> 10-storey Woolverton product of economy: developer Pg 3 >Vets feted at Grimsby Legion Pg 8 > Stuff a stocking for local seniors Pg 11
Wonder of Christmas
Thousands lined Main Street Saturday evening to get a good look at the main attraction of the Grimsby Santa Claus Parade. Santa did not disappoint. Please see more coverage on Pages 12-13. Loree - Photo
By Evan Loree For NewsNow
A controversial condo/hotel complex planned for Victoria Shores in Vineland was approved by LIncoln council Dec. 2. Residents packed the town hall for the meeting to voice objections to the project..
The project, planned for the north end of of Victoria Avenue, went through a public meeting July 8. It has since been revised from a proposed height 15-storey plan to 13 and now includes more parking and lower density.
The developer, Globizen Group, is proposing 644 parking spaces, up from 637. Of those spaces, 610 will be on-site and the rest will be onstreet parking.
Globizen founder, Brandon Donnelly, said the project also had 30 fewer hotel units and 50 fewer residential units, a result of scaling back the height.
The new project will consist of See VICTORIA, Page 4
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By Mike Williscraft NewsNow
Approved at seven storeys but now seeking three additional levels, developer Harley Valentine faced concerted opposition last week during a Public Information Centre (PIC) at Grimsby’s town hall.
The project - The Woolverton - is already approved as a sevenstorey rental building, but developer Harley Valentine of Castlepoint Numa says the three additional stories are needed to make the project feasible from a financial viewpoint.
At last Wednesday’s PIC, about 50 turned out with many citing considerable impact to heritage and traffic issues as major reasons the 10 storeys should not be considered.
Valentine understands the concerns, but noted the development landscape has changed considerably in the last couple of years and he needs to keep up.
“That’s what we need to make the project work,” said Valentine, citing interest rates and cost of construction as two major factors which have changed the financial equation.
“To make the project work, we need a certain amount of density. I’d be happy at seven if it worked, but I have to continue to fight to make the project work. It is a tough economic environment.
The seven-storey build included 120 rental units. The proposed
10-storey model has 250 with 10 per cent of those units being reserved for affordable housing.
“That is quite robust. it’s more than anyone else has offered in the Town of Grimsby. The Town does not have its own terms of reference on affordable housing so they refer, I believe, to City of Hamilton. I believe it is capped at $1,200 a month for a one bedroom condo,” said Valentine.
“We’re gearing those units to seniors who are in the “affordable” bracket. ”Parking - another concern - breaks down this way: the new proposal has 252 spaces - a 1.1 ratio based on the 227 commercial units. Affordable housing designation allows for zero parking per unit.
On the transportation aspect, Valentine said he has put forward a shuttle proposal not just specific only to The Woolverton project, which would be linked to another developer’s 297-unit build.
“We would be running a shuttle between our two sites and out to the GO Train to create that missing link,” he added.
With so much focus on the height, Valentine said he realizes it seems a shock now, but said in a very short time it will be the provincial standard.
“We are now in a world where two major things are happening: Grimsby is updating their Official Plan. They launched their charette
earlier this year.,” said Valentine, noting more housing downtown, a town square and more height being okay as long as it is not on Main Street being three key outcomes from that process.
“Out of that charette will be formed the new objectives for Grimsby as current objectives are out of date now, so we can assume that height adjustments are going to be captured in that OP, which I believe is coming out in 2025,” said Valentine.
In terms of heritage, Valentine says he gets it.
“It was a shock to be at seven. Now people are saying, ‘Harley, you are back. This is greed.’ This is not greed. This is simply me trying to make my project work and I have to do everything that is possible. The reason I put another million-and-ahalf dollars up to buy another piece of land is to try to make this project work. I am spending money in the pursuance of high-quality rental housing in downtown Grimsby. I can’t deliver a four-storey project. I can’t deliver a sevenstorey rental project right now. If the Town and the general population wants me to deliver housing in downtown Grimsby this is how I have to do it,” he said.
I will caveat that with, we are continuing to review community feedback to determine exactly how the 10 storeys gets delivered.”
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From Page 1
346 condo units and 100 hotel rooms. Of the condos, 202 will be one-bedroom units, 88 will have two, 29 will have three while 27 will be stacked townhouses.
It will also dedicate about 2,000 sq m of land to a spa, restaurant, cafe and bar. The developer is also planning to turn the beachfront into a publicly accessible plaza. Trails along Prudhomme’s Creek to the east will also be public.
After council heard presentations from three residents and Donnelly, it voted 8-1 in favour of the project.
Dianne Rintjema was the only councillor to withhold support. She raised concerns that traffic to and from the proposed complex was still “pretty pinched” despite design changes that would make access easier for emergency vehicles.
Parts of the project still exceeds the town’s 10-storey limit, but Donnelly said those amount to less than 10 per cent of the full build-out.
Donnelly said the project could have been built under that 10-storey threshold, but the design on the table had less impact on the adjacent neighbourhood’s access to daylight.
Acoustic barriers are to be placed between the development and the neighbourhood of mostly single-family houses to the east to help reduce the impact of noise
pollution.
Donnelly said he felt the project was better for the feedback from residents.
But the residents who spoke at the meeting were still concerned.
Marcus Jablonka, a board member of the Victoria Shores Homeowners Association, objected to the project’s size and compatibility.
“The proposed development would be in screaming contrast to the established low-rise neighbourhoods,” he said.
He said it would devalue the neighbouring properties and noise from the hotel would be a problem despite the sound barriers.
Vineland resident Mohammed Dore said the developer’s revisions were “minimal” and the density was still very high.
He also said data in Globizen’s own traffic study showed there would be an increase of trafficcaused delays along Victoria Shores Avenue because of the development.
This was not lost on councillors either.
“There’s going to be a need to redo Victoria Avenue to accommodate traffic,” Coun. Mike Mikolic said.
Special project manager Melissa Shih said upgrades to the street would be 100 per cent funded through development fees, which are special charges levied on developers to help pay for infrastructure upgrades.
Coun. Tony Brunet asked what made the project compatible with the surrounding area.
Again, Donnelly brought up design choices that reduced shadow impacts.
“I was hoping that it was going to be a longer list based on the fact that it’s a $500 million project,” Brunet said.
However, he also said the town needs more hotels to accommodate tourists, and the proposal would help meet that need.
Mayor Sandra Easton asked if Donnelly would be responsible for restoring portions of Prudhommes Creek, which runs along the eastern property line of the development site.
He said lands east of the creek would be conveyed to the Town as part of the development agreement.
“We weren’t aware of anything that needed to be done to that area,” he said.
An environmental study completed by Markham-based Geotechnical Engineers Inc. on behalf of Globizen provides recommendations on how to preserve and protect Prudhommes Creek from the development’s impacts.
Some of these, such as erecting construction barriers and planting native species, were cited by Shih in response to Easton’s concerns.
The beachfront will be owned and maintained by the eventual building owners but will be accessible to the public, Donnelly said.
“The intent is that it is a publicly
accessible place, that anyone in the community could pack a picnic, walk to the water, sit down and enjoy their lunch,” he said.
Easton was not impressed with digital images of the beachfront.
“There’s nothing very natural about it,” she said of the design, which shows mostly concrete patio space and not much landscaping.
Donnelly said the images of the beachfront were preliminary and there would be opportunities in the future to add more plantings to the landscaping.
Coun. Adam Russell asked if the parking would still be sufficient when the needs of hotel staff were considered.
“The hotel is unlikely to run at 100 per cent occupancy at all times,” Donnelly said He said they can add more parking spaces for hotel staff at a later stage in the development process if necessary.
Russell said if the parking is insufficient, people will turn to the adjacent neighbourhood to find parking spaces.
Near the end of the discussion, Mikolic asked what would happen if council refused the project.
Town chief administrator Mike Kirkopoulos said if the developer decided to appeal a hypothetical refusal to the Ontario Land Tribunal, which resolves land disputes, then the town would have to discuss legal costs and seek expertise beyond the town to defend the refusal to the tribunal.
The first ever Balsam Lane Christmas Market was a hit. Jayde DiPelino, left, with her children Mason, 5, and Charlotte, 3, stopped by to sample hot chocolate on the cool Saturday afternoon, Nov. 30. Loree - Photo
"Zoi and her team were the perfect solution to my house sale challenges. Zoi’s strategic planning and staging, Kate’s attentive and reassuring follow-ups, and Caitlyn’s administrative support made for a quick sale (an offer made in two days) and a relatively stress-free process –it was actually fun! I absolutely recommend Zoi and team for Niagara real estate needs. They were such a pleasure to work with, and my quick sale for just over asking price has allowed me to buy my next home and plan for the next stage in my life. Thank you Team!”
- Barbara B.
(Right) Kevin Wadden, right, fills his plate at the Grimsby Legion Veteran Luncheon, Nov. 18.
(Below L to R), Terry Miller, Sandy Burrows, Merry Ballotta, Toni Burch. Darlene Bechtel, Malcolm Williams, and Bill Wood enjoyed lunch together.
December 12, 2024
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
George Street, Beamsville
Invites you to Worship with Them
Sunday Services at 11 am
December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Wednesday Midweek Advent Services
December 4, 11 and 18 at 7 pm followed by Coffee Time
December 15 at 3 pm Christmas Carol Sing followed by Coffee Time
December 24 Christmas Eve Service at 7 pm
December 25 Christmas Day Service at 11 am
All are Welcome to worship with us
By Evan Loree NewsNow
A town newcomer is looking to start a new Christmas fund raiser in Grimsby.
Patricia Tudor moved to Grimsby from Montreal in July and is collecting stuffed Christmas stockings for town seniors.
“I’m passionate about seniors, hav ing cared for my mom in the early 2000s and then being a full time advocate for seniors for about 15 years now,” Tudor said.
to expand.
Tudor works as an elder care advisor for Lianas Senior Transition Services, a Montreal-based company that advises seniors as they plan for end-of-life living arrangements.
The purpose of the charity drive, Stockings of Love,
is to get small gifts to people living in senior homes within the community.
Tudor got the idea from Janice FordSpencer, who runs a version of Stockings of Love in St. Catharines every year and is on her way to collecting 2,400 stockings for the city’s seniors.
“When I heard of this project, I
thought, ‘my God, what about Grimsby?’”
Tudor is starting small, by collecting enough items to supply almost 50 residents of Killean Lodge with Christmas stockings.
She said it would be hard to fill 50 stockings on such short notice but was confident she could get it done with
Long term, Tudor said she would like to service more se niors living in the community, includ ing those who may be living alone in their own homes.
People can con tact Tudor at: ptudor@lianasservices.com if they’d like to make a donation, or can drop items off in the lobby at 550 North Service Rd., Grims by.
Late-day flurries did not dampen Santa’s parade through Grimsby Saturday night.
Parade-goers crowded the route to cheer on jolly old Saint Nick as he rode through town on the tail of a long line of holiday celebrants.
Volunteers worked hard all night to put a smile on every face in the crowd.
Clockwise from bottom left, Ryder Hasse, Rachel, Joseph and Abigail Martin, Slovan Jemovich, Cory Treverson and Paislee Johnsen were patient
Story, Photos
By Evan Loree
Firefighters and their supporters came out in droves to collect donations for the Grimsby Benevolent Fund.
When you sit down for your family’s Christmas Dinner, please tell us all the items you WILL include, but also the items you would NEVER includeBrussels sprouts for me! Are you a turkey family? Ham? Turducken? Email mike@wn3.ca or drop it off at our office at 1 Mountain St. in Grimsby before Monday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. to be entered in a free draw for a $75 gift certificate from August Restaurant, Casa Toscana or Forty Public House! Your submission should be 100-125 words in length and can be accompanied with a photo of your holiday table from year’s past. Good Luck!
Celebrate the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel, God-With-Us
Join St. John’s Presbyterian Church and Grimsby Trinity United Church for our joint Christmas Eve Services
Interactive Family Friendly Service - 5 pm
Communion Candlelight Service - 8 pm
100 Main St W, Grimsby ON. L3M 1R7
Colours of the season
Kylee Visentin, 9, and her sister Elise, 7, peruse some Christmas ornaments at the annual St. Helen Church Christmas Bazaar. in Beamsville, Nov. 30. Loree - Photo
ROBERT JAMES, Sales Representative Office: 905-945.1234 Email: robertjames@royallepage.ca
St. Andrew’S AnglicAn church
Christmas Eve Services
December 24
4 pm, 7 pm and 9 pm
Family Service is at 4 pm
Christmas Day Service December 25 10 am
As the regular December General Meeting this year would fall on December 24th which is Christmas Eve, this meeting will instead be held on Monday, December 16, 2024 at Branch #127 at 7:00 PM. We need to conduct the regular an unfinished business of the branch and your attendance would be appreciated.
233 Elizabeth St., Grimsby • 905-945-8421
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In the event that the Canada Post strike continues, the December water/wastewater bills will not be issued through the mail. If you are in the Vineland/Jordan water/wastewater billing area, your bill may be picked up in person at Town Hall with valid identification, or you may email or call to get your amount owing. Be prepared to verify your identity by having your previous bill handy. Alternatively, you may register for online services such as e-billing or access your account details by visiting lincoln.ca/onlineaccounts. You may also register with WaterSmart at lincolnon.watersmart.com to access consumption data and receive electronic copies of your utility bills.
Kathy Hindman of Beamsville stops by the St. Alban’s Christmas Bazaar on Saturday and drops in a few raffle tickets for gift wrapped prizes just before the market closes. Loree - Photo
Our
Visiting Volunteers: We provide 1:1 support to clients and caregivers living with a life-limiting illness.
Bereavement Support: We provide 1:1 and group support in West Niagara.
Legacy: We help clients share their life story and create a lasting book for family.
Care Package Delivery: We deliver soup, bread, activities, gifts, and community information to clients and caregivers every month.
We encourage affected property tax and water/wastewater billing customers on Pre-Authorized Payment Plans (PAP) to contact the Town regarding the updated amounts to be withdrawn.
» Due date: December 20, 2024
If you are in the Vineland/Jordan water/wastewater billing area, your December PAP will be withdrawn on Friday, Dec 20th.
Your PAP amount has been recalculated and a new amount will begin to be withdrawn in January. Normally confirmation letters for your new PAP amount would be mailed in early December. When the postal strike ends, we will resume the mailing of these letters. If you would like to obtain your new PAP amount, please contact Town Finance staff.
» Due date: January 1, 2025 / 12 month plan
» Due date: January 15, 2025 / 10 month plan
» Due date: February 28, 2025 / instalment plan: Your next payment amount will be on your interim property tax bill issued in January.
Questions? Please contact: finance@lincoln.ca 905-563-2799 ext. 222
(Left) Peter Wial poors gravy over his chicken and potatoes in the food line.
(Right) Adrienne Brown stops to chat with Robert Walhout after preparing her plate at the buffet table.
Megan Rempel serves Donna Jantzi a plateful of veggies at the Grimsby Senior Club’s annual Christmas luncheon at the Livingston Activity Centre, Dec. 3. Loree - Photos
By Melissa Marchewka McNally House Hospice
recognizes that their care extends beyond the person at the end of their life, encompassing their loved ones as well.
In the summer of 2024, Darlene Girardo was admitted into McNally House. Darlene and her sister, Karo-Lee Pilato, shared a close bond growing up and this connection remained strong through the end of Darlene’s life. Karo-Lee and her husband Gene, and their four children spent a lot time at McNally House with Darlene where they got to experience the kindness and attentive care of the staff firsthand.
Karo-Lee and her daughter Christina recall the day that Darlene was admitted to McNally
House. McNally House felt like a home, and Darlene received personalized care, even choosing her meals. These small
touches meant the world to her.
“It wasn’t just about her. It was also about us. So if any of us got a
little emotional there was always somebody there,” Karo-Lee said, “The support was just phenomenal.”
Karo-Lee and her daughter Christina are deeply grateful for McNally House because it allowed them to be fully present for Darlene, without worrying about her care.
“The day she passed, the staff did a procession that was so touching. People who work downstairs, that I hadn’t even seen before, followed us and Darlene outside,” Karo-Lee said.
For this procession, Karo-Lee was asked to choose a song to represent her sister, I Love Lucy was chosen because they were huge fans. Through community,
compassion and tradition, McNally House creates beautiful moments even during difficult times.
McNally House provided the expert care Darlene needed, while her family could focus entirely on being there for her during this challenging journey, navigating their own grief with peace of mind.
Provincial funding, supports only a portion of our nursing costs. More than $1.6M is needed annually to ensure the hospice residence, and, all other programs remain available.
In this season of giving, we invite you to support McNally House Hospice by visiting: mcnallyhousehospice.com stopping by or calling 905-309-4013.
Thanks to a great response over the last few weeks, NewsNow is ready to deliver for our community. We are now having our carriers go door-to-door in Grimsby, Beamsville, Vineland, Jordan & Smithville.
There are still a handful of routes not filled, so if you happened to miss your copy - or if you live in an outlying rural area - we have planned a large list of helpful outlets to allow for quick and convenient pick ups.
Puddicombe Farms
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cosby, Gail Gloria June 18, 1941November 30, 2024
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of our dear mother Gail Cosby (nee Mulrooney) peacefully at St. Peter’s Hospital on November 30, 2024, with her loved ones by her side in her 82nd year. Beloved wife of the late William (1998), and dear daughter of the late Audrey and Robert Mulrooney. Loving mom to Bill (Tricia), Robert (Sai “Gun”), and Sheri-Lynn (Tim). Cherished grandma to Coleman, Maddison (fiancé Corey), Sage and Ethan. Special Great-Grandma Gail to Briley, Kingsley and Nylah. Special cousin to Sharon Tansley and long time friend to Karen P and Sharon E.
A true fighter, Gail, courageously battled cancer twice in her lifetime, demonstrating an unwavering spirit that inspired all who knew her. Her determination and grace shone brightly until her final moments.
Throughout her life, Gail touched the hearts of many with her kindness and compassion. She was known for her cooking and baking and her unconditional love for her family and friends. She will truly be missed but her memories will forever be in our hearts.
The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to all the staff on 3W Palliative Care at St Peter’s Hospital. A special thank you to Nurses Jenna, Sydney, Ashlee and Maddie. Cremation has taken place with private inurnment at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 7, 2025 from 1pm - 4pm at the Grimsby Pumphouse located at 447 Elizabeth Street, Grimsby, where friends and family are invited to celebrate her life and legacy. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gail’s name to Palliative Care at St Peter’s Hospital, Hamilton. Arrangements entrusted to STONEHOUSEWHITCOMB FUNERAL HOME, GRIMSBY, 905-945-2755. www.smithsfh.com
Memory of my sister
Betty Majewski (Nee: Babiuk) who passed away December 19, 2021 There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t think about her. We would talk on the phone every day.
She was my older sister so I looked up to her and she looked after me so I wouldn”t get hurt.
She was always there for me. She was very smart and very talented. She taught herself to play Piano and Guitar. She had a great voice and sang with a band for a while.
When l was old enough I sang harmony with her. We would sing at weddings and parties or sometimes in a restaurant if there were some friends there.
My sister would sing anywhere. She was a very good dancer and was always helping organize special occasions. There wasn’t very much that she couldn’t do. She raised a family, 3 boys Mark, Steven and John.
But she still had time to help me. I will never forget her and I am sure she left many good memories with everyone she met and with everything she did. She will always remain in our hearts...
Love Marie and Family
Perhaps you sent a lovely card, Or sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent a floral piece, If so we saw it there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words As any friend could say; Perhaps you were not there at all, Just thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts, We thank you so much whatever the part.
Cath & Joe Merritt
Our family chain is broken, Life will never be the same. But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again.
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Kate Gardiner works the hearth at Nelles Manor, producing sourdough bread, ginger cookies, bread pudding and other sweet treats for the museum’s visitors during special Christmas tours on the weekend. Loree - Photo
A lot of letters this week about Canada Post, none of them kind to striking workers.
The point has been made that the union is out of touch with market reality on this one - likely leading them to serve union members with a bill of goods in terms of they they think they can get - so no need to be redudant. From the union proposal earlier this week, which backtracks some “asks” and pushes the boundary on original items, it’s clear no end is in sight. They may play themselves entirely out of jobs across the board. M.W.
I must admit, I am a bit torn.
I see the logic in 10 storeys being required to make The Woolverton viable in downtown Grimsby - given the volatile economic landscape and other pressures of development these days.
One also has to recognize the major impact that a 10-storey structure will have on the Town’s landscape.
Even those who are 100 per cent pro development acknowledge that’s a lot.
I think the Century Condos at its four storeys will surprise people when it starts to dominate the landscape of downtown’s east side. It will be a very impressive building.
The drawings for The Woolverton look great, too, with its blend of true community heritage combining the Woolverton House at 13 Mountain St. and the former Grimsby Baptist Church at 10 Elm.
The real key there for the community is the rental unit aspect - an area woefully underserviced in the area as far back as I can remember.
In the 90s people would come into the old Independent office on Adelaide Street asking if any apartments had been listed for an upcoming edition so they could get an edge in making a call to a landlord. It still happens 30 years later in our office now. Now, we can all jump down the rabbit hole of
affordable housing on this one as well.
Sure, it would be great to have 25 one-bedroom apartments in the heart of downtown at a rate of $1,200 per month. Any community would love that. For me, I don’t give that any weight in analyzing my level of support for the proposal. By that I mean I would not trade the heritage card, for example, in favour of affordable housing.
The question: is there really a trade of any kind?
I fully believe developer Harley Valentine is being truthful when he states he is being pushed by economic factors to seek an additional three storeys. The signs are all around us, every single day.
When you add in the demand on product supply and trades, costs go up that much more because a major part of the social conversation in the last several years is the lack of “affordable” housing (in the cost of homes sense, not the social safety net sense).
It is that pressure that has caused the provincial government to change its building standards several times in recent years - relaxing controls to allow far more height and density everywhere.
As with the ongoing planning saga at 30 Viking Drive would indicate, municipalities find themselves behind the development eight ball more times than not. All these hi-rise developments are similar in that precious little is within a municipality’s control anymore.
Does that mean residents or the Town itself should roll over if it vehemently opposes any build? Certainly not. Municipalities need to spend money on legal and consulting services as required to fight any project it deems does not align with planning or social principles. Where that must be tempered is if one faces certain loss at an Ontario Land Tribunal hearing.
I am no planning expert, but from what I have followed over the years and what has been approved even with a legal fight, I would say there is a 95 per cent chance (if not higher) that OLT approves this project at 10 storeys.
So, Grimsby, do you want to add another 1.5 per cent to the Town budget to fight this one or do you want a large scale rental build which highlights heritage and includes affordable housing units?
Dear Editor,
I’d like to thank you and your team for all the hard work, long days, evenings & weekends that I know you sacrifice for our community.
It bothers me so, to see people criticize your columns when I feel they are presented in a neutral format.
I feel your team al-
ways plays fair when it comes to allowing people to voice their opinions in “letters to the editor”.
Your reporting is thoughtful, intelligent and well-sourced.
I remember reading Mike’s story of how he came upon our
‘little’ town and I was shocked to learn he didn’t grow up here.
As someone who has grown up here, I feel a kinship with Mike...his passion and protective nature of this community and its history are palpable.
We are lucky to have you and your team.
Please always re-
member...there are many people that love everything you do for our town, unfortunately the ‘sour grapes’ people seem to speak the loudest. Keep doing what you do. It gives me hope that there is some sanity left in the world.
Kindest regards, Andrea Doneff
Dear Editor,
I hope everyone got out to enjoy the Grimsby Santa Claus parade last night.
town to show them how professional and big-city like it was.
Sincerely, Donna Butler
I am sending pictures of the parade to all my family who live out of
In my opinion, it was spectacularas fine as any major city. I thought it was really great. The crowd turnout was terrific. I can’t say enough good things about it.
