Work underway at Welland’s Lincoln Street Docks; boat rental program moving there

Water, sewer and electrical servicing work is underway on the future site of Welland's boat rental program at the Lincoln Street Docks. DAVE JOHNSON / TORSTAR

By Dave Johnson
Courtesy of The Welland Tribune

Welland’s boat rental program is moving back to where it all began, says Richard Dalton.

“It’s a big piece of the overall development of the city’s waterfront,” said Dalton, manager of recreation and culture.

The boat rental program started at the Lincoln Street Docks — to be renamed Welland Rotary Park in the future — and later found a home at the Community Boathouse on Thorold Road.

Two years ago, city council voted to move to the rental program back to Lincoln Street and use redesigned shipping containers to house staff and equipment.

Last week, construction crews were clearing the banks along the edge of the waterway and above just north of the lower concrete parking lot.

The work includes water, sewer and electrical servicing on the property.

The new boathouse will contain office space on the upper bank of the recreational canal. The rental program will be on the lower bank and will hold 12 double kayaks, 40 standup paddleboards, 30 single kayaks, six pedal boats, 12 canoes, 150 lifejackets and 90 paddles.

Male and female change rooms and an accessible washroom are also part of the site.

Looking out from his office at Welland Community Wellness Complex across the recreational canal Friday afternoon, Dalton said the shipping containers were not yet on site.

Installing the containers should be a quick process though, he said.

“It should take a day or two.”

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