News

Sports Tourism is growing in Niagara - specifically in Welland! The City of Welland and the Welland Recreational Canal Corporation have been hard at work planning venue upgrades at the Welland International Flatwater Centre, and the last approval from Welland City Council has been granted, making way for construction to begin this month. The multi-million dollar improvements will make this well known national flatwater asset a premier flatwater sport destination for international events and world championships as well as an impressive regional and community facility. Council has awarded the tender for the project to Elite Construction Inc., as the general contractor for the WIFC and the related improvements. Elite came in with the lowest bid of three for the centre that will host the Canoe/Kayak Sprint for the Toronto PanAm Games in 2015. The Canal Corporation has been working closely with canoe, kayak, dragon boat, swimming, triathlon, canoe polo, and rowing associations from the international level through community level to maximize the positive impacts from the build for years to come.

Welland's partnership with Toronto 2015, and the hosting of the Pan American Games in Canada, is the catalyst for these impressive improvements and the support of the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario is paramount to their success.

Construction will begin this month with the project slated to be completed this coming summer in time for 2013 commitments including the 2013 ICF Junior & Under 23 Canoe Spring World Championships, August 1-4 where over 1,200 athletes from 55 countries are expected and 2013 Master's National Rowing Championships.