Welland Summer Day Camp

Welland Summer Day Camp has been operating for more than 40 years and it’s still going strong. In 2023, all 900 spots were filled, and 400 kids were placed on the waitlist.

Welland Sportz Camp

Welland Sportz Camp’s inaugural year was hosted at the Empire Sportsplex. The facility’s multi-sport design allowed campers to learn various athletic skills in a fun, cooperative, and supportive recreational environment.

• 67 campers registered in the first year

Recreation Canal Safety Plan

Introduced in 2023, the Recreational Canal Safety Plan was designed to provide a framework for managing safety risks associated with recreational activities associated with the recreational canal. This waterway is the plan’s predominant focus because it is Welland’s most actively promoted destination for recreational activities and events.

Key components of the plan focused on:

• Safety talks in elementary school classrooms and summer camps to promote safe water practices
• Lifejacket loaner program
• Safe swim zones
• Seasonal messaging about water safety

Parks

In June 2023, Love My Park launched in six parks across all Welland’s wards, capturing the ideas and imagination of neighbourhoods throughout the city.

• Ward 1 - Bridlewood Park
• Ward 2 - Glen Park
• Ward 3 - Hooker Street Park
• Ward 4 - Gram Park
• Ward 5 - Bemus Park
• Ward 6 - Seaway Park

The department’s director, managers, supervisors, co-ordinators, and camp staff attended the engagement sessions held at each park. These evenings were filled with play, music, and conversations. Camp staff entertained children and gathered their ideas while others spoke with the adults. Some friendly competition was also enjoyed when neighbours and staff played cornhole, Kan Jam, and axe throwing.

After the engagement sessions, lists of the short-, medium-, and long-term goals for each park were created. It was decided that a Love My Park engagement session would occur every two years, allowing staff to complete the short- and medium-term goals. Through these sessions, the need to implement a park sign strategy was realized, and that work has begun with the Communications department.

The cultivation of strong partnerships and the facilitation of business growth is at the forefront of our economic strategy. Positioned strategically within the thriving Niagara Region and boasting excellent transportation infrastructure, Welland emerges as a premier destination for manufacturing and supply chain operations. With a proactive development approach and shovel-ready land available, Welland presents an ideal environment for businesses seeking to establish or enhance their presence, solidifying its reputation as a leading hub for manufacturing growth and innovation

Welland Public Library

The Welland Public Library remained committed to providing the community with an exceptional variety of resources, services, activities, and experiences at its three branch locations. Using the Valuing Libraries Toolkit provided by the Ontario Library Service, it’s estimated that for every dollar invested into the Welland Public Library, $5.94 in community socio-economic impact is generated – an impressive return of 594 per cent.

In-person visits rose by more than 27 per cent in 2023, and overall materials usage increased by 7.32 per cent, as compared to 2022. Program offerings and attendance surpassed pre-pandemic levels with 33,777 people attending 1,637 activities.

The Library also focused on strengthening community supports through the introduction of a reading buddies program, non-perishable food pantry, and a tablet lending program. Non-traditional collections also expanded to meet the needs of residents and included new board games, puzzles, toys, Wonderbooks, technology, and musical instruments.

2023 marked the tenth year of operation for the Diamond Trail Branch. Preparations to celebrate the Welland Public Library's 200th year of operation in Welland, happening in 2024, also began.

Welland Museum

The Welland Museum is committed to providing residents and visitors with a relevant, fun, and engaging experience. Through interactive exhibits and programs, everyone has the opportunity to learn about our diverse and dynamic city.

In 2023, the Welland Museum launched its new strategic plan and mandate with a focus on the visitor experience. We remain focused on delving into Welland’s unique history while also showcasing Canadian heritage as a whole.

This was also a year of celebration for the Museum; we commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Carnegie Building in Welland. Our community events, including a Roaring ‘20s Fun Fair and a 1920s Soirée, were great successes and we thank the community for supporting these events.

We created Messy @ the Museum, a weekly program for children with a focus on STEAM activities, and we also began offering two weeks of summer camp. We held several sessions for adults, including a book talk with local author William Thomas. We connected with seniors by presenting to retirement groups and senior residents. We also attended Celebration of Nations again. We connected with the District School Board of Niagara at its Heritage Fair and its Parent Involvement Conference. Finally, we shared a pop-up exhibit with the Legislative Assembly of Ontario featuring Morty the Mastodon.

Thank you to our Museum members and visitors for providing us with the opportunity to explore Welland’s rich heritage together.