GRAND OPENING AT CENTRAL FIRE STATION HELD
SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH 2025
On a beautiful sunny day this past Saturday, June 7th, more than 200 people turned out for the Grand Opening of the main floor firefighting exhibit at Welland’s historic Central Fire Station. Visitors included many friends and relatives of those fire fighters who served at Central Station when it was in operation.
Speakers at the event included Mayor Frank Campion; Madison representing MPP Jeff Burch, City Councillors John Chiocchio and Sharmila Setaram, Central Station Education Initiative President Nora Reid and Artefact/Display Committee Chair David Thomson, all of whom emphasized the uniqueness and importance of the combination of historic architecture and original firefighting fixtures and artefacts that survive at the 104-year-old station.
Platoon Chief Drew Clemens, representing Welland’s Fire and Emergency Services, spoke about the interesting history of the Central Fire Station and his personal connection to this Fire Hall where he served for many years.
Mayor Frank Campion presented Central Station Education Initiative with a congratulatory certificate from the City of Welland and Madison, representing Member of Provincial Parliament Jeff Burch, presented the group with certificates from Mr. Burch and Premier Doug Ford.
Ward 3 Councillors Sharmila Setaram and John Chiocchio thanked Central Station Education Initiative’s group of volunteers for spearheading this innovative revitalization project in the heart of Welland's Downtown Historic/Heritage District.
The Welland Professional Fire Fighters Association Honour Guard were present to pay tribute to the memory of Captain Craig Bowman and to all fallen firefighters.
Captain Bowman passed away after a courageous battle with an occupational illness. In 2023 the Province of Ontario passed the Captain Craig Bowman Act (Bill 127) that recognized and provided compensation for firefighters who developed work related cancer after serving less than 25 years. His locker stands at the Central Station in commemoration.
Another highlight of the day was the presence of Welland Fire’s aerial truck and crew, courtesy of Welland Fire and Emergency Services.
Central Station will be open to visitors every Saturday morning from 9:30 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. from June through September Admission is free with donations gratefully accepted. The public are invited to drop by when they visit the downtown Welland Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.
Central Station Education Initiative (CSEI) is a volunteer run Registered Charity and incorporated Not-for-Profit. CSEI leases Central Station from the City with a mandate and responsibility to raise all the funds necessary to restore the historic building; protect, display, share and educate about its firefighting history and reinvigorate it as a community hub.
CSEI’s T-shirt fundraiser is ongoing. With a $50 donation to CSEI, donors will receive a beautiful T-shirt with a colour photo of the Station and a charitable tax receipt of $35 (in accordance with CRA tax regulations). Donations can also be made via e-transfer to wellandcentralfirehall@gmail.com Please include your full name and address in the comments box in your e-transfer to receive a charitable tax receipt.
Central Station Education Initiative’s volunteer Board of Directors are Nora Reid, President; Anthony Dockrill, Vice-President; Gilles Boisvert, Treasurer; Stephanie Maza, Secretary and Board Members Peter Bryan, Tim Cutler, Tia De Agazio, Cathy Horvath, Claire Masswohl, Leslie Robichaud, and Dave Thomson. Honourary Directors are Dan Fortier and Brian Kremen and Honourary Fundraising Campaign Chair is Anna Olson.
CSEI would like to thank its longstanding volunteers and sponsors and looks forward to a successful future in completing its mission.
