Monthly Archives: July 2022

Gadabout Gardener

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Hosta Joseph and the Wind Chimes: On this morning, listening to sounds of silence. / Photo by Joe Barkovich.

(Gadabout Gardener is a recurring feature on the blog, with a focus on randomly selected or recommended garden spaces in the city. Do any sights or sites come to mind as photo suggestions? Contact Gadabout Gardener at: fromareportersnotebook@gmail.com.)

Footnote To History: Happy Birthday, Welland!

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The village’s boundaries, in 1858, are highlighted here in black.

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large.

WELLAND – Today (July 24) is Welland’s birthday.

William H. Lewis, author of the acclaimed Aqueduct, Merrittsville and Welland, A History of the City of Welland trilogy, wrote in Volume 1, The Beginning Years: “On July 24, 1858, the Village of Merrittsville was incorporated by an Act of  Parliament, and was authorized to conduct business under the name of the Municipality of the Village of Welland.”

He also provided some detail from the Act to Incorporate the Village of Welland in the County of Welland. Section 2 “laid out and described the boundaries and territory of the village,” according to Lewis. He used a map (pictured above) to illustrate the boundaries of the village as it was in 1858. The population, according to the Act, was “more than seven hundred and fifty inhabitants.”

Mr. Lewis, who died April 15, 2012 , noted in the chapter titled The Birth of Welland, “And so, 29 years after being founded as a shantytown called Aqueduct, and after 14 years as Merrittsville, the Village of Welland came into being. After the erection of the county buildings, the community began to prosper, and soon outstripped in importance all the other places in the county.”

Credit for shining a light on this footnote to local history goes to the Downtown Welland BIA. 

The business organization included the occasion on its July illumination schedule for Bridge 13, Main Street Bridge.  It illuminated the bridge in green, blue, red, gold and grey Sunday evening and wished, ‘Happy Birthday Welland!’ on the July calendar. It’s our community’s 164th.

Also worthy of note: The village was incorporated as a Town January 1, 1878, and then as a City on July 1, 1917.

Expressions Of Interest Sought For Surplus Land In Downtown Core

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WELLAND – City Council has approved to proceed with the request for Expression of Interest for the sale of surplus vacant land on the southwest corner of Division and Cross streets for the development of a mixed-use building.

The 0.261-acre site is zoned Downtown Mixed-Use Centre (DMC). This is an exciting opportunity for interested parties to submit an offer and concept plan to the City of Welland for the revitalization of the downtown core.

There are incentives available under the Downtown and Health and Wellness Cluster Community Improvement Program (“CIP”), purchase of the land will provide financial incentive programs to nurture revitalization, reinforce diversity in the downtown area, and encourage strength in the health and wellness cluster. The seven incentive programs available through the Downtown and Health and Wellness Cluster and Brownfield CIP’s include:

  • Urban Design Study Grant
  • Facade Improvement Grant
  • Building Improvement Grant
  • Residential Grant
  • Tax Increment Grant (TIG)
  • Planning and Building Fees
  • Development Charge Reduction Program
  • ESA Grant under the Brownfield CIP

Additional Information will be posted on the City of Welland website under the Surplus Land page on Monday, July 25, 2022.

Interested parties are required to submit a concept plan with their offer to the City of Welland economic development office, no later than 4 p.m. on September 30, 2022.

For a copy of the Expression of Interest or general inquiries about the land, contact Lina DeChellis, economic development manager at lina.dechellis@welland.ca.

(Attribution: City of Welland media release)

City Opens Cooling Stations And Extended Public Pool Times To Assist Residents During Excessive Heat

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WELLAND –  The City of Welland has established cooling stations for residents in need of relief from the outdoors when a heat alert is in effect. Cooling stations will be opened for public use when a heat alert is in issued by the Government of Canada. Welland Transit washrooms are available to the public.

A heat alert is issued when the humidex is at least 40°C or higher for two consecutive days, or daily temperatures are expected to reach 31°C or higher for two consecutive days and overnight temperatures are at least 20°C or higher for two consecutive days.

It is recommended that residents take precautions during extreme heat and humidity episodes to keep family members safe. Seniors, young children, people with disabilities, and pets are highly vulnerable to extreme heat and humidity. Do not leave children or pets unattended in parked cars or areas susceptible to hot conditions.

Cooling Station and Public Pool times:

  • East Main Street Transit Terminal, 160 East Main Street
  • Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Saturday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Welland Community Centre, 145 Lincoln Street
  • Open access until 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 19
  • City outdoor swimming pools open from July 3 to August 27
  • Monday to Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Friday to Sunday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Splash pad hours
  • 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Community members who are concerned about individuals who are homeless or are in need of sheltered can call 2-1-1 or visit: Niagara Assertive Street Outreach Team – Niagara Assertive Street Outreach Team | 211 Central South Region – Niagara

For more information on heat alerts, visit: Public Weather Alerts for Canada – Environment Canada 

(Attribution: City of Welland media release)