Fate of Welland condo project uncertain; partial collapse prompts ministry probe
Evertrust Development, the builder of a luxury condo complex under construction in Welland that partially collapsed Saturday night, says an update on how the project has been delayed won’t be available until after the Ontario Ministry of Labour conducts its investigation.
A ministry investigator and structural engineer are working with City of Welland building officials to determine the cause and impact of the collapse at Upper Vista Welland Condominiums at 350 Prince Charles Dr.
On Sunday Welland chief building official Jack Tosta issued an order to “remedy an unsafe building” under the Ontario Building Code.
It was served on Evertrust Development, and includes anyone who has an interest in the $55-million project — a 226-unit, five-storey, two-tower building steps away from the Welland Recreational Canal.
The city said it requires the damaged building to be remedied, following recommendations of a structural assessment report.
Ministry spokesperson Jennifer Rushby said there were no injuries in the incident and that two orders have been issued against the developer, but added she cannot specify what those orders say.
“This limitation on disclosure is temporary to protect the investigation. Following the completion of our investigation and any potential prosecution, information related to any orders or requirements issued may be released,” she said in an email.
She also could not give a timeline of how long it will take the ministry to probe the incident.
“The length of the investigation will depend on the complexity of the case,” she said, adding the ministry can’t comment further.
On Tuesday, a letter sent to partners by Evertrust president Ted Zhou was provided to The Welland Tribune by Joyce Morocco, from a public relations company contracted by the developer.
“We are not able to comment on anything at this time as you are aware the Ministry of Labour is conducting a full investigation as to what happened on the construction site,” she said when asked about delays to the project’s completion date, previously stated to be this May.
Questions about whether condo owners will be able to opt out of their purchases were not addressed in an email.
All units have been sold. Zhou wrote his company is “working hard to resolve” issues as quickly as possible, and that “all protocols are being followed,” and that his team is working in “full co-operation” with the ministry.
“On a final note, we want to assure you that we have a long-standing reputation of excellence in our developments and we look forward to completely resolving all of the current issues so that we may proceed in the completion of the project in a timely manner,” he wrote.
On the weekend, the public relations firm speaking on behalf of the developer said the company’s staff was on site Sunday morning with Mayor Frank Campion and city and ministry officials.
In that release, Campion said Zhou has been co-operative, and his organization was doing everything appropriate for this type of situation.
Deputy fire chief Burt Lamoureux said there was no way to assign a dollar figure to the damage because of where things are in the construction process.
Lamoureux said firefighters were called at 7:40 p.m. Saturday after someone reported having heard what they thought was a possible building collapse.
“They noted the lights on the south tower on the construction site were out. We didn’t find any signs of anybody on the site. We did have to cut some chain link fence to get onto the site. From a distance, we did notice on the canal side of the building that several concrete slabs had collapsed.”
Lamoureux said it was a “pancake-style” collapse, with the concrete slabs falling straight down.
Ground was broken at the site on the west side of the recreational canal in October 2021.
‘‘ From a distance, we did notice on the canal side of the building that several concrete slabs had collapsed.