Niagara Catholic Receives Additional Funding To Build New Catholic Elementary School In Beamsville

WELLAND – Camillo Cipriano, Director of Education of the Niagara Catholic District School Board, is pleased to announce that the board has received the additional funding needed to begin planning for the new St. Luke Catholic Elementary School in Beamsville.

 “Beamsville is one of the most sought-after communities in Niagara, and there are many new homes and neighbourhoods there, and in the surrounding area,” said Director Cipriano. “New developments, coupled with growing enrolment across Niagara Catholic, has made it very clear that a new Catholic elementary school is necessary in Beamsville. I am very proud of our teams in Facilities Services and Business and Financial Services for their hard work in submitting the request for additional funding to the Ministry. And I am extremely grateful to the Minister of Education for appreciating the urgency of this request. I know our 421 future St. Luke students, as well as staff and families, look forward to construction beginning as soon as possible.” 

Niagara Catholic acquired the land for a new Catholic elementary school on Greenlane Road in Beamsville in mid-2021. The Ministry awarded $10.1 million in provincial funding for the new school in late 2021. Recognizing the importance of early learning and the urgent need for childcare in the growing community, the board submitted a supplemental request to the Ministry for $2 million, to include a three-room childcare centre in the new Catholic elementary school. That funding, for 49 infant, toddler, and preschool childcare spaces, was approved in early 2023.

 During the design stage, the board identified a significant gap between the projected cost for construction and provincial funding. In early 2025, the board submitted a new request for funding to the Ministry. In July, the Ministry approved Niagara Catholic’s revised cost estimate request, granting $24.4 million in total funding. The new St. Luke Catholic Elementary School will address overcrowding at neighbouring Catholic elementary schools and will accommodate future growth in the community.

 It will be constructed with 21st century learning in mind and will include state-of-the-art technology to support modern learners. The integrated childcare centre will provide crucial support for working families and support early learning. As a hub for community use, it will offer space for local events and activities, supporting the municipality and community organizations, strengthening social bonds and fostering community well-being.

Board Chair Danny Di Lorenzo also expressed his thanks to Niagara Catholic’s senior administration and the Ministry of Education.

 “I am very pleased that our Superintendent of Business and Financial Services, along with the very skilled team in Facilities Services, put forward a compelling request to the Ministry of Education for the additional funding for the new St. Luke Catholic Elementary School,” said Chair Di Lorenzo. “I also extend my thanks to Niagara Catholic’s entire senior leadership team, who never lost sight of the importance of lobbying for a new Catholic elementary school in Beamsville. On behalf of the entire Niagara Catholic Board of Trustees, I thank everyone involved in this application process for their commitment and diligence. I also thank the Ministry for recognizing the need for a new Catholic elementary school in Beamsville. I look forward to celebrating the groundbreaking for the new St. Luke Catholic Elementary School, and the official blessing and opening.” 

The Minister of Education noted how the new school will benefit the community.

 “Our government is focused on supporting students, teachers, and parents while ensuring school boards are equipping our students with the tools they need to succeed,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “Once completed, the new St. Luke Catholic School will provide a modernized space where students can build the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow, while also providing much-needed childcare spaces for working parents. We will continue to invest in the resources students need to reach their full potential.” 

Key dates: Funding for new St. Luke Catholic Elementary School in Beamsville approved: July 30, 2025; Projected Construction Start Date: October 30, 2025; Projected Opening Date: February 2, 2027

Attribution: Niagara Catholic news release

Gadabout Gardener

Caption: Beautiful late-summer flowers, hard-working bee. For wandering shutterbugs, this bed at Niagara College’s Welland campus was just the place to be. I think I rose to the occasion. /Joe Barkovich photos. Gadabout Gardener is a recurring feature on the blog appearing until September.

They’re At The Post…

I’ve long been an admirer of this rose in Chippawa Park without knowing its identity, until now. Reached out earlier this week to Welland parks and forestry staff to see if they could provide the name and they came through, of course. This is the climber, Blaze Improved. The street sign in the background pinpoints its location: Fitch Street and Somerville Avenue and chances are you’ve noticed it while driving or walking past. After some research online, here is one description I found about it: “The Blaze Improved Climbing Rose (Rosa Blaze) is a stunning and vibrant rose variety known for its exceptional beauty and vigorous growth. It features large clusters of semi-double red blooms with a light tea fragrance and it is easy to train for a delightful climbing display.” My thanks to Welland parks and forestry for their assistance. / Joe Barkovich photo.

Trade Fair To Offer Culture, Community, Family Fun Friday At Welland Farmers’ Market

WELLAND – Esthers in the Market Place Trade Fair is being held Friday, Aug. 29, at Welland farmers’ market, 70 Young St. 

The event is organized and hosted by When Esthers Arise, a Niagara-based women’s empowerment initiative dedicated to creating opportunities for women and families through mentorship, leadership, and community-focused events. The group is rooted in scripture in the Old Testament’s Book of Esther,

It will bring culture, community and family fun to Welland, says a news release. Hours are from  9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The full-day celebration will feature outdoor vendor booths, live music, a fashion show, and a kid-friendly activity zone, bringing together families, local entrepreneurs, and artists from across Niagara.

Highlight include:

Local vendors and artisans showcasing handmade goods, cultural foods, and unique products;

Live entertainment – music and a fashion show spotlighting local talent;

Kid’s Corner – giant bouncing castle, cotton candy, ice cream, and more family fun.

“The event has already gained support from community leaders, including Welland Mayor Frank Campion and Ward 3 Coun.  Sharmila Setaram, who recently met with the Esthers Arise team to show their encouragement,” the release says.

The event is free and open to the public.

And Just Like That…

CAPTION: Berm and vegetation removal this morning, Tuesday, Aug. 26 at the Niagara College, Welland campus, construction site for a 75,000-square-foot Applied Health Institute building project. /Joe Barkovich photos.

Busy As A Bee

Finding time to stop and smell the roses amidst the work that has to be done. These roses are found at Niagara College’s Welland campus. /Joe Barkovich photo

Niagara College Construction Project

Watching berm, tree removal at Niagara College’s Welland campus this morning. This was taken at the corner of Woodlawn Road and First Avenue, looking across Woodlawn Road. A 75,000-square-foot expansion of the college’s Applied Health Institute will be built on the site. The project will enhance NC’s ability to attract students and increase enrolment capacity in high-demand health programs, many of which currently have long wait lists, More photos to follow. /Joe Barkovich photo

City Of Welland’s Participation At AMO Conference 2025

The City of Welland had a strong presence at the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, where its delegation highlighted local priorities through advocacy meetings with provincial officials and took part in a range of professional development and learning opportunities. Led by Mayor Frank Campion and CAO Rob Axiak, the team held 11 meetings with Provincial Ministers and their staff. These discussions are vital in ensuring Welland’s voice is heard at Queen’s Park, helping to shape provincial decision-making, secure funding, and advance policies that benefit the community.

Key Advocacy Meetings

Infrastructure & Growth

• Meeting with Amarjot Sandhu, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Infrastructure.
• Emphasized that growth is more than housing; it requires $431M in infrastructure investments (roads, water, sewer, sidewalks).
• Highlighted Welland’s track record of meeting housing targets while advocating for intergovernmental collaboration to support growth.
• Expressed the City’s interest in the submission of additional projects into the expanded Municipal Infrastructure Fund to support infrastructure needs such as Quaker Road.

Francophone Affairs & Inclusion

• Meeting with the Ministry of Francophone Affairs.
• Discussed expanding bilingual services, signage, and cultural programming.
• Reinforced that French language and culture are central to Welland’s identity, inclusion, and community-building.

Economic Development & Industry

• Meeting with Brian Saunderson, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade.
• Addressed challenges facing Welland’s industries (steel, EV parts, engines) impacted by tariffs.
• Emphasized appreciation for the current grant program (Protect Ontario Financing Program), for industries in Welland to partake in during these turbulent times.
• Stressed the need for provincial support to protect jobs and strengthen local economic resilience.

Health & Quality of Life

• Meeting with the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health.
• Raised the Welland hospital and the local share as key issues.
• Reinforced proactive advocacy to ensure the community’s health needs are addressed.
• Spoke about upstream programs and services to help prevent health issues before they arise and the need to further leverage this concept.

Sports & Recreation Investment

• Meeting with Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport.
• Discussed the Recreation & Community Complex, with feasibility study and land already secured.
• Positioned the project as shovel-ready pending provincial partnership to deliver modern facilities for athletes and families.
• Expressed the City’s interest in reapplying to the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure fund.

Other meetings included:

• Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, Minister Nolan Quinn, in partnerships with senior staff from Niagara College in attendance.
• Ministry of Education, Parliamentary Assistant Jess Dixon
• Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Associate Minister Nina Tangri
• Ministry of Red Tape Reduction, Minister Andrea Khanjin
• Ministry of Infrastructure, Parliamentary Assistant Amarjot Sandhu
• Ministry of Long-Term Care, Minister Kusendova-Bashta

In addition to ministerial meetings, staff also met with staff from the ByWard Market District Authority to explore ideas for Welland’s downtown and market. This meeting allowed staff to understand and learn how downtown markets and spaces can revitalize core areas within a city. The learnings gained from this additional meeting, will be incorporated in the Downtown revitalization plan.

Learning Opportunities at AMO

In addition to advocacy meetings, delegates benefited from a range of workshops, keynotes, and training sessions:

Pre-Conference Workshops (Saturday, August 16):

• Health & Safety on Construction Projects: Understanding responsibilities and liabilities.
• Countering Hate and Social Polarization: Addressing extremism and fostering inclusion.

Concurrent Workshops (Sunday, August 17):

• Growing Wisely: Aligning growth and asset management planning.
• Civility & Anti-Harassment Strategy: Building respectful municipal environments.
• Corporate Partnerships: Exploring sponsorship and naming rights opportunities.
• Emergency Preparedness: Leveraging provincial supports for municipal resilience.

Conference Highlights:

• Keynote by Andrew Coyne on political and economic trends.
• More than 60 workshops and sessions covering housing, infrastructure, AI, Indigenous relations, trade, and the launch of AMO’s Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan.

Board Supports at AMO

Councillor Sharmila Setaram represented Welland at the AMO 2025 Conference not only as part of the city’s delegation, but also in her elected role on the Association of AMO Board of Directors and the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) Executive Committee.

These leadership positions give Welland a direct seat at the provincial table, allowing our city to influence decisions that affect our day-to-day lives. From housing and healthcare to infrastructure and municipal finances, Councillor Setaram ensures that Welland’s unique challenges and priorities are heard and considered in provincial policy-making.

Before the conference, Councillor Setaram participated in two days of AMO board meetings and an OSUM executive session. At the OSUM meeting, she participated in discussions with Minister Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to raise urgent issues such as housing affordability, homelessness, and the rising costs of infrastructure — all of which directly impact Welland’s ability to grow sustainably and support residents.

As an AMO board member, Councillor Setaram also chaired a session with Minister Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), focusing on Ontario’s long-term Integrated Energy Plan. These conversations are critical to ensuring Welland’s future energy needs are considered in provincial planning.

Welland’s presence in these leadership roles means we’re not just reacting to provincial decisions — we’re helping shape them. It raises our city’s visibility, strengthens our advocacy, and ensures that provincial policies reflect the realities of communities like ours. This kind of representation helps secure funding, influence legislation, and build partnerships that benefit Welland directly.

Through targeted meetings, Council and staff advanced Welland’s priorities in infrastructure, inclusion, industry, health, and recreation, and more The AMO Conference also provided meaningful professional development and networking opportunities that will strengthen municipal leadership and inform future decision-making.

Through our meetings, both informal and formal, delegates from the province and other municipalities had extremely high praise for the work the City of Welland is doing.

Attribution: City of Welland media release

Barky’s Billboard

Please support/attend this yummy fund-raising event!

Barky’s Billboard is a recurring feature on the blog./Supplied graphic

Barky’s Billboard

Please support/attend this important community event

Barky’s Billboard is a recurring feature on the blog. /Supplied graphic