April 28th Newsletter

Media Release

Welland artists invited to submit preliminary designs and plans for Rec Rentals @ the Docks mural

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2023

Welland, ON – The City of Welland’s Recreation, Sport, and Culture Division is seeking artists and artist collectives with exterior mural experience to submit preliminary designs and plans of execution for the outdoor painting of the Rec Rentals @ The Docks buildings. Applications are due May 26, 2023.

This project aims to artistically paint the two sea container buildings that house the Rec Rentals program in a theme that all visitors, park, and trail users can enjoy.

“This project is one that we can open up to the talented artistic community we know we have here in Welland,” said Erin Carl, supervisor of festivals and events. “Creating a vibrant canvas on these buildings generates a sense of pride and appreciation in public art and enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors to the area.”

The building’s exterior is corrugated metal with multiple access doors and roll-up garage-style doors.

The project would include an artistic painting on all surfaces of the buildings except for the metal roll-up garage doors. We are looking for a creative theme that celebrates the City of Welland and the connection of the trails, parks and waterway.

In addition, artists and artist collectives should provide pictures of previous outdoor works. One single commission will be awarded for the project.

The budget for the project is $8,000. In their submissions, artists must include costs associated with artist(s) fees, concept plan and expenses, materials (minus final protective coating), and any special materials or tools required to complete the project.

City of Welland Staff within the Community Services Department, with input from Advisory Committees, will review all submissions. The chosen artist(s) will be notified by June 12, 2023.

For more information, including full details on the project, artist expectations, selection criteria, and more, visit www.welland.ca/LicAppPermits.asp.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Erin Carl

Supervisor of Festivals and Events

905-735-1700 x4009

reva.pney@jryynaq.pn

Media Release

Ongoing Fire Department enforcement at 69 Southworth Street nets $12,500 in conviction

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2023

Welland, ON – Welland Fire and Emergency Services (WFES) has continued dealing with ongoing fire safety issues at 69 Southworth Street, City of Welland.

In January 2022, Fire Prevention Officers (FPOs) discovered that a retail/commercial building had unlawfully converted the commercial spaces into residential apartments. This occurred without obtaining building permits and completing the necessary compensating construction to make the units fire-safe. The units were also discovered without the proper working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Accordingly, the FPOs issued an inspection order pursuant to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA), ordering the property owner to cease using these units as apartments and obtain the necessary permits to lawfully and safely create these apartments. The inspection order provided a compliance date for the property owner to complete these instructions.

Following the compliance date on the order, the FPOs attended the property in September 2022 to inspect to verify compliance with the order. During the inspection, it was discovered the order needed to be complied with. As a result, the FPOs initiated a prosecution pursuant to the FPPA for failing to comply with an inspection order. On April 13, 2023, the property owner was convicted and fined $12,500, including court costs and fine victim surcharge in Provincial Offences Court. This fine is in addition to a conviction and fine of $5,000 registered against the property owner in August 2022 related to the Fire Code offences of missing or disabled smoke and carbon monoxide alarms discovered at the property during the initial inspection.

WFES is in consultation with the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) regarding the next steps to be taken at this property.

WFES would like to remind residents that compliance with the Fire Code is always mandatory. If a property owner or occupant receives an inspection order, it is mandatory to comply with the order before the compliance date. WFES wants to remind residents, particularly landlords, that Fire Code deficiencies will not be tolerated.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Adam Eckhart

Fire Chief/CEMC

905-735-1700 x2400

nqnz.rpxuneg@jryynaq.pn