conversations and ensure that everyone feels welcome.
Want to know what’s happening in Sudbury this weekend? The Things To Do space has you covered. From pop-up events to family-friendly activities, keep an eye on this space for real-time updates about what’s coming in your community. It’s hosted by locals who know where the action is, and is your go-to guide for making every day an adventure.
If discovering trails, lakes, parks and the best vistas is more up your alley, nature lovers won’t have to look further than the Outdoors space. Whether you’re hiking, camping or just soaking up the scenery, this is the place to connect with other like-minded adventures.
Hear firsthand from Sudbury.com’s team of dedicated reporters and editors, at the Inside Sudbury.com space. Get a behind-the-scenes look from their vantage point, into the stories that matter.
Sudbury’s food scene is worth raving about, and where better to do that than the Food & drink space. We’ll celebrate it all — from gourmet burger spots to your band’s favourite watering holes. You can join in the conversation, too; share reviews, announce upcoming live shows and post recommendations with fellow foodies, all under the guidance of local live music and culinary aficionados.
Need a little positivity in your feed? The Good News space is the place to share heartwarming stories, give kudos to local heroes and highlight the best of Sudbury. Celebrate the good that’s happening in this city every single day.
VIDEO: A social network that’s actually social? Here it is
Built alongside Sudbury.com, SPACES is stepping up to reconnect news and audiences in a fresh way. It’s tailored to you and your community and is ready for members to share knowledge and real information — at a time when trust and facts feel harder to find.
A report called Old News, New Reality: A Year of Meta’s News Ban in Canada states that “Canadians are now encountering political and current affairs content ‘through a more biased and less factual lens than before.’”
The report adds, “As a society that cares about the truth and having an informed population to ensure better democratic outcomes and hold politicians accountable, this is extremely bad news.”
That’s where SPACES comes in — a hub for sharing ideas and local updates, all while bringing back the lost art of meaningful community engagement. It’s a space where locals can connect, building trust and respect along the way.
Take a trip down memory lane — share and relive the moments that make Sudbury special through vintage photos, stories and memories of Sudbury’s past (or of your classic cars) in the Sudbury Memories and Vintage Sudbury spaces.
After all, good things grow in Sudbury. The Gardening space is budding with ideas and tips on what to plant (even in the winter).
Come on out to see a show and support local theatre, or learn about opportunities to join Sudbury’s arts scene through the Arts & Culture space devoted entirely to supporting and promoting live local theatre and arts.
And there’s more to come. New spaces will keep cropping up, each one tailored to a unique part of Sudbury life. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, there’s likely a space for you.
SPACES is more than a platform — it’s a movement — and we’re just getting started! If there’s a hobby or topic that you think would make a great space, let the SPACES team know by suggesting it in the feedback form.
These spaces are headed by local experts — they are the people within your circle whom you go to for advice, inspiration and insights.
Hosts also act as moderators, and help keep spaces safe. They are stewards of SPACES Community Guidelines — the rulebook that all members agree to abide by that keeps dialogue welcoming, respectful and courteous.
Want to take a leading role in SPACES? Express your interest in hosting by filling out the So you want to be a SPACES host form.
SEE: Sudbury.com wants you — to host one of our new spaces
SPACES has implemented six key features designed to create a safe, supportive environment — one that prioritizes the well-being of both individuals and the broader community.
When we polled our audiences about their top concerns, one message came through loud and clear: the need for trust and accountability online. Scammers, impersonators and distrust were common worries, and the solution was clear — verification.
To ensure authenticity, every SPACES member must complete an onboarding process, which includes providing an email address and phone number. Before posting, commenting, reacting, or sharing anything, users must go through this verification step. This system ensures all users are registered with an account linked to their real name and photo or chosen avatar, fostering a safer and more trustworthy community.
We’re using artificial intelligence and a list of blacklisted words as two additional technical guardrails that work to automatically detect and remove hate speech, harassment and offensive language.
Finally, SPACES doesn’t have an algorithm. What you see is a real-time snapshot of conversations happening in your area, without algorithmic bias or the chance for users to manipulate the system. This straightforward approach ensures every voice is treated fairly, with no undue prominence given to any post in the newsfeed.
By focusing on verification, safety, and transparency, SPACES is setting a new standard for fostering meaningful and positive connections online.
Plus, users can opt into or out of notifications as they choose, under the manage notifications tab. So users will only get pinged based on their chosen parameters — no irritating alerts.
Members can choose which spaces suit their interests, and therefore will only see posts from spaces they’ve joined. This means no irrelevant content will fill up their feeds.
Now, it’s over to you — take a peek, tell us what you think, say hello to a host and join some spaces.
Today, we’re reclaiming social media and taking SPACES public in Sudbury.
