Making connections with other organizations is an important part of the City of Welland’s efforts in providing programming to residents.
And that’s exactly what is taking place at Welland Community Centre, formerly known as the wellness complex, and its new neighbour on the east side of the recreational canal – Grand Canal retirement residence, a home that opened late last year.
Work started in the spring on a new walkway to join the 130-unit facility with the community centre, part of a reciprocal agreement between both parties.
Rob Axiak, the city’s director of community services, estimates the work, which includes a new entrance to the community centre, will be done possibly in late July.
The project is about 80 per cent complete, he said Friday morning.
“This gives us a bit of an opportunity to now have access to all the residents they’re going to have in that particular location,” said Axiak, adding the cost of the walkway is being covered by Grand Canal Residence.
In a report approved by city council in November, the details of the mutual agreement were laid out.
All residents of the facility are treated to an annual complimentary membership, valued at $30 per year, to the community centre.
The membership includes access to paid fitness and arts and culture programs, punch cards for use of therapy pool, fitness equipment, drop-in programs like Tai Chi, shuffleboard, chess, euchre, and a music program. They also get access to a computer lab, woodshop, and billiards room. As well as discounts to ticketed events, and access to health clinics and wellness seminars, the city said in its report late last year.
In return, Grand Canal Residence will offer free access to an arts and crafts space, demonstration kitchen and multipurpose rooms.
The new entrance to the centre will face east. Along with the connecting walkway, adjoining both buildings north to south, the price tag for the project was pegged at $180,000 when council approved the report in November.
The new entrance to the facility, replacing the old one facing south, will be a “little bit easier to see,” said Axiak.
Four vehicle charging stations in the parking lot have already been installed, said Axiak.
The city seeks to “leverage partnerships as much as possible,” said Axiak, adding that the agreement between the city and Grand Canal is a prime example of that.
Grand Canal executive director Terri McBean said the residence is its own little community, but one that looks forward to branching out to the entire Welland community.
“Our residents are very excited,” she said about the exchange of programs that will grow once the two buildings are attached.
Darren Keay, director of recreation for the facility, said he’s “always amazed” by the amount of features the community centre has, when its footprint doesn’t appear to be that large from the outside.
He expects a name will be agreed on for the corridor once it’s open for use and said both sides are looking forward to lots of activity.
“I know we’re looking for more use in our walls — and coming out of the pandemic, they’re aiming for the exact same thing,” he said.
McBean said the residence is about 70 per cent full.
