The Welland International Flatwater Centre is scheduled to host over 30 competition events this year, and is becoming the venue of choice to conduct workshops and coaching development programs. City staff are excited to participate in a busy 2017 competition season on the waterway, and have also implemented operational changes to support Council’s direction to integrate on-water activities, and align the management of the Welland Recreational Waterway and WIFC with the strategic focus of the City of Welland.
CanoeKayak Canada’s Western Ontario Division (WOD) recently conducted its annual safety program on the Welland Recreational Waterway to ensure the safety of thousands of athletes scheduled to compete at the WIFC this year. Officials and watercraft operators gathered at the WIFC on May 6-7 for an on-water course to prepare for the Ontario Team Trials, the North American Indigenous Games, The Western Ontario Canoe Kayak Championships, and the Canadian National Canoe Kayak Championships.
WOD continues to select the WIFC to conduct its safety program because of the ideal amenities and water conditions, also a number of CanoeKayak Canada competitions are hosted there yearly.
“We’re very grateful to Council and the Mayor for supporting us and welcoming CanoeKayak Western Ontario to this amazing facility,” said WOD Chair, Ted Roworth. “This waterway is first-rate and a commodity to international organizations. Teams from all across North America will be travelling here this summer to compete at the North American Indigenous Games.”
“The WIFC is a world class facility, and is gaining attention from sporting organizations as a premier sport development location for training officials, coaches, and safety personnel – along with its status as a top tier competition hosting facility,” said WIFC Interim Manager Richard Dalton. “It’s always been a mandate to improve the technical and safety development aspect of our competitions. It’s great to see that happening.”
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Contact:
Richard Dalton
Interim Manager, WIFC
Recreation & Culture Division
Corporate Services
Corporation of the City of Welland
145 Lincoln Street, Welland, Ontario L3B 6E1
(905)735-1700 Ext. 4007
richard.dalton@welland.ca
welland.ca
Ted Roworth
Chair of CanoeKayak Canada Western Ontario Division
tedroworth@gmail.com
