Boat rental program making a splash
The Welland Community Boathouse has you covered if you don’t own a vessel or surfboard and are looking for some fun on the recreational canal.
Operated by the municipality, the facility on Thorold Road has been the home of Welland’s boat rental program for the past eight years — an offering that makes a splash every summer and has been annually growing in popularity, said Cassandra Magazzeni, the city’s arts and culture co-ordinator.
With the scorching temperatures felt across the region last week also in the forecast for the next few days, she said many local residents and tourists will be anticipated at the boathouse in the near future.
She also said the number of users seen in 2018 are on pace to beat last season’s total, especially if the heat and humidity sticks around.
“The weather has definitely helped this year as compared to last year,” she said Monday.
Through a provincial grant, the boathouse will also offer standup paddle board (SUP) lessons this summer, an onwater sport that more people have been getting into around the world.
“Adults are a little more hesitant to try it because they don’t want to fall off.
“The kids, they don’t care,” she said about the response seen at the boathouse.
SUP boards can also be rented during regular hours of operation, along with pedal boats, kayaks and canoes.
The city’s summer day camp is scheduled to visit the boathouse three times in the next couple of months.
In July and August, including holidays, the facility is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends.
For more information, visit www.welland.ca.