Welland will host a COVID-19 vaccination centre when supplies are available, Mayor Frank Campion said in his annual year-in-review address Thursday.
“We’re making arrangements … more information will be coming on that soon,” he said during the presentation held in support of United Way Niagara.
He said it’s important to realize vaccinations are coming, but added Niagara needs to get its fair share of them to help residents.
Earlier this year, a shipment of the Moderna vaccine was diverted without explanation from Niagara to another area of Ontario.
The theme of Campion’s update, held via Zoom, was success through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It hasn’t been simple. It’s been a very challenging year for all of us,” he said. “It’s important for us to realize that while COVID-19 shuts down a lot of things and impacts our lives, what we have been able to do is continue as a municipality.”
He said despite COVID-19, Welland continues to grow and prosper.
“We issued a total of 767 new (building) permits in 2020 with a total value of almost $201 million. This is a very significant number.”
Campion said the growth of residential development is impressive and largely driven by people wanting to move to Niagara and Welland from other areas.
“Sometimes this growth is difficult to manage, but we do continue to manage it as best as we can.”
The mayor said while residential growth continues, agreements reached with Empire Communities will lead to 31-hectares of open space and parks for residents to enjoy in its Dain West subdivision.
The Dain East subdivision, the first to be built, will see approximately 46 hectares of open space and parks.
Welland’s economic development team continues to support private sector development while stimulating new business and industry, he said, adding it worked hard to stay one step ahead of the competition.
The team worked over the years to created diversified employment that allowed many companies —including Welded Tube and Innio — to stay open as they were deemed essential services.
“We have been resilient with our industries through the pandemic,” he said.
In 2020, the city sold three lots in the River Road Industrial Park, with construction on Kit Steel’s 12,787-square-foot rebar fabrication facility underway.
He said the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, behind Walmart, is nearly complete with an expected opening in June.
“Tamarack Lumber will start construction on their Woodlawn Road facility this year. We have a lot of things happening on the industrial side.”
The mayor said Welland saw approximately $11 million worth of capital construction projects tendered in record time last year, and added this year’s capital works program is larger.
“We received a perfect 100 per cent (grade) through the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks in 2020, demonstrating the city is maintaining high water quality standards and meeting all provincial requirements,” he said.
Campion said two Hyundai Kona electric vehicles were purchased for the building department, allowing a pair of gas-powered cars to be retired. Funding for both came through revenue from building permit fees, resulting in no impact on taxpayers.
Campion said Foyer Richelieu, at 655 Tanguay Ave., will be one of the first campuses of care to offer four-points of housing along with continuum care.
Four-point housing includes independent living, supportive housing, long-term care and hospice, to be operated by Hospice Niagara. The city was able to assist with the expansion through a $400,000 contribution.
“This model will be a leader in the industry, and I expect we will more of this type of activity in our community.”
On the social side, the mayor said, the city was grateful for the anonymous donor who delivered truckloads of groceries for distribution in the community.
“It’s acts of kindness and compassion like this that are really, really important during these difficult times,” he said, recognizing Open Arms Mission, which has distributed the food.
Campion said Welland will continue to develop, nourish and plan a smart city that promotes livability, workability and sustainability.
“Council and staff will focus on restructuring and diversifying our economy, reinventing ourselves, and building a sustainable foundation for future generations.”
