SPECIAL PROJECTS

Niagara Falls FIREMEN’s Park

New Amphitheatre at Firemen’s Park Officially Opens

The newly improved amphitheatre area at Firemen’s Park in Niagara Falls officially opened in August of 2021. Upgrades include an enhanced design allowing for a smooth flow of people for outdoor events, and 400 tons of armour stone providing natural, landscaped seating for more than 600 people. The natural setting, park space and surroundings played a big role in the detailed design of the park, and the new renovation includes improved drainage of the site. Park improvements will continue with plans for a new digital sign, entrance feature and upper parking lot improvements. Mayor Jim Diodati said the city has been eyeing improvements at the park since it purchased the property in 2014 from Members of the Stamford Centre Volunteer Firemen’s Association (SCVFA), who served as stewards of the park for generations before the city purchased it. The work, worth close to $300,000 and including drainage improvements, is the latest major investment by the city in the massive park sprawling over more than 100 acres atop the Niagara Escarpment at the corner of Mountain and Dorchester roads. Mayor Jim Diodati said the city has committed upwards of $3 million to the park so far, from a new dog park and playground to the amphitheatre improvements.

scvfa.ca/wp

Niagara District Airport

Niagara Municipalities Seek Operator to Support Growth of Airport

The Niagara District Airport Commission (NDAC) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to source a third-party operator for the Niagara District Airport. “The Niagara District Airport continues to be a valuable asset to the transportation and tourism infrastructure of Niagara,” stated Robin Garrett, Chair of the Niagara District Airport Commission. “To continue to grow the facility, and better support our communities, we are moving forward with a process to identify a partner who shares the same vision for Niagara: a thriving, international tourism hub, where quality of life is enhanced by expanding our connectivity within Canada and beyond.” Currently operated by the NDAC, which includes the City of St. Catharines, the City of Niagara Falls, and the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. “The operation of a healthy, growing and fully-supported airport is a crucial aspect of a transportation and development plan for any city or region,” Garrett added. “We are thankful that Niagara boasts an airport that has been supported for 92 years; however, for it to fully reach its potential, and for the region to leverage it, we need a partner to direct the operations and manage the investment in the facility.” The partner would facilitate increased infrastructure investments, demonstrate the willingness to strategically grow targeted route development, and shape the airport’s role in connecting with community partners.

niagaradistrictairport.com

South Niagara General Hospital

Ontario Accepting Proposals to Build the New South Niagara Hospital

The Ontario government is continuing to support the development of a new state-of-the-art hospital for patients and families in Niagara Falls. Once complete, the new hospital will add more hospital beds and bring together acute care services, improving access to high-quality health care and making it easier for patients to receive the care they need closer to home. With the Ontario government’s support, Infrastructure Ontario and Niagara Health have invited teams to respond to a request for proposals to design, build, finance and maintain the new South Niagara Hospital. To meet growing demand in the region, the new hospital is planned to have 469 beds, which is 156 more beds than the combined total number of beds at Niagara Health’s Port Colborne, Fort Erie and Niagara Falls campuses. Niagara Health will continue to operate the existing facility in St. Catharines, which was opened in 2013, along with the Welland campus. For more information, read the full press release here

Niagara Health

NIAGARA FALLS FIRE STATION 7

Niagara Falls Celebrates New Fire Station

The City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls Fire Department celebrated the official opening of the City’s newest Fire Station! Located at 8530 Lundy’s Lane, Station 7 is located in the City’s west end. The new station extends the fire department’s service with prompt response times to an area that continues to see growth. The project cost $7.2 million, which includes a fully equipped pumper truck, funded completely through development charges, which are fees collected from developers to help pay for the cost of infrastructure required to service new development. The station was designed by Whiteline Architects and built by Bromac Construction. Construction began in November 2019. The more than 1,115-square-metre building features modern design elements, the latest technology and is fully accessible to accommodate a diverse and inclusive department. The station will be staffed by four firefighters and three fire prevention officers per shift. The city’s primary emergency operations centre is also at the new station. It provides centralized direction and co-ordination of emergency response and recovery operations when responding to a serious emergency.

niagarafalls.ca

Niagara Falls Transit Station

Council adopted a zoning amendment to implement the policies of the Transit Station Area Secondary Plan (OPA No.125) approved in 2018. The policies of the secondary plan support transit supportive development and the creation of walkable neighbourhoods with a mix of uses, a range of housing choices and new employment opportunities

Adoption of the amendment will help accommodate the long term redevelopment of the Downtown area in anticipation of increased GO Rail service and ridership.