The project carries a price tag of $41,7000 and will be carried out by PMA Brethour. It includes focus groups, homeowner surveys, , market surveys and one-on-one discussions with home builders and developers. The firm will also compare Niagara to other competitors, factoring in pricing, property taxes, development charges, and bylaw restrictions.
There has been a significant housing boom within the Region, but there is also a growing interest coming from the industrial and commercial sectors. To capitalize on all of the new residents, 2,500 homeowner surveys have been sent out in an effort to gather data on what draws people to Niagara.
Surveys are also being sent out to builders and developers. The Region wants to know why they chose to operate in Niagara and also what is and is not working for them. Builders not currently building in the area are also being asked these questions.
“It’s really good to know why you’re being successful and what matters to people, so we can promote those elements that really make sense,” Alan Caslin said. “We’ve got a drive on now to try and increase the growth in Niagara and this is just part and parcel of what we’re trying to do. This gives us the how to get it done.”
You can take the homeowner survey here.
]]>This Summer, Bissell’s will have four fantastic concert events planned that will benefit four local charities.
The summer kicks off on June 19th with Elvis, Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly backed by the Roy. L Tribute Band. This show is headlined by World renowned Elvis Tribute Roy LeBlanc who is a 2 time champion at the Collingwood Elvis Festival and he was the first Canadian to ever be named The World’s Finest Elvis at the annual convention and competition in Las Vegas. Just back from his 7 week tour in Australia we are excited for this evening of nostalgic Rock n’roll.
Bissell’s will host the first annual Niagara Reggae Festival on July 9. A full day of fantastic Reggae inspired bands will start at noon and continue until 11pm. The entertainment will boast headliner Ill Scarlett with 8 other award winning and local bands. Vendors will be on site and local beer and wine companies will also be on hand.
August 13 more of Music’s Greatest Icons will rock the park as Rod Stewart and Bryan Adams tribute’s take to our stage. Doug Varty is North America’s most sought after tribute to Rod Stewart and travels the globe with his incredible likeness to this high energy performer. From Maggie Mae to those Hot Leggs you won’t want to miss this night of hit songs.
Bissell’s wraps up the summer of sizzling hot concerts by going country. The Kings and Queens of Country show will be jammed full of memorable tunes from Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn and the always amazing Johnny Cash. This acclaimed show has just recently finished a tour through Texas and will also feature Amberly Beatty who is considered one of North America’s Top Tributes to Patsy Cline. Don’t miss it on September 3.
A quick shoutout to Rinaldi Homes for being one of the many generous sponsors.
In September 2015 GE Power announced plans to move the manufacturing location of Waukesha brand gas engines to a new facility in Canada as a result of the lapse of charter for the US export credit agency – the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im).
GE will build its new “brilliant” facility in Canada to access support from the country’s export credit agency, Export Development Canada (EDC). The agency has a strong record of export financing. GE has a solid, long-standing relationship with EDC under which the company has participated in a number of global transactions. EDC joins a growing list of export credit agencies interested in supporting GE’s global business operations and customer base.
GE’s Distributed Power business is a leading provider of engines, power equipment and services focused on power generation and gas compression at or near the point of use. Distributed Power offers a diverse product portfolio that includes highly efficient, fuel- flexible, industrial gas engines generating 200 kW to 10 MW each of power for numerous industries globally. In addition, the business provides life cycle support for more than 36,000 gas engines worldwide to help you meet your business challenges and success metrics – anywhere and anytime.
“Welland welcomes today’s announcement and anticipates working closely with GE as they begin construction of their new facility in our city. Welland sees GE’s announcement as a direct result of the innovation and flexibility outlined in our 2013 Manufacturing Attraction Strategy, and the Welland/Niagara Region’s Gateway Incentive Program. We are excited about the employment and business opportunities GE’s announcement will create for Welland residents,” said the Mayor of Welland, Frank Campion.
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The schedule has been finalized and is as follows:
Game 1: Thursday, May 5th @ 7:00pm in London
Game 2: Saturday, May 7th @ 7:00pm in London
Game 3: Monday, May 9th @ 7:00pm in Niagara
Game 4: Wednesday, May 11th @ 7:00pm in Niagara
Game 5: Friday, May 13th @ 7:30pm in London (If Necessary)
Game 6: Sunday, May 15th @ 2:00pm in Niagara (If Necessary)
Game 7: Monday, May 17th @ 7:00pm in London (If Necessary)
The hype surrounding the Niagara IceDogs and their 2016 playoff run continues. In fact, 17 minutes after going on sale OHL Final tickets for games three and four at the Meridian Centre sold out! It’s definitely a record for the IceDogs franchise that moved to Niagara in 2007.
IceDogs fans continue to demonstrate why they’re the best fans in junior hockey.
]]>Dr. Joey is a sought after speaker, inspiring, entertaining and educating large audiences in Canada and the US and recently spoke at White Oaks’ First Annual Health and Wellness Fair. Her warm and approachable style of delivery empowers people with simple steps to take back the reigns of their health and live their best life. With a focus on the development of wellness in the workplace, Dr. Joey’s recent clients include the likes of Nike, The National Post, Research in Motion, Cadbury, Loblaws, Longos and Nesbitt Burns.
Dr. Joey has authored four books which include:
As the media’s “go-to” on health and wellness, Dr. Shulman has been called upon to make hundreds of radio and television appearances throughout Canada and the US. In addition to being one of Cityline’s health and wellness experts, she has frequently appeared on Entertainment Tonight Canada, Breakfast Television, Steven and Chris show, CFRB 1010 radio and BOOM 97.3 Toronto. Dr. Joey and her books have also been featured in countless magazines such as Best Health, Flare, Oxygen, The Post, Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Today’s Parent, Homemakers and Fashion magazine. Dr. Joey is also a regular contributor to many publications including Alive Magazine, Canadian Living, Homemakers and Tonic. She currently resides on the medical advisory board for Alive publications and was the winner of the 2005 Can-Fit-Pro new speaker of the year award.
Combining her love of nutrition and passion for weight loss, Dr. Joey opened the Shulman Weight Loss Clinics in October 2007. Her highly successful clinics have helped thousands to finally lose the weight and live their life.
Dr. Joey is a proud spokesperson for Genuine Health supplements and is head nutritionist for Sweetpea Baby Food – a line of top quality, frozen organic baby food.
Born and raised in Toronto, Dr. Joey graduated with an honors degree (BA) in Psychology. She then went on to graduate from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.
When not working, Dr. Joey keeps herself healthy and energetic by exercising, practicing yoga and playing with her kids. Following her parent’s tradition of family first, her favorite pastime is being at home with her loved ones. Dr. Joey resides in north Toronto with her husband and two small children.
Check out her blog for some fantastic health posts!
]]>Niagara College is home to Canada’s first teaching brewery and commercial teaching winery, along with a world-renowned full-service teaching restaurant that focuses on local and seasonal cuisine.
Fortified by the teaching vineyards, hop yards, and organic gardens, the CFWI delivers an unmatched learning environment.
The halls of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute are brimming with knowledge in the fields of food, wine, and beer. Expert Edge provides programming through professors and specialists, delivered as one-time events or part-time instruction in a series; and is organized into three sections: professional development, corporate team building, and enthusiast events.
Expert Edge transforms the traditional sharing of knowledge from the full-time classroom into a whole world of possibilities: educating, empowering, and enriching participants’ lives.
This is an offer you can’t refuse! On May 17, you will be able to spend all day with Celebrity Chef Ted Reader. Enjoy a Continental Breakfast and a Lunch at Benchmark, then take some barbecue home for the family. Learn Meat Smoking Techniques, the Types of BBQ, and more!
Click here for more details.
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“We recognized that working out or playing a racquet sport is not a complete picture of a person’s overall good health. Many other factors come into play for a whole wellness picture and that is why we have reached out to our community for partners and like-minded businesses to create a full day of seminars, displays, information and fun that all inform our community on the many factors involved in living well” states Sandy Lynch, Club Manager.
Over the past few months The Club has developed a Health Advisory Board made up of three exceptional medical professionals who will lead the facility with their goal to offer a whole approach to overall health and wellness. The Live Well Health and Wellness show will be the launch of the advisory board as two of the three doctors will be starting off the day with their topic of Living Well into your 90’s. Dr. Matt Tonnos, DC and Dr. Ana Lara, ND will bring their own approaches to this topic. The third member of the Health Advisory Board is Dr. Mark Torigian who has talks planned for later in the season. Dates to be announced.
Marta Pawlowski, the show coordinator, has put together the line up of vendors, displays and speakers in partnership with Haven Global and The Healthy Cupboard. The event will take place in White Oaks Resort’s Exhibition Hall and speakers will be right next door in the Idea Loft. “We wanted to showcase what our club offers and also all the wonderful local services that are offered right here in Niagara, bringing community awareness on Living Well in one place here at White Oaks” states Pawlowski.
As many people know, it’s always ‘out with the old, in with the new’. With the opening of the new hospital. there was no need to keep the Hotel Dieu operational. When the old hospital was shut down, the question of what to do with the 10 acre vacant space came to the forefront. Luckily, Seasons Retirement Communities had the answer. The company, who has done exciting things in the past, suggested a $145 million retirement community development and is hoping to begin construction this year.
The project will be fairly ambitious with a total of 560 retirement units across the site. This breaks down into a 140 unit senior care residence, 400 apartment units and 20 townhomes. This will allow a wide spectrum of capable residents, ranging from independent living to assisted living. The site will also see 100 full and part-time workers to assist with care.
Another hot ticket item as of late is the expansion of the Go Transit Service to accommodate the Niagara Region. With the new Niagara 2041 Growth Strategy, the prediction is 170,000 new residents and 80,000 new jobs by 2041. The problem we’re facing is that growth is not being achieved, we are not expanding like our neighboring cities. This is exactly why the Go Train expansion needs to be completed. Connecting the Niagara Region to the rest of the Golden Horseshoe would be pivotal in securing our goals. It would open us up to further economic investment and allow us a larger pool of potential home buyers. Ontario’s 2016 budget also highlighted bringing daily GO Train services to Niagara. The Ontario budget stated “The Province will continue working with regions, communities, and other levels of government, and private partners to design and select the next generation of infrastructure investments that will improve competitiveness of Ontario’s communities, enhance productivity, promote innovation and develop new economic opportunities.” This would be subject to agreement with freight rail partners, two-way, all day rail services on the Kitchener and Milton GO corridors, and extension of GO Rail service to Niagara and Bowmanville.
The Region has an exciting opportunity before it and Niagara is well on its way to achieving its potential as the perfect place to live, work, play, invest and retire!
]]>When doing an internet search for the most romantic places in the world, Niagara Falls is always on the list. There’s something about the roaring falls and beautiful views that draws honey mooners and couples alike to the magnificent city. As the Clifton Hill blog points out, a spa day is a perfect way to show someone how much you care about them. There are plenty of different spas to choose from, but this list should help narrow down the search!
You should also make sure to take a relaxing horse-drawn stroll around the Falls with Sentineal Carriages.
It’s still a little cold out, but it’s the perfect
excuse to cuddle up under a thick blanket. Another way to show affection is with a bouquet of flowers, but why give a dozen when you can give a thousand. The Floral Showhouse has a wonderful Spring Show currently on display and should definitely be on your list. Check out some more ideas throughout Niagara Falls here.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is also another well-known romance hot spot within the Region. As timing has it, the Days of Wine and Chocolate runs through the month of February and can be an exciting and delicious event for two people to share. Wineries will be showing off some incredible wine and chocolate pairings – “from classically sweet flavour combinations to unexpected surprises”. Peller Estates will be presenting a 2013 Private Reserve Cabernet Franc with a Quinoa Flour Peanut Butter Brownie and Peanut Butter Mousse. Inniskillin Wines on the other hand will be showing off a 2012 Sparkling Cabernet Franc Icewine paired with Chicken Mole “Quesadilla” with Habanero Crème Fraîche. Niagara-on-the-Lake also offers many fantastic shows through the extremely popular Shaw Festival. There are many fantastic shows lined up such as Sweeney Todd, Alice in Wonderland and Engaged.
Finally, if you’d like a more hand on approach to showing you appreciation, you might like one of these delicious dessert recipes from the Food Bloggers of Canada. Two recipes that stand out are the Individual Sweetheart Cakes and the Dulce de Leche and Chocolate Mousse Jars.
]]>Earlier this year, the Rinaldi team also managed to get the title of NHBA “Most Outstanding Townhome” and “Most Outstanding Production Built Home” at the Ontario Home Builder Awards. They were also finalists at the national level for Best New Production Home.
To set a standard of customer satisfaction this high obviously takes an extensive amount of work. Ongoing communication with customers, weekly meetings with construction teams, new products and innovative building practices are what allow Rinaldi Homes to obtain such a high level of success.
This determination not only garners the attention of new customers, but also numerous industry leaders. Last year, Rinaldi Homes was contacted by Mike Holmes about creating a partnership. This entailed a number of new products and building practices that ensured enhanced durability, energy efficiency, fire resistance, moisture resistance, mould resistance and higher indoor air quality. “I partnered with Rinaldi Homes because they understand real craftsmanship. They know what it means to build homes that last for generations,” said Holmes.
Rinaldi homes is also a participant in the Enbridge programs Savings by design, works with local co-op students from Niagara College and Welland Centennial, sponsor and support local hockey teams and charity groups and was also involved with building custom playhouses in suppport of Victim Services Niagara.
Other winners from the night were Mountainview Homes with “Most Outstanding Production Built Home”, Homes by Hendricks with “Most Outstanding Bathroom Renevation” and Empire Communities with “Excellence in Green”.
Make sure to check out Rinaldi Homes’ Facebook page, their Instagram account and their amazing home designs!
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