Post-blast Wheatley develops model for smalltown revitalization

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Editor’s note: This is Part 3 in the Chatham Daily News contributions to Postmedia News’ five-week  “How Canada Wins” series.

CHATHAM-KENT — Mere steps from the site of immense shock and devastation nearly four short years ago, a lone evergreen serves as a symbol of rebirth.

Wheatley has persevered in the face of uncertainty. And while some questions still remain, the future is now brighter, say those involved in the community’s ongoing recovery.

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Those efforts have also allowed the small Lake Erie community southwest of Chatham to set an example of smalltown revitalization.

“It’s been a whirlwind. But such a positive one,” said Kyra Knapp, Chatham-Kent’s economic developer for Wheatley.

This week marks her one-year anniversary in her two-year, provincially funded role.

The Aug. 26, 2021, blast, linked to toxic hydrogen sulphide seeping through the ground, destroyed two downtown buildings, damaged others and injured 20 people.

It also displaced residents and shuttered businesses, leaving many people unsure of their future.

Last fall, Chatham-Kent officially ended Wheatley’s emergency order.

In late September, the municipality announced a wooden-cased petroleum well was found underneath the cement floor at the site of 17 Talbot St. E.

Following the discovery, drilling, re-casing and cementing of the abandoned well, the monitoring well had entirely stopped venting gas.

Since then, no gas signatures have been detected on the monitoring well or previously abandoned water wells on the site, suggesting the issue may have been resolved.

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“I don’t want to speak for everybody, but there was a big breath of relief once we were able to locate the well,” Knapp said.

The public has had the chance to participate in numerous consultations, with more still to come. Knapp credited the work of the Wheatley Task Force throughout the process.

“I think the community is really starting to see that momentum and it’s been a really positive experience,” she said.

As for next steps, a secondary plan has been completed and amendments to the municipality’s official plan were submitted, Knapp said.

“Now it’s up to developers to move through the development process. From a municipal perspective, that’s well on its way,” she said, stressing that without the community’s involvement, those plans would sit on a shelf.

“They’d love to see programmed public spaces, a good mix of residential and commercial in the uptown, when that development happens,” Knapp said.

“A vibrant downtown that’s walkable. Active transportation. Community safety’s really important … places where people can go and spend time, shop at the stores and eat at the restaurants, bring their families there.”

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As for what lessons other communities can take from Wheatley, Knapp said it all comes down to the people.

“I think community engagement is really key to that. Your residents are your best activists. Having an engaged community population that knows what’s going on, that’s kept updated, asked their opinion … that’s really a trend in economic development,” she said.

“Seeing how people live, work and play in a space is so important to look at it holistically. What you want to see your community growing into in the future is really relevant.”

Concept plans will be unveiled a large community celebration on June 7, Knapp said, with further details to come.

Given its waterfront, location and vitality, Wheatley can capitalize on its potential, West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson said.

“Even with the explosion, Wheatley is still predicted to be one of the No. 1 growth areas in Chatham-Kent,” she said. “Which as someone who lives in this community, I’m really proud of. And it’s not even just residentially, but commercially and business-wise, too.”

Although it is a year-round community, many amenities, such as the lake, parks and camping, are seasonal in nature, resulting in an influx in visitors.

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The waterfront itself is a wealth of potential, Anderson believes.

“We have this unique opportunity now as we rebuild … to really cater to the types of residents that we serve around here,” she said.

“To really hone in, and get it specific, and get it right.”

Anderson cited Leamington as a strong example of a community that invests in its assets.

This in turn attracts more tourists and businesses to the area.

“They built a new arena. They’ve invested millions and millions of dollars into their waterfront that their community can enjoy,” she said. “And people come from far and wide to do that.

“Not only is that great for businesses, it’s also great for rentals. Rentals is also seasonal, but we have thousands and thousands of people that come here because of the provincial park and because of Point Pelee, with the birders, fishermen, and all these people need somewhere to stay.”

Sponsorships could help offset some costs, which Anderson believes Chatham-Kent should explore.

With the gift of a “blank slate,” she said the rebuilding can now include the needs of all generations.

“Obviously, it’s devastating that we had the explosion and we’ve lost so much because of it, but I think in the end we actually are going to gain so, so much,” she said.

“I think it will turn into just such a positive story, not forgetting that it came out of a very tragic event.”

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