Welland is changing and adopting smart city initiatives to better suit the needs of residents, investors, and its thriving business community. Home to Niagara College, one of Canada’s most respected and admired leading research institutions, and located in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula, our amazing city offers first rate education and investment opportunities.
Just 135 km from Toronto Pearson Airport, 70 km from Hamilton International Airport, 48 km from Buffalo International Airport, and 8 km from Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport: Welland is easy enough to find, and a great place to explore.
As we reflect on the past year, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for our city’s remarkable progress and accomplishments. Our collective efforts continue to transform Welland into a vibrant, dynamic, and inclusive community that is growing and thriving.
In 2023, we celebrated an incredible array of 117 events, including 24 multi-day gatherings, delivering 142 days of activity and excitement. Of these, 75 were City-hosted, such as the ever-popular Friday Night Live at the Community Centre, Farmers Market experiences, including the Supper Market, and various committee and partner events like Row Ontario and a show from the Canalside Players. Our waterways also saw 25 recreational events, seven City-partnered, further cementing Welland’s reputation as a hub of activity and community engagement.
We launched the Love My Park initiative in six parks across Welland’s wards, fostering community spirit and engagement. The Recreational Canal Safety Plan introduced in 2023 has provided a robust framework for managing safety risks associated with our waterways, ensuring that residents can enjoy these spaces safely.
Welland Fire and Emergency Services made significant strides in modernization, enhancing public safety and reducing response times. Our bylaw enforcement team has diligently worked to maintain the city’s standards, ensuring a clean and safe environment for all residents.
Our strategic location within the Niagara Region and proactive development approach have positioned Welland as a premier destination for business growth and innovation. With significant investments and new facilities, we continue to create jobs and foster economic prosperity.
The finance department has remained steadfast in its commitment to maximizing the impact of every tax dollar, ensuring the continued delivery of quality programs and services. Our prudent financial management, which prioritizes the community’s needs, has allowed us to invest in the community while practicing fiscal responsibility, instilling confidence in our financial management.
We have made great strides in enhancing communication with our residents, embracing new channels to gather feedback and keep everyone informed. Our commitment to listening and adapting to the needs of our community is unwavering.
As we look forward to the future, I am confident that our collective efforts will continue to drive Welland toward even greater success. Together, we are building a city that is vibrant, inclusive, and resilient – a place we are all proud to call home.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement.
Welland City Council is committed to governing the city towards a productive and prosperous future. With an eye on future generations, Council is focused on managing residential growth and cultivating an economic environment that welcomes new industry and fosters job growth.
Back row, from left: Ward 3 Councillor John Chiocchio, Ward 4 Councillor Tony Dimarco, Ward 2 Councillor David McLoud, Ward 4 Councillor Bryan Green, Ward 5 Councillor Claudette Richard, Ward 5 Councillor Graham Speck and Ward 2 Councillor Leo VanVliet. Front row, from left: Ward 1 Councillor Adam Moote, Ward 6 Councillor Jamie Lee, Ward 3 Councillor Sharmila Setaram, Mayor Frank Campion, Ward 1 Councillor Mary Ann Grimaldi and Ward 6 Councillor Bonnie Fokkens.
As Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Welland, I am pleased to present our annual report, highlighting our achievements and progress over the past year. Our City’s success is built upon our staff’s dedication and hard work, the strategic direction provided by our Council, and our unwavering commitment to encouraging growth.
Our City’s greatest asset is its people. The commitment, professionalism, and innovation demonstrated by our staff have not only been instrumental in achieving our goals but have also directly impacted the lives of our community members. This year, we have focused on enhancing our work environment, providing professional development opportunities, and recognizing the contributions of our employees. We have implemented new training programs, increased our support for mental health and well-being, and fostered a culture of collaboration and excellence. Our staff’s dedication to serving the community is evident in the high-quality programs and services we deliver every day, making our partners feel proud to be a part of this journey.
Our Strategic Plan has guided our actions and decisions, ensuring that we remain focused on our core priorities: Community Engagement and Well-being, Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, and Infrastructure and Mobility. The plan outlines specific goals and initiatives tailored to our City’s unique needs. From cultivating a strong sense of community to promoting economic growth and environmental stewardship, we are committed to creating a city where everyone can thrive. We invite you to explore the full Strategic Plan on our website and join us in shaping Welland’s future. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community for generations to come.
We are committed to opening doors for new growth, both in our people and our places. Investing in our employees ensures that we have the talent and expertise to drive our city forward. We strategically plan and execute development projects to create new opportunities for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Our City’s future is bright, and we are well-positioned to build on our successes. As we look ahead, we will continue prioritizing our strategic initiatives, supporting our staff, and fostering a community where everyone can thrive.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to making Welland a great place to live, work, play, and invest.
There were 117 events in 2023, including 24 multi-day events, totalling 142 activity-packed days. Of these events, 75 were City-hosted and included Friday Night Live at the Community Centre, Farmers Market events, such as the Supper Market, and committee and partner events like Canalside Players, Row Ontario, and more.
There were 25 recreational waterway events, and seven were City-hosted in partnership with the sports organization.
Canal Bistro offered homemade meals Monday through Friday from September to June; the monthly lunch specials were sold out on the last Friday of each month.
Canalside Players entertained 570 audience members over the five days their show Knickers was performed.
Welland Summer Day Camp has been operating for more than 40 years and it’s still going strong. In 2023, all 900 spots were filled, and 400 kids were placed on the waitlist.
Welland Sportz Camp’s inaugural year was hosted at the Empire Sportsplex. The facility’s multi-sport design allowed campers to learn various athletic skills in a fun, cooperative, and supportive recreational environment.
Empire Sportsplex and Rec Rentals @ the Docks opened May long weekend.
Empire Sportsplex offered open access times for all to play at this award-winning facility.
Rec Rentals was open on weekends for June and September, and seven days a week during July and August.
The Call to Artist—Rec Rentals mural was completed in 2023.
Introduced in 2023, the Recreational Canal Safety Plan was designed to provide a framework for managing safety risks associated with recreational activities associated with the recreational canal. This waterway is the plan’s predominant focus because it is Welland’s most actively promoted destination for recreational activities and events.
Key components of the plan focussed on:
In June 2023, Love My Park launched in six parks across all Welland’s wards, capturing the ideas and imagination of neighbourhoods throughout the city.
The department’s director, managers, supervisors, co-ordinators, and camp staff attended the engagement sessions held at each park. These evenings were filled with play, music, and conversations. Camp staff entertained children and gathered their ideas while others spoke with the adults. Some friendly competition was also enjoyed when neighbours and staff played cornhole, Kan Jam, and axe throwing.
After the engagement sessions, lists of the short-, medium-, and long-term goals for each park were created. It was decided that a Love My Park engagement session would occur every two years, allowing staff to complete the short- and medium-term goals. Through these sessions, the need to implement a park sign strategy was realized, and that work has begun with the Communications department.
An aquatic safety audit was completed on outdoor pools, and it provides a community-based mechanism to monitor the safety of aquatic facilities.
The facility operational audit was completed at Welland’s arenas. It offers a plan for self-improvement related to operational best practices, operational tools, and levels of staff training compared with other similar operations.
Approximately 6,620 permits were issued in 2023 for these locations:
In 2023, Welland Fire and Emergency Services moved to the second stage of its modernization strategy, increasing the complement of full-time firefighters and making operational changes to improve service delivery. The increased staffing will reduce response times and improve public safety. Design of Fire Station 3, the third and final station, was completed and the project is moving ahead at full speed. The department has gained international fame for its public safety messaging efforts and been recognized as an industry leader in the province.
Annual emergency responses returned to pre-pandemic levels, but the occurrences of fire declined overall.
The bylaw enforcement team completed $186,768 worth of work in cases where property owners failed to comply with orders. Examples of this work include: grass cutting, refuse removal, tree removal, vacant building board ups, etc.
The planning division is responsible for the administration, review, and processing of various applications submitted under the Planning Act. The division also prepares a number of agreements and bylaws, and handles mapping, property matters, and other studies and programs.
The cultivation of strong partnerships and the facilitation of business growth is at the forefront of our economic strategy. Positioned strategically within the thriving Niagara Region and boasting excellent transportation infrastructure, Welland emerges as a premier destination for manufacturing and supply chain operations. With a proactive development approach and shovel-ready land available, Welland presents an ideal environment for businesses seeking to establish or enhance their presence, solidifying its reputation as a leading hub for manufacturing growth and innovation.
The finance department is focused on stretching tax dollars so the City can continue providing quality programs and services to the public.
This is an example based on an average residential property with an assessment value of $279,854.
| Budget Breakdown | $ | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parks, recreation, pools, arenas, and Welland Community Centre | $12,561,207 | 17.60% | $12,561,207|17.60% |
| Administration, Clerks, Legal, Finance, Human Resources | $10,933,185 | 15.32% | $10,933,185|15.32% |
| Fire protection | $11,584,833 | 16.23% | $11,584,833|16.23% |
| Roads, sidewalks, street cleaning, winter control, and streetlights | $10,732,111 | 15.03% | $10,732,111|15.03% |
| Debt | $8,224,818 | 11.52% | $8,224,818|11.52% |
| Contribution to capital projects | $7,788,195 | 10.91% | $7,788,195|10.91% |
| Transit – conventional, WellTrans, and inter-municipal | --- | 0.00% | ---|0.00% |
| Community planning, building, and economic development | $4,192,155 | 5.87% | $4,192,155|5.87% |
| Operating grants | $2,999,027 | 4.20% | $2,999,027|4.20% |
| Contribution to reserves | $1,863,322 | 2.61% | $1,863,322|2.61% |
| Other grants (permissive and contractual) | $509,236 | 0.71% | $509,236|0.71% |
The Welland Public Library remained committed to providing the community with an exceptional variety of resources, services, activities, and experiences at its three branch locations. Using the Valuing Libraries Toolkit provided by the Ontario Library Service, it’s estimated that for every dollar invested into the Welland Public Library, $5.94 in community socio-economic impact is generated – an impressive return of 594 per cent.
In-person visits rose by more than 27 per cent in 2023, and overall materials usage increased by 7.32 per cent, as compared to 2022. Program offerings and attendance surpassed pre-pandemic levels with 33,777 people attending 1,637 activities.
The Library also focused on strengthening community supports through the introduction of a reading buddies program, non-perishable food pantry, and a tablet lending program. Non-traditional collections also expanded to meet the needs of residents and included new board games, puzzles, toys, Wonderbooks, technology, and musical instruments.
2023 marked the tenth year of operation for the Diamond Trail Branch. Preparations to celebrate the Welland Public Library's 200th year of operation in Welland, happening in 2024, also began.
The Welland Museum is committed to providing residents and visitors with a relevant, fun, and engaging experience. Through interactive exhibits and programs, everyone has the opportunity to learn about our diverse and dynamic city.
In 2023, the Welland Museum launched its new strategic plan and mandate with a focus on the visitor experience. We remain focused on delving into Welland’s unique history while also showcasing Canadian heritage as a whole.
This was also a year of celebration for the Museum; we commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Carnegie Building in Welland. Our community events, including a Roaring ‘20s Fun Fair and a 1920s Soirée, were great successes and we thank the community for supporting these events.
We created Messy @ the Museum, a weekly program for children with a focus on STEAM activities, and we also began offering two weeks of summer camp. We held several sessions for adults, including a book talk with local author William Thomas. We connected with seniors by presenting to retirement groups and senior residents. We also attended Celebration of Nations again. We connected with the District School Board of Niagara at its Heritage Fair and its Parent Involvement Conference. Finally, we shared a pop-up exhibit with the Legislative Assembly of Ontario featuring Morty the Mastodon.
Thank you to our Museum members and visitors for providing us with the opportunity to explore Welland’s rich heritage together.
City of Welland staff continue to find new ways to connect and engage with citizens and gather public feedback. With people always changing, their needs are also evolving; therefore, our team aims to leverage the right channels to reach and communicate with a broader audience. At our core is the belief that listening is the essence to better communication.
