Parks, Facilities, Recreation & Cultural Services
Arts & Culture Advisory Committee Awards nomination form
Summary of Parks, Recreation and Culture plan
(Vision 2025)
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:
- Murals
- Community Pools
- Welland Public Library
- Welland Court House
- South Niagara Rowing Club & Rowing Course
- Welland Historical Museum
- Farmers' Market
- Niagara Regional Exhibition & Fairgrounds
- The Sports Complex
- Welland Arenas/Ice Rinks
- Niagara Motorcycle Raceway
- Welland Canal Memorial Monument
Murals
Self guided tours of the 28 murals located throughout the City are another of the City’s hidden treasures. For more information, contact Parks, Facilities, Recreation and Cultural Services at 905.735.1700 ext 2318.
Community Pools are free!
Labour Day is the last day of Swim Season for 2010. Pools will re-open mid June 2011. Looking for a place to cool off, try the City pools for free public swims. The City of Welland has three outdoor pools for your enjoyment whether you are a resident or a visitor to the City!Maple Pool on South Pelham 905.732.3040
St. George Pool on St. George Street 905.732.9776
Memorial Pools on Memorial Park Drive 905.732.0684
Welland Public Library
The Welland Public Library is located at 50 The Boardwalk, with a branch in the North West section of the city on South Pelham. The Welland Public Library is committed to supporting and enriching the educational, informational, cultural and recreational interests of the citizens of Welland with quality library services. The Library has been in existence since 1825 and is the storehouse for lots of information on the City of Welland. The collection goes far beyond books and visitors are able to access information on genealogy, canal pictures, canal clippings, interactive learning, historic buildings, canal bibliography, and more. 905.734.6210.
Welland Court House
With recently completed renovations, the Courthouse is located in the historic downtown core of the City, this facility is now a state of the art facility set for the new millennium. With items archived from the past, a museum has been set up on the second floor for the public to view. For further information call 905.735.1700.
South Niagara Rowing Club & Rowing Course
In 1976, a small group of interested citizens from the cities of Welland and Port Colborne in the Region of Niagara embarked on establishing the South Niagara Rowing Club. The South Niagara Rowing Club was established along the banks of the Old Welland Canal, which was no longer being used for shipping. The area had the potential of being a wonderful rowing facility and great race course due to the high banks, which shelters the waterway from wind. Since its beginnings the "Great Dain" Rowing Course has been privileged to host many regattas, such as the Ontario Rowing Championships, the Canadian Masters Rowing Championships, as well as the Inaugural Regatta of the Americas. The South Niagara Rowing Club has also been the site for many Canadian National Rowing Teams Training Camps and Trials, as well as National Team Crews from Great Britain, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand. Boathouse: 905.734.7815.
Welland Historical Museum
Current displays at the Museum include a history of the industrial development of the City of Welland. A permanent display of the history of the Welland Canals and their impact on the City is featured. Did you know there have been four canals including the current canal?The Welland Historical Museum is a great place to bring the kids! While at the museum make sure to stop by the Just 4 Kids gallery – a special section where children are encouraged to participate in interactive play. Everything in the children’s museum is a hands-on experience!
The Museum is open to the public Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed Monday and Tuesday and is located at 140 King Street. Call the Welland Historical Museum for more information at 905.732.2215.
Farmers’ Market
The Welland Farmers' Market has been centrally located on the present site since 1907. The Market Building was constructed in 1923. The City of Welland Farmer’s Market located in the historical downtown core of the City offers families an opportunity to savour the tastes of fresh veggies, fruits, meats, cheeses and homemade breads! Activities occur throughout the year at the market with events, and other community concerts as a part of the regular market schedule. The market features 45 to 60 vendors in peak season with fresh produce supplied by our local farmers. In addition the market provides the buyer with the opportunity to purchase meat, cheese, dairy and fresh baked goods. Specialty items include Ontario-made candies, craft items, preserves and limited organic products! Come for the freshness and stay for the fun at the Welland Farmers’ Market!Full Market Year-round, Saturdays, 6:00 AM to 12 Noon.
For rental information call 905.735.1700
Direct Market Days line at 905.788.9851
Niagara Regional Exhibition & Fairgrounds
Owned and operated by the Niagara Regional Agricultural Society this facility is home to many events and activities throughout the year. In 2003 the NRE celebrated its’ 150th year as Niagara South’s largest fall fair. The Welland Indoor Tennis Club moves into the main fairgrounds building for the fall/winter months and many events take place on the grounds such as the Help A Child Smile Rodeo and the Last Chance Car Show. The annual fall fair is traditionally on the second weekend of September and brings farm people, produce and displays from the Niagara agri-tourism industry and farming businesses in Niagara. 905.735.6413.
The Sports Complex
The Sports Complex is a state of the art baseball stadium with seating for 3,000 spectators and a ball field that meets the requirements for major league play. The stadium is further enhanced by other amenities which baseball players and fans would expect, ample parking and two softball diamonds, available for professional and amateur play. 905.735.1700 ext. 2205.
Welland Arenas / Ice Rinks
The City has two arenas, located at 501 King Street, that operate year round with a variety of sports, recreation and specials events. The arenas operate with ice mid-August to late April with a full slate of ice-related organizations including Jr. B Hockey, Welland Minor Hockey Association and the Welland Skating Club. During summer months the arenas host a number of sports including roller hockey, minor lacrosse, junior and senior lacrosse, roller hockey and ball hockey. Special events such as wrestling and boxing matches, concerts, circuses, conventions, trade shows and community events also take place in this venue.Within the arena there is a community room, many groups use the facility for meetings and private parties. Contact: 905.735.1700 ext. 2205.
Arena Rink Board advertising call 905-735-1700 ext. 2315
Niagara Motorcycle Raceway
The Welland County Motorcycle Club (WCMC) is a not-for-profit organization which was formed years ago by motorcycle enthusiasts to promote motorcycling. Currently, the Club holds many rides; poker runs and other events open to any one who is interested in participating. The Club has approximately 110 members and holds weekly meetings at its Clubhouse every Wednesday evening. Guests are welcome and may apply for Club membership at the meetings. The WCMC owns and operates the Niagara Motorcycle Raceway, Canada's most prestigious 1/4 mile oval dirt race track. The track is specifically designed and built for motorcycle racing, and features thrilling Dirt Track, Speedway, ATV and Youth Class racing every Saturday night from mid June to the end of July. The Welland County Motorcycle Club's 23 acre property is located near the south-east corner of Welland, Ontario, Canada; an easy 15 to 20 minutes ride from Niagara Falls, and the border at Buffalo, New York.
Welland Canal Memorial Monument
The Welland Canal Memorial monument was built to commemorate the hard working people from Canada and around the world who came to the Niagara Peninsula to build this waterway known as the Welland Canal. The Millennium Bureau of Canada gave us a grant of $76,000 for this Millennium project. The balance of $191,000 came from the generous and caring people of our community.The monument will serve as a lasting tribute to the citizens of the community. It will remind us of the importance of multiculturalism to Welland's development in the past, present and future. Industries, business professionals, and citizens have prospered here in Welland and the Niagara Peninsula because of the efforts of the people who built the canal. Some lost their lives digging with picks and shovels, many left their families in their homelands who came to Canada in search of work.
Due to the generosity of the people in our community, the monument is completed. In September of 2002, the unveiling of the bronze boy at the back of the fountain overlooking the canal was done. Also three bronze plaques with donor's names were placed north of the fountain. We continued to sell bricks. We will be installing more bricks to the memorial pathway this spring. More lightening will be added this summer to enhance the boy and the donor plaques. Seeing one's name engraved on a brick and placed on the historical pathway has created such great enthusiasm and community spirit has others wanting to follow in their path.
None of this would have been possible without the renowned artist and sculptor, Bas Degroot who designed the fountain and bronze statues. Due to his untimely death, he was unable to see it come to fruition. This monument is his lasting legacy to the citizens of Welland and the surrounding area. Mylinda and Bill Jurgenson completed the five bronze statues. Special thanks go to the city workers who came forth after the death of the artist and volunteered their time and city equipment to help us get started. Welland Hydro created a unique and spectacular light show to highlight this work of art.
We wish to acknowledge and thank the Millennium Bureau of Canada, the City of Welland, the City workers and Welland Hydro for all their support with this project. Special recognition must go to the citizens of Welland and the surrounding area for their encouragement and support. This labour of love would not have been possible without everyone's support. 905-732-5337
Bricks are still available, for more information please call the Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre at 905-732-5337.
© 2010 The Corporation of The City of Welland
60 East Main Street, Welland, Ontario L3B 3X4 (905) 735-1700
Business Hours - Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm