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CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
New Wheatley plans pave path for a revitalized downtown
Officials released new plans on Saturday to breathe new life into Wheatley, almost four years after the explosion. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Nearly four years after an explosion rocked the community of Wheatley, officials are charting a course to turn the wreckage into a welcoming space. Residents gathered at the explosion site in the downtown core Saturday morning for the release of the new conceptual plans. 'This town rallied, it supported neighbours, it asked hard questions, it collaborated and above all, it never gave up on what could be,' Darrin Canniff, the Mayor of Chatham-Kent, told a crowd of more than 200 people. 070625 About 200 people walked the lot in downtown Wheatley, where an explosion levelled several buildings in 2021. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Dignitaries from all three levels of government and representatives from frontline stakeholders spoke on the lengthy recovery process needed to restore Wheatley. Moving forward, Canniff predicted the town would become the fastest-growing community in Chatham-Kent. 'We're here today to dream a dream of the future of Wheatley, of what it can be,' Canniff said. 'I believe in this community that five years, ten years from now, we will look back and say, wow, look at how amazing this community is.' On July 19, 2021, an emergency was declared in Wheatley following the detection of Hydrogen Sulfide gas. The following month, on Aug. 26, an explosion occurred at 15 Erie Street North and expanded the emergency evacuation zone. In 2024, following site demolition, a successful investigation, and the plugging of an uncovered well, municipal officials deemed the emergency order over. Developed by Fotenn Planning and Design, two conceptual plan options released on Saturday feature a heavy incorporation of green space, gardens and places for people to gather. The space would be anchored by the many small businesses that fill the downtown core. Howard Gabert, the chair of the Wheatley Task Force, told CTV News they are still working to decide the fate of existing infrastructure on the property. As of Saturday, a scrubbing system and an abandoned wellhead were still visible at the site. 'So, that's what the two designs are, one of them retains it on an above-ground structure for managing the scrubber system, while the other one has a design that doesn't incorporate all of that,' Gabert said. Last year, council approved the acquisition of buildings affected by the explosion, beginning the demolition process and paving the way forward for a streamlined process. Because of Wheatley's ties to the water and fishing, one design plans for a boat in the park's core. Gabert said the designs are heavily fuelled by community feedback they've received. 'I think what you see in the design is elements of appreciation for nature, you'll have systems that are going to integrate into the community and to be what we're referring to as Wheatley's backyard,' Gabert added. After a long road, Gabert said they are looking forward to moving past the 'tragic' event. With solidified funding from the province, Gabert said there's hope work can begin in the coming months while they continue to solidify the final design. -With files from CTV's Chris Campbell.
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
‘It would effectively destroy it': Chatham-Kent mayor urges Queen's Park to stop Dresden landfill reboot
Chatham Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff spoke before the Standing Committee on the Interior Thursday, urging MPPs to remove a section of Bill 5 (Source: Legislative Assembly of Ontario)
CTV News
13-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Chatham-Kent council backs $53 million CK Hub
Chatham-Kent Civic Centre is seen in this undated file photo (CTV News Windsor) Chatham-Kent has backed a $53 million CK Community Hub project to bring several services together under one roof in downtown Chatham. On Monday evening, Council voted 12-5 to approve the decision to begin the search for a builder of the development at 100 King Street, also known as the former Sears building. More than 150 people packed into the John D. Bradley Convention Centre to listen to discussion on the highly controversial build. Council spent four hours hearing from residents, asking questions of staff, and sharing their feelings on the monumental development. 'This is the most fiscally responsible thing to do, and we get the museum and the library moving forward for the next 50 years,' said Mayor Darrin Canniff. Those voting against the community hub were councillors Wright, Jubenville, Storey, Bondy and McDonald. Councillor Trevor Thompson recused himself from the matter. The proposal will see the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre, the Chatham branch of the municipal library, and the CK Museum all located in one building. Residents weigh-in Before striking a decision, council heard from 16 deputations with the majority voicing opposition to the community hub. The plan, which one resident labelled as the unneeded 'Taj Mahal' for Chatham-Kent, has been scrutinized for the cost, need, and purpose in a geographically spread-out community. Jim Brackett, the president of the Kent Federation of Agriculture (KFA), cast doubt on the project budget and supposed promises the cost would not rise. 'The KFA and others wonder if such a financial commitment, especially if it goes way beyond that, could not be better utilized for other infrastructure priorities such as roads, bridges, drainage, dust control,' Brackett said. Over the years, Brackett said, many developments have been built to 'revitalize' the downtown in a similar fashion as the community hub. He pleaded with council to maintain the current buildings, and divert the remaining funds to other infrastructure projects. 'There will never be enough money to meet the demands of a municipality of our size, but a true sign of leadership is the ability to focus on needs, not wants,' Brackett added. A petition to stop the community hub and renovate the civic centre has garnered more than 1,700 signatures as of Monday night. Former MPP for the region Rick Nicholls urged rural councillors to consider whether the proposal will serve their constituents' needs. 'You should know what the pressing items are in your wards, and I don't believe that it's a hub,' Nicholls said. The proposal The existing civic centre is outdated and lacking in flexibility and the ability to accommodate growth, according to a staff report. Under the development plans, the former Sears building would be expanded to provide 119,278 square feet across all facilities. Residents heard the price tag remains at $53 million, which includes property acquisition, design, construction and furniture. Staff also detailed $2 million has been spent on 'investigative' work for the community hub. According to the municipality, a cost-analysis estimated it would cost about $108 million to renovate the civic centre, expand the library and extend the museum all to the same standards as the proposed hub. 'All capital costs for the Chatham-Kent Community Hub project remain within the existing $53,000,000 approved budget, requiring no new property tax increases,' the staff report states. The municipality believes he consolidation of the three facilities will benefit a ballooning infrastructure repair deficit. Staff expect the contract would be awarded and the new Chatham-Kent Community Hub would be completed in 2027.
