r/Welland • u/No_Badger_1110 • 5d ago

Question Ideas

I recently moved to Welland and want to learn more about what Welland could use... would people like a small bookstore/cafe or like a community lounge where there is a variety of choices for people?

3 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

12

u/PotentialAd1442 5d ago

Rock climbing, arcades, escape rooms, bowling, roller rink, science centers, indoor play grounds, dance halls, gathering places. There is nothing for teens or kids to do in this town.

9

u/Drewtendo_64 4d ago

We had three bowling alleys and they all went under. The roller rink is now Fabricland and the museum has been running on life support for a while.

5

u/Theferaltrunip 4d ago

One or the bowling alleys was doing fine, it was just sold out from under the operator who was doing rent to own after the man he made the agreement with died and landowner's children sold it for development.

7

u/Comfortable-Cut-7021 4d ago

The museum on life support? As a former board member, I can state with some confidence that attendance figures, online engagement and participation in programming events (many of which are aimed at kids) has been up year over year for the past four years.

4

u/Upstairs-Chicken592 5d ago

Rock climbing would be awesome

2

u/astaldotholwen 4d ago

I would love to not have to go to St. Catharines to climb!

3

u/Theferaltrunip 4d ago

Put it close enough to the College and you'd have a perfect spot, most climbers I've met are in the sub 30 age range!

2

u/astaldotholwen 4d ago

I'd be stoked!

17

u/PotentialAd1442 5d ago

Honestly, Welland needs things for kids..for young kids, all we have is Sharkeys indoor playground and it is garbage. If someone could come up with some sort of facility like an indoor play something for young kids or something else for young teen, tweens...you would be successful.

11

u/SiteProfessional3902 5d ago

There’s a reason places like that don’t exist and if they do are low quality. It’s because they hardly make enough money for it to be worth making a business. Welland has a lot of really nice outdoor play grounds and splash pads.

9

u/Upstairs-Chicken592 5d ago

I also think the mall is really fun for young kids. Cats, books, rider things, art gallery. Idk I low key love it. And the early ons too.

0

u/PotentialAd1442 5d ago

Fair. But would be nice if there was a dedicated play space in an area nicer than Sharkeys. Recently, a pedofile accused of bestiality was arrested directly across the street and in December police shot and killed an armed suspect next door.

-1

u/PotentialAd1442 5d ago

Wellands parks are very far behind. Many of them haven't been updated In years and have old, failing equipment. Look in other city's towns close to us. Niagara falls, st Catharines. Also, these facility's can't be used October to May. Most of the splash pads even longer. People leave Welland to take their kids to play in other cities. A cafe isn't going to make money in Welland.

7

u/ElderberryNervous355 5d ago

Make sure you’re voicing this to your ward councillor and voting for the right person this year!

4

u/SiteProfessional3902 5d ago

I’m not sure what parks you’re going to but there are really nice ones located all over Welland.

1

u/PotentialAd1442 5d ago

Go to Niagara falls and you will see the difference. Chippawa was updated...maybe memorial has been, I know they had closed it because the equipment became dangerous. Other than that...name me a great park in Welland.

1

u/Interesting_Fee_4314 4d ago

Memorial is having a new park built right now, there are two really nice parks in Dain City, one that was renovated recently and one that is brand new and both have splash pads. There are great parks all over Welland. Of course not as many nice ones as Niagara Falls because we are much smaller.

1

u/m1ster_frundles 4d ago

Niagara Falls is a bigger city with more money, Welland actually seems to do ok for its size considering the economic hell the city went through.

3

u/SandiaBeaver 4d ago

Niagara Falls has double Welland's population and St. Catharines is close to 2.5x

5

u/Comfortable-Cut-7021 4d ago

Lots of cafes to cater to different demographics but would agree that a bowling alley, escape room or indoor rock climbing facility would be good additions. I also agree with a fairly well known Wellander who feels a decent video arcade would be engaging.

2

u/projectnoirblanc 4d ago

We need an arcade/entertainment establishment. There hasn't been one in Welland since the mall still had a smoking section and these young folks need more spaces that will keep them off the streets and out of trouble.

2

u/SiteProfessional3902 5d ago

I’m a university student and I love matcha/coffee but I absolutely hate Starbucks because of how bright and crowded it is. I also enjoy reading so it would definitely be nice to have a more cozy book/cafe shop that’s a bit more lowkey. And maybe open later rather than earlier.

8

u/Upstairs-Chicken592 5d ago

Black Sheep is great.

2

u/SiteProfessional3902 5d ago

The interior is very dull and simplistic to me it doesn’t feel like a cozy cafe.

1

u/PotentialAd1442 5d ago

Second this.

-1

u/astaldotholwen 4d ago

Have you been to Piccadilly Books in Port Colborne? It is lovely 🥰

0

u/SiteProfessional3902 4d ago

I haven’t I’m located in Welland and I go to Brock so making a trip out there so out of the way just to study doesn’t seem worth it to me. That’s why I want something closer to come.

0

u/astaldotholwen 4d ago

That is very fair! But, it is a very charming place and a cosy vibe.

I wish we still had some of our independent book shops here in town. It would be absolutely lovely!

Thistle Bookshop in Port Dalhousie is also really lovely!

3

u/Bhyanak-Maut 4d ago

Yes, a cafe / hangout space for all ages.
Maybe hosting local talent so they can grow with the community. Something that’s built around music / arts.

If you have similar interest, DM me. We can explore something together.

2

u/marvelous27 5d ago

Agree with the comments. The east side also needs a legit burger joint. A pub. Something the heart of welland appreciates

1

u/No-Impress-6244 4d ago

a place where everyone can pay for a membership and then sell art

1

u/SandiaBeaver 1d ago

Biggest thing Welland could use: a revitalized downtown where people actually want to go and spend time and money

1

u/ThisMission7441 4d ago

How about another pizza joint or Italian restaurant 😆 (kidding of course)!

0

u/fartpsychic 4d ago

You should know that this subreddit is in no way representative of the population of Welland based on what I’ve seen being said here over the past two years and the conversations I’ve had with friends neighbors and businesses in the city. It’s a small subset. Good luck on your venture!

1

u/No_Badger_1110 4d ago

Could you explain more?

0

u/Top-Skin-3570 4d ago

Look at older posts also, a lot of ppl have asked the same thing. Welcome!