Monthly Archives: January 2020

Boomtown Welland Sets Record For New Housing Units In 2019

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WELLAND – The City of Welland experienced another year of robust development activity in 2019, including a record number of new housing units, according to the city’s Building and Planning Division records. The data also shows a steady rise in building permits and construction value growth since 2016.

The City of Welland’s 2019 residential development is aligned with the city’s growth plan—including residential intensification—which promotes public transit, walking, and bicycling as a mode of transportation. “This growth in new housing units is bringing new residents to our community, supporting our local economy, and creating jobs in the skilled trades and construction industry,” said Welland Mayor Frank Campion. “City Council will continue to make investments in infrastructure and amenities for current residents, and to help attract new residents and maintain a quality of place and a quality of life second to none.”

“Welland/Niagara will see significant residential growth over the next twenty years, based on independent population forecasts. City staff, and our Development Team, are committed to working closely with builders and developers, and ensuring that our business processes align with their goals and support their timelines,” said Welland CAO Gary Long. “The key to our success will be working together to support the strategic management of this growth.”

“The City of Welland has experienced incredible growth in private sector investment over the last few years, and the city is seeing the results in the record number of new housing units,” said Dan Degazio, General Manager, Economic Development, Recreation and Culture. “Welland is an ideal place to live as the lifestyle is incredible, and the cost of our housing compared to the GTA is a fraction of the cost.”

Welland’s population is 52,293 based on the 2016 Canadian Census data. The city’s population forecast—verified by independent planning consultants—is projected to grow 18,630 by 2041. City staff estimate the city’s 2020 Building Permit Activity and Residential Growth will be similar to 2019, provided economic conditions remain comparable.

TOTAL NUMBER OF PERMITS, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION VALUE:

YEAR    # OF BLDG. PERMITS     PERMIT CONSTRUCTION VALUE    # OF NEW DWELLING UNITS
2014           636                              $80,134,750.00                                    183
2015           641                              $70,323,900.00                                    173
2016           622                              $81,772,200.00                                    132
2017           727                             $162,076,600.00                                   198
2018           802                             $129,056,798.00                                   401
2019           790                             $130,340,523.85                                   472

(Source: City of Welland news release)

This Week: Meetings In Welland

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Meeting Calendar
Meetings are open to the public unless otherwise noted. Information is obtained from the applicable agency, board, committee, or commission and downloaded to this calendar as it becomes available. Information is subject to change. Please check back often for the most up-to-date information, including cancellations.

January
14
Special Council Meeting in Committee-of-the-Whole (Closed to the Public) ≫
6:15 PM Tuesday Jan. 14 2020 –
Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees:
– Non-union vacancy.

Proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board:
– Sale of City Owned land.

Council Ante Room

14
Special Council Meeting in Open Session, followed by General Committee Meeting, in Open Session ≫
7:00 PM Tuesday Jan. 14 2020 –
Council Chambers

15
Committee of Adjustment Hearing(s) ≫
5:00 PM Wednesday Jan. 15 2020 –
Council Chambers

15
Market Square Advisory Committee Meeting ≫
6:00 PM Wednesday Jan. 15 2020 –
Welland Community Wellness, 145 Lincoln Street

16
Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting ≫
9:30 AM Thursday Jan. 16 2020 –
LOCATION: Welland Community Wellness Complex, 145 Lincoln Street

16
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting ≫
3:00 PM Thursday Jan. 16 2020 –
Welland Community Wellness Complex, 145 Lincoln Street

(Source: City of Welland website)

Irish, Cyclone Clash In Tribune Tournament Championship Saturday

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Notre Dame’s David Jones goes up for a basket during the ND – St. Paul championship round semi-final at the 65th annual Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament Friday evening at ND’s Dillon Hall. The Irish won a hard fought 56-48 victory to advance to Saturday’s championship against E. L. Crossley Cyclone. Earlier, the Cyclone dismantled Eden Flyers 76-52 to advance. Saturday’s action is at the Niagara College Athletic Centre, Welland. The consolation final pits Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs against Governor Simcoe Redcoats, both from St. Catharines, at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Irish – Cyclone game at 7 p.m. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Sean Kennedy Selected As Niagara College’s Sixth President

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Sean Kennedy, Niagara College’s incoming president. (Niagara College photo)

The Niagara College Board of Governors announced today that it has selected Sean Kennedy, an experienced postsecondary leader with 20 years of experience leading teams in several areas of higher education, as Niagara College’s sixth president.

Currently Niagara College’s senior vice president, International, Kennedy has been a part of the College’s senior leadership team since 2006.

“Sean is student-focused, and embodies the Niagara College DNA – the welcoming, passionate and trailblazing qualities that set Niagara College apart and form the foundation of its success,” said John F.T. Scott, chair of the Niagara College Board of Governors.

Dan Patterson

Kennedy succeeds Dan Patterson, who announced in spring, 2019 that he would conclude his 25-year tenure as president. In July 2019, the Niagara College Board of Governors began its process to select a new president.

“Our recruitment process attracted exceptional candidates from across the country,” said Scott. “In the end it became very clear that Sean brings the ideal combination of energy, experience, vision and community connections that will help him lead Niagara College into the next chapter of its remarkable history.”

Kennedy joined Niagara College in 2006 as vice president, Student and External Relations and CEO of the Niagara College Foundation, a role in which he oversaw the College’s re-branding and implemented strategies to strengthen the College’s marketing, fundraising, enrolment, community engagement and government relations.

For the 2011-2012 academic year, Kennedy served as interim vice president, Academic, with responsibility for all academic operations of the College, including program quality, pathways and educational development.

Kennedy assumed his current role in 2014, overseeing the College’s global engagement and rapidly growing international activities, including international partnerships and student mobility, student recruitment and services, English Language programs, and overseas projects, campuses and training. In this role, Kennedy has led a multi-national team of more than 500 employees who have significantly extended the College’s profile and enriched the lives of students around the world.

Kennedy has also been a member of boards and agencies at the national, provincial and community levels.

Prior to joining Niagara College, Kennedy held leadership positions in student services, academic and International education at the University of Alberta and Red Deer College.

“It is an absolute privilege to be given the opportunity to lead Canada’s most dynamic college,” said Kennedy. “Niagara College is successful because we dream big, we dare to lead, and we have an exceptionally dedicated team of faculty and staff, who share a commitment to the success of our students and our communities. Looking ahead to a period of significant opportunities and challenges, I will work tirelessly as president to nurture, encourage and leverage our shared values, and the defining characteristics that set Niagara College apart.”

Kennedy and his wife, Kerry, live in Fonthill and are the proud parents of two sons, Aidan and Neil

(Source: Niagara College news release)

 

 

Trib Tourney Bounced To Thursday Start

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Revised bracket for the 65th annual Tribune Tournament

A one-day job action involving District School Board of Niagara has resulted in a change to the schedule of the 65th annual Welland Tribune Boys Basketball Tournament. All opening-round games will take place Thursday morning rather than the planned date, Wednesday, January 8. Quarter-final matchups will start Thursday afternoon.
Don Larman, tournament co-convener, explained the changes in an emailed statement Sunday evening:
“It makes sense to slot in the early round games by doubling up games during the first round with the second round opening up the tournament on Thursday.
“We had a Plan B and a schedule prepared going into the holiday break should there be a delay for any reason to our tournament kickoff on January 8. We had reached out to all of our sites prior to the break and all of the schools, Centennial, Crossley, Jean Vanier and Notre Dame, were on board with our plan.
“Our site conveners, Kelly Spiers, Aaron Belding, Brian Bleich, Eric Labonte and Mark Gallagher, at these schools worked throughout the weekend with their respective school administrators to solidify our plan which included our buyout games. Thanks to them and the principals and other community partners we are able to tip off the tourney with our full slate of games on Thursday morning.”
The revised bracket shows 16 games will be played on Day 1, including six at Notre Dame, four each at Centennial and Vanier, and two at Crossley.
Part of the Thursday morning action are three buyout games: Governor Simcoe at Centennial, 8:30 a.m., Westlane at Jean Vanier at 9 a.m. and Port Colborne at E.L. Crossley at 10:30 a.m.
Notre Dame is the defending tournament champion while Greater Fort Erie won the consolation championship last year.
District School Board of Niagara is one of eight Ontario school boards that will see secondary teachers and education workers participate in the one-day walkout on Wednesday.