As Wheatley moves toward revitalization, contractors will be on site in the downtown area to continue to move this process forward.
On Monday, July 21st, the owners of 24 Erie St. North will have a demolition contractor on site to begin the demolition process. It is expected that the work will be completed within two weeks.
Traffic disruptions are not anticipated during demolition and Erie St. N. will remain open. We ask that residents use caution when in the area and keep clear of the demolition site.
If you are interested in learning more about the future plans for Wheatley, please review the Imagine Wheatley plan for information and progress updates. The Imagine Wheatley page can be found on Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent at https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/imagine-wheatley.
As communicated last week and at council on July 14, activity around the monitoring well will continue. Pumping tests of the monitoring well divert all gas through the H2S scrubber unit but odours may be detected, particularly in low wind conditions. Monitoring in the scrubber, around the site, and at the library site continue.
Residents will see activity in downtown Wheatley over the next few days while contractors run tests on the monitoring well. Gas migration tests are also being taken around the monitoring well and the library property. Additional remote air monitoring has been installed on the library property as well as a temporary vent stack to capture any gas.
It is believed the latest gas release was caused by a previously abandoned water well behind the library. Operational plans for bringing contractors to the library to expose the well and eventually abandon are underway. Further communication on timing of this work will be forthcoming. T.L. Watsons and Associates and Provincial representatives are continuously being engaged in the plans.
Library services will temporarily relocate to The Village Resource Centre beginning Saturday, July 12. A small selection of materials will be available to browse, and patrons are encouraged to place holds on items to be delivered to Wheatley Branch for pick up at search.ckpl.ca.
The Wheatley Pop-Up Library will be open:
- Tuesdays, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- Wednesdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Staff will offer TD Summer Reading Club programs at the Pop-Up Library, including:
- Creativity Lab every Wednesday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, drop-in
- LEGO Club every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, drop-in
Storytime at Coulter Park will also continue on Fridays at 11:00 am on July 18, August 1, and August 15. This program is great for children ages 0 to 6, but all are welcome to join. No registration is required.
Chatham-Kent Public Library staff can’t wait to see you at The Village Resource Centre, 108 Talbot Rd E, Wheatley!
Residents are reminded that if they smell gas to call 911 immediately.
The gas that was venting from the investigation site at 35 Talbot Road West has stopped.
There is no risk to public safety and no action is required from residents.
As a reminder, the CKAlert emergency notification service is designed specifically for emergency situations where immediate action is required, such as evacuations, road closures, or other urgent safety measures. CKAlert will not be used for general updates or information sharing unless there is a direct/potential threat that necessitates immediate public action.
Wheatley residents can sign up to receive CKAlerts at www.CKAlerts.ca.
For regular Wheatley updates, residents are encouraged to subscribe to the Wheatley email list at www.chatham-kent.ca/services/digitalresources/Pages/Subscription-Services.aspx (select ‘Wheatley Emergency’).
Investigations are continuing into recurring gas emissions detected at 35 Talbot Road West in Wheatley. At present, there is no risk to public safety, but residents are encouraged to avoid the area.
As a result of the minor gas event that took place July 1, the Chatham-Kent Public Library Wheatley branch will remain closed until further notice as a precaution and to ensure continued public safety. Library staff are working to provide temporary library services in Wheatley while the branch is closed. More details will be shared in the near future.
“As the investigation continues, our top priority is public safety,” said Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue Chief Chris Case. “We are working closely with technical experts and provincial partners to determine the source of the gas and take any actions necessary to protect the community.”
For regular Wheatley updates, residents are encouraged to visit the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent Wheatley Updates page at www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/wheatley-updates and subscribe to the Wheatley email list at www.chatham-kent.ca/services/digitalresources/Pages/Subscription-Services.aspx (select ‘Wheatley Emergency’).
As a reminder, the CKAlert emergency notification service is designed specifically for emergency situations where immediate action is required, such as evacuations, road closures, or other urgent safety measures. CKAlert will not be used for general updates or information sharing unless there is a direct/potential threat that necessitates immediate public action.
Updates will continue as new information becomes available.
The gas emission discovered in Wheatley has now stopped and T. L. Watson and Associates, Chatham-Kent’s oil and gas expert who oversaw previous Wheatley incidents, has confirmed there are no imminent risks to public safety. Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue Services (CKFR) also conducted gas checks in homes closest to the incident site and no gas was detected.
Residents temporarily displaced from their homes are permitted to return. All roads have reopened and Entegrus has restored power to the area. The Wheatley Library branch will remain closed until further notice while the investigation continues. Chatham-Kent Economic Development and Tourism Services’ dedicated Wheatley Economic Development Officer is currently on scene to assisting businesses affected by the situation.
CKFR remains on scene and is conducting air monitoring every 30 minutes to ensure ongoing public safety.
“This was a terrible incident for everyone still affected by the 2021 event,” said Chatham-Kent Fire Chief Chris Case. “However, we quickly assembled all agencies and the experts we have relied on over the past years and were able to determine the community could return to their homes. We appreciate the support and understanding from everyone involved.”
“I am extremely thankful that this situation was quickly resolved through rapid response and teamwork from multiple agencies and cooperation from Wheatley residents,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “The people of Wheatley have been through so much over the last few years, and this incident is a firm reminder of the importance of vigilance and monitoring in the community.”
Yesterday at 1:45 PM, CKFR crews responded to reports of an odour behind 35 Talbot Street West in Wheatley. It was found that hydrogen sulfide gas was emanating from a small area near the back of the property.
Once the gas was discovered, an immediate evacuation of the area took place and Windsor Fire Rescue’s Provincial Hazardous Materials (HAZ MAT) Team was called in to assist. Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were also on scene to support public safety efforts. As a precaution, the Wheatley Arena was opened as a temporary evacuation centre. Chatham-Kent Employment and Social Services coordinated temporary lodging for all residents displaced by the incident.
Numerous other agencies also assisted with the incident, including:
- Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission
- Chatham-Kent Victim Services
- Enbridge
- Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
- Ministry of Natural Resources
- Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Geological scientists from the University of Windsor
For immediate notifications in times of emergency, residents are encourage to sign up for CKAlert at www.CKAlert.ca.
Reports of the odour of gas in the area of the Wheatley Public Library branch at 35 Talbot Road West in Wheatley have prompted an evacuation of the area.
An evacuation centre has been established at the Wheatley Arena.
Crews from Chatham-Kent Emergency Services, as well as Entegrus and Enbridge are on scene assessing the situation and further details will be provided as they become available.
Residents are being asked to avoid downtown Wheatley.
Concept Plan Option 1
Developed from early discussions and impressions, Design 1 explores a specific approach to economic development and storytelling. Recognizing the amount of seasonal through-traffic passing along Talbot Road, the boat serves as a unique feature and curiosity encouraging visitors, and those passing by, to stop when they may not have, be drawn in, and ultimately interact with the amenities of downtown. The boat pays homage to the heritage and culture of Wheatley, tying the identities of the waterfront and up-town Wheatley together into a cohesive image for locals to be proud of and visitors to learn from. The site is a vibrant space for locals allowing for socializing, festivals and relaxing; a destination park you can consider to be “the backyard of Wheatley”. We fully recognize the boat shown is an open water vessel, not a Great Lakes trawler. If chosen, the boat would be a design process in itself to execute appropriately.
Take a Closer Look at Concept 1 Plans »
Concept Plan Option 2
Design 2 emerged a bit later in our process as our team fielded more and more input from the community. It was developed over many iterations and revisions. One of the key starting points was the desire to accommodate 20 farmers market stands or Christmas Village Booths (which now both designs provide space to accommodate.) Business and economic development take a slightly different approach in Design 2. Whereas Design 1 provides an attraction, the overall function of Design 2, for the existing and future community, becomes the catalyst for a busier, more animated, and more consistently engaged downtown core. Design 2’s form is based on the geography of Wheatley, a series of parks within a park, each interesting, dynamic, and playful, connected by a main circulatory “river.” This flow explores the cycle of give and take between the land and water, utilizing “inland habitats” (the planted mounds and swales) which feed into the main “river” of circulation leading to the “open water” of the main intersection of town.
Take a Closer Look at Concept 2 Plans »
We're so excited to share the Wheatley Downtown Urban Visioning Concept Plan with all of you — a vibrant reflection of the voices, ideas, and dreams of our community.
These concept plans are the result of months of thoughtful collaboration with the Wheatley Task Force, The Municipality of Chatham-Kent, and many passionate community members who shared their input through outreach sessions, events, and conversations. Now, we want to hear from you once again!
Share Your Feedback!
We're inviting all community members to complete a short survey to share your initial thoughts on the concept plans and provide any additional feedback you may have. Your input is essential as we continue to shape a park that truly belongs to Wheatley.
Wheatley Park Plans Feedback Survey »
PLEASE NOTE: All designs, plans, views, structures, and materials show are conceptual. While these efforts are based on extensive community input and collaboration with the Wheatley Task Force, The Municipality of Chatham-Kent, and other partners, further refinement, detailing, and formal approvals are still required before any construction can begin.
Let's continue building something special, together.
CONCEPT PLAN OPTION 1
CONCEPT PLAN OPTION 2
FULL CONCEPT PLANS
VENDORS WANTED! Join Wheatley’s Community Event!
Calling all local vendors! We’re looking for food vendors, artisans, and businesses to help make Wheatley’s Community Event a day to remember!
Date: June 7, 2025
Location: Downtown Wheatley
Time: 11 AM - 6 PM
Why Join?
- Connect with the community
- Showcase your business to a lively crowd
- Celebrate and support local talent
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Booth Details: 10x10 spaces available—bring your own tent! Generators are provided, but water is not. Limited spots, so register early!
Be part of this fun-filled, family-friendly event with live entertainment, activities, and an incredible community vibe!
Apply Now: https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/wheatley-updates/surveys/vendor-application
The Site Excavation, Re-entry, and Data Analysis Preliminary Report is now available! 📄
This report provides key insights into the progress made at the Wheatley site following the 2021 explosion. It includes:
✅ Detailed findings from the excavation
✅ Steps taken for safe re-entry
✅ Data analysis outcomes
We invite the community to review this important document to stay informed about the ongoing recovery efforts and next steps.
📥 Access the report here: Preliminary Report Link
GOLDER-WSP-Wheatley Pathways Report-Final (14.6 MB) (pdf)
