Work continues in Wheatley, stemming from an explosion in the downtown core last summer.
Imagine Wheatley – A Land Use Plan for South Wheatley
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has initiated planning for new growth and development in areas of south Wheatley.
This project, Imagine Wheatley – A Land Use Plan for South Wheatley, will engage the community in creating a vision for new neighbourhoods in the community.
Wheatley is projected to be one of the fastest growing communities in Chatham-Kent over the next 30 years. Chatham-Kent is planning for Wheatley to grow by 500 new households and 1,300 new residents over this time.
As well as planning for new neighbourhoods for people to live, this plan will include places for businesses, employers, natural areas and public spaces.
A Public Information Centre will take place virtually using the Zoom platform on May 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. During this event, people will hear more about the plan and can share their vision for the project area. Anyone can sign up for this Public Information Centre at: www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/imagine-wheatley
Mayor Darrin Canniff said “the Imagine Wheatley project is a great opportunity for Wheatley. Wheatley is a wonderful community for people to live, work and play. More and more people are recognizing this and want to move here. The timing is even more significant now as the community continues its recovery from the devastating events of 2021. New neighbourhoods will add vitality to the entire community, including the downtown.”
Councillor Melissa Harrigan said “I encourage people who care about Wheatley to get involved in planning its future. There are meaningful opportunities to participate and help shape the outcome of the Imagine Wheatley plan.”
Councillor Mark Authier said “Imagine Wheatley is important for our growing community. Having a good plan today will make great neighbourhoods tomorrow.” –
For additional information or to sign up for regular updates, visit the Imagine Wheatley – A Land Use Plan for South Wheatley website.
An Additional $3.9 Million Secured to Support Wheatley Businesses, not-for-profits and Commercial Landlords
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has secured a further $3.9 million from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade to support the community of Wheatley after the explosion in August of last year, bringing the total amount secured to $5.9 million.
Downtown Wheatley business owners and co-chairs of the BIA Mike and Erika Renwick said, “we are pleased to see this additional Provincial funding distributed. We appreciate the on-going efforts of the Municipality’s Economic Development department in their communications surrounding the funding from the province. Our hope is that these additional funds will help to alleviate some of the continued financial hardships these businesses have endured and we look forward to the continued support of the province in regard to this.”
To date, $1.97 million has been distributed amongst 30 businesses, four not-for-profit organizations and 19 commercial properties over the last several months, helping provide much needed financial assistance while they are unable to operate.
“We’d like to thank the businesses of Wheatley for their patience, understanding, and tenacity during this difficult process. We’d also like to thank Premiere Ford and his team for their diligent efforts to get these funds released into our community,” said Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff. “This process has shown what can be accomplished when a fluid collaborative relationship is established between municipal and provincial government.”
The additional $3.9M is being distributed in three phases designed to assist the affected businesses with revenue losses up to August 2022, with the first disbursement taking place immediately to approved applicants.
“Our municipality has been focusing on doing everything we can to help the affected businesses of Wheatley. We’re thankful that the province of Ontario has been at the table working with us from day one and hopefully this additional $3.9 million will help the businesses during the time it takes to open their doors again,” said Stuart McFadden, Director of Economic Development Services.
Chatham-Kent Economic Development has been coordinating the process of fund disbursement to the displaced businesses and will continue to play a role providing affected businesses with up-to-date information, guidance, and support. For more updates on Wheatley, visit the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent’s Wheatley Update Page.
Preparations set to begin for plugging Tait Well in Wheatley
The next step in remediation of the Tait Well in the municipal parking lot will begin during the coming week.
The project team is planning to use downhole charges to perforate the well casing.
This is being performed in order to create holes in the casing in order for the cement to reach all areas of the well as part of the plugging operations.
These are industry standard procedures that are routinely, and safety used in the local oil and gas industry.
Any noise or vibration associated with the casing perforation is part of the site operations.
Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services will continue its on-site presence.
