Wheatley Updates

More than three dozen Wheatley businesses and non-profit organizations affected by the August 26 explosion and subsequent evacuation of part of the downtown core can now apply for provincial funding to mitigate their financial losses.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced $2 million in business relief funding following a personal visit to Wheatley in September.

Stuart McFadden, Chatham-Kent Director of Economic Development, said the funding application provides aid in two phases. The application will be posted on the Municipal website, Tuesday, November 2nd.

“The first phase is for immediate emergency financial relief and the second is for re-establishment of businesses and relocation if needed,” he said. “We are urging all businesses affected by the explosion to apply.”

Applicants are being asked to return the completed form by email. For those needing assistance, Municipal Economic Development Services staff will be available on-site at the Wheatley Resource Centre/Food Bank location at 108 Talbot Road East.

• Thursday, November 4, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
• Friday, November 5, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Monday, November 8, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Friday, November 12, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Monday, November 15, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (if required)

Applications will be accepted until November 15, 2021, and will be reviewed immediately. Economic Development Services will notify successful applicants of the amount of funding disbursement.

Once notified of success, a disbursement agreement will be forwarded for signature and when returned, the Municipality will promptly process payment.

An investigation by Golder and Associates has confirmed the location of an abandoned gas well adjacent to the site of the explosion. Any reports indicating we have confirmed this well is the source of the gas leaks is premature, as further analysis needs to be completed before this can be determined. Investigations are still underway on the site.

We have received several requests from people seeking permission to access their homes and businesses that are in the evacuation zone. These requests are being considered. If the Fire Chief and Technical Advisory Group can determine accessing the buildings can be done safely, they will develop a plan to allow property owners limited access. As part of this determination, the Municipality's Chief Building Official and his staff are on site this week to review and determine if buildings can be entered. This work needs to be completed before we can determine if people can safely access their properties.

A reminder to all residents in Wheatley that the site is an active work zone and people should not proceed beyond the barriers.

Residents can subscribe to email updates through our email subscription service or by contacting the Municipality.

Residents requiring emergency housing outside of weekday office hours may call the Homeless Response Line (HRL) at (519) 354-6628.

Residents requesting general information should call (519) 360-1998 or 3-1-1 Monday- Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

The Village Resource Centre provides supportive services to those impacted by the explosion. For more information please call 226-484-1004 or email info@villageresourcecentre.ca.

While efforts continue to find the source of a recurring gas emission that caused an August 26 explosion and ongoing evacuation in downtown Wheatley, municipal and provincial officials are also providing residents and businesses assistance.

Thomas Kelly, Chatham-Kent General Manager, Infrastructure & Engineering Services, said six 10-ft holes have been cored in the area of the explosion. Gas testing and monitoring are in process and this information will be used to determine the next steps.

Municipal Employment & Social Services Case Management Services are available at the centre Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Wheatley Area Food Bank is open each Tuesday from nine a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The Centre also houses the Wheatley Branch of the Chatham Kent Library that is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. and Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The centre is located at 108 Talbot Road East and can be reached by phone at 226-484-1004 or by email at info@villageresourcecentre.ca.

Chatham-Kent CAO, Don Shropshire said the centre is the result of a partnership between the municipality and the Wheatley Recovery Group, a community effort involving Wheatley residents including the Business Improvement Association.

“We have committed to providing assistance to the community and having the Wheatley Recovery Group involved means we can directly address issues from a local perspective and provide the assistance people need most,” he said. “We’re grateful for the partnership.”

The municipality is urging residents with questions about the situation to reach out through the centre, call the municipality at 519-360-1998 or 3-1-1 Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or email ck311@chatham-kent.ca.

Residents can subscribe to the email updates through the Subscription Services page on the Chatham-Kent website or by contacting the Municipality.

“We urge residents to reach out to the municipality or the Wheatley Recovery Group,” he said. “Social media lends itself to the spread of rumours and half-truths and we’ve seen both recently. If someone posts information on social media that is contrary to what we are providing, be very skeptical. We rely on facts and we are accountable. That’s not always the case elsewhere.”

Chatham-Kent’s General Manager of Community Human Services, April Rietdyk said housing services are still being provided to a number of families and individuals. “There may be residents who had temporary accommodations when the evacuation took place but whose circumstances have changed,” she said. “We want residents to know we’re still here to help.”

Rietdyk said case managers are also able to help displaced individuals in obtaining winter coats and cold-weather clothing. “Residents in the evacuated area don’t have access to their personal property and with cold weather approaching the need for season-appropriate clothing is growing more urgent,” she said.

Residents requiring emergency housing outside of weekday office hours may call the Homeless Response Line (HRL) at 519-354-6628.

Evacuees may also call 519-351-8573 Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and ask to speak with a Wheatley Crisis Case Manager for assistance with housing, food, and other support services.

Residents requiring general information should call 519-360-1998 or 3-1-1, Monday- Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. To subscribe to email updates please email ck311@chatham-kent.ca.