What's Up, Welland?

Whatever factors bring newcomers into a community, they are sure to arrive with needs, questions, and uncertainties. Where do I go for groceries? Which school do I register the kids at? How do I find work? Although settling in a new place comes with challenges, those coming to the City of Welland can find helpful services and resources at the Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre. Jane...

What’s Up, Welland? is proud to celebrate the start of Pride Month with a return guest, a dear friend of the show, and founder and chair of Pride Niagara, Enzo De Divitiis. We have the privilege and pleasure of catching up with Enzo, finding out what’s in store for Pride festivities in Niagara, and, most importantly, continuing the conversation on being allies with the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Pride Mo...

A place for a picnic. A site for a stroll. An area for adventure. Parks serve many purposes, and that’s why you love them. So do we. And because you love, and we love, we are excited to kick off a new program this month called Love My Park. This engaging and interactive initiative connects City staff with residents in chosen parks for 2023, brainstorming how to bring some pep to the parks that cou...

They may have a new name. They may have developed an expansive new story and mission to guide their future. But their capacity to care is unwavering and their programs and services remain the same. In fact, like their namesake trees, they’re growing and flexibly adapting to support the needs of our community. Formerly Women’s Place of South Niagara, Birchway Niagara is still an ever-present, easil...

Feel that grr in your belly? Maybe it’s a little rumble, or perhaps it’s a thunderous roar. For many, when we feel it, we conveniently grab a snack and go, quieting the boil to a soft simmer. We may not even consider how easy it is to satisfy that need. But, for the growing number of people who face food insecurity challenges, calming those hunger pangs is a different story entirely.  In Welland,...

The sun is shining, warmer weather is finally here, and the winter doldrums are lifting.   But what if they're not? What if there's a deeper reason those heavier thoughts have yet to rise with the spring sun? What if something else transpires when our kids don't feel like themselves?   For parents, guardians, and caregivers unsure where to go or who to turn to for support with child...

After 60 years (and counting), the Niagara Children’s Centre knows a thing or two, or three, or, well, many about helping children and youth be their best. Through its core services of speech and language, physical, and occupational therapy, the Centre is a beacon of hope and support for families and caregivers throughout Niagara and right here in Welland. Indeed, Niagara Children’s Centre’s reput...

Ward 1 Councillor Adam Moote accepted the call out from a constituent to join us for a casual conversation. Discussing his ideas for supporting a growing and diversifying Welland, Councillor Moote shares insight into decision-making that’s about the net benefit of the entire community, and not just his ward.    Join us as we learn about Councillor Moote’s committee involvement and why he ran for a...

Earth Week is the ideal time to sort through the specifics of how waste and recyclable items collected at the curb are handled. Sherri Tait, manager of policy and planning for Niagara Region waste management services, is here to tell us more about this important service, how it will change throughout 2023 and beyond, and where your waste item questions can be answered. Hint, it’s right here: Dispo...

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and yes, the grass is growing. But as those tiny green blades quickly grow this spring, our team in the Bylaw department wanted to remind our residents what they need to be mindful of when it comes to home maintenance.  Ali Khan and James Cronshaw are back with us in this episode to chat about tall grass, bylaws, and how we can keep our city beautiful. ...

Guest-less for the first time in a while, Marc and Paul look ahead at what's coming down the pipeline regarding guests and what's been happening in the City lately. Spoiler alert: there's a lot of awesome. You can catch all past episodes and leave us comments at www.welland.ca/podcast/

How does a municipality poised for unprecedented growth and change step confidently toward its promising future? Well, getting strategic about identifying priorities and determining the plan is exactly what Welland City Council is doing.  One of the hands guiding this process is today's guest Rob Axiak, director of community services. With plans unfolding, opportunities for community educatio...

When it comes to life safety, simple messages save lives. When it comes to messages that stick, clever creativity cuts through the white noise and catches people’s attention. Someone who knows how to take straightforward information and share it in a memorable way is Michael Atkins, fire prevention officer with Welland Fire and Emergency Services. Having fun with fire safety messages doesn’t dimin...

Food insecurity, access to affordable housing, not having enough to meet your basic needs. What do individuals and families do when faced with these challenges? If you live in #WellandON, you don’t lose hope because The Hope Centre is ready to meet your needs with compassion. Serving the Welland community for more than 50 years, Hope Centre staff and volunteers support, empower, and advocate for t...

There's a lot of buzz regarding Welland's proposed brand coming to Council for approval on March 21. And who better to walk us through the process than a few of the very talented and thoughtful team members from Cinnamon Toast New Media Inc. (aka masters of place branding).  On today's episode, Bronwyn Mondoux and Bev Hyatt share their thoughts, insights, and excitement about the wo...

To say this is an appreciation podcast would be disingenuine because  it's so much more than that. Simply put, appreciation just isn't a big enough word. Here at the City of #WellandON , we have bottomless talent, unlimited creativity, infinite determination, and unending skill. To celebrate that today, International Women's Day, is an honour. This year's #IWD2023 theme is #Emb...

Ward 2 Councillor David McLeod joins us today to talk all things Ward 2 and the city overall. As one of two ward councillors, but a city councillor overall, Councillor McLeod shares how he balances his approach and presents options and opportunities that benefit the community as whole. Join us as Councillor McLeod takes us through life as a councillor and whether or not he views himself as a typic...

When a building suffers a structural failure, speculation about why it happens ramps up. We've seen this happen recently in Welland, and there are many questions floating around the community and online. And though we cannot answer them yet - the Ministry of Labour is conducting an investigation to determine the cause - we can discuss the City's role in the building and inspection proces...

Communities face hardships. They can come in many forms. Thankfully, in Welland, we have an organization like Open Arms Mission, a volunteer-driven organization meeting the needs of our community. What started as a small food bank in the late 1980s has become so much more.  Let's embrace this episode with open arms and jump into learning more about OAM's services and involvement in the C...

It's that time of year to talk summer camps - even though it's February. Contradictory to an extent, we suppose, but more than summer camps, we're talking about getting active in the City of Welland and the inside scoop about how to get your spot reserved. So, we've invited Laura Chatterton, recreation coordinator, to give us the scuttlebutt on everything coming down the recrea...

When a community faces a crisis or disaster, who’re you gonna call?  If you’re living in any of Niagara’s municipalities, you can count on the Region’s Community Emergency Response Team to show up ready to support. This group of swift-acting, certified staff and volunteers is affectionately known as CERT. Emergency supplies need distributing – they’re on it. Sharing relief efforts post-disaster –...

When we need something in our personal lives, we go out and buy it. Maybe we buy the cheapest option, perhaps the most expensive; it's up to us. For a municipality, purchasing doesn't quite work that way; there's a process. Join us as we chat with Adam Beres, manager of fleet, purchasing, and equipment to learn how tax dollars are spent on projects and what the RFP process is all ab...

The City of Welland is launching a pilot emergency homeless shelter operated on the City’s behalf by the Hope Centre at the Welland Tennis Club during February and March. Needless to say, this has brought about many questions. Here to answer them is Councillor Bonnie Fokkens, one of two Councillors who brought forward a notice of motion to get the pilot project underway. You can catch all past epi...

You know how they say you can't complain if you don't vote? Well, to some extent, the same could be said for not participating in municipal committees.  Of course, it's not quite that black and white, but as you'll hear from City Clerk Tara Stephens in this episode, joining a committee offers residents an opportunity to offer advice and suggestions, and shape their city.  You c...

All municipalities are in a fight for seasonal recruitment, and Welland is no different. Except for the fact that it is. Contradicting statement? Yes. The rationale for the statement, well, you'll just have to listen to what HR Coordinator Brooke Iannuzzelli has to say about this year's seasonal recruitment campaign and why the City of Welland should be your preferred choice of employer....