Victoria Village

Nestled along the historic Welland Canal in St. Catharines, Ontario, Victoria Village provided a unique opportunity for CLC. The property is one of the last remaining sites available for development in St. Catharines, which is the major urban centre in the Niagara Peninsula, an area renowned for its tender fruit farming and wineries.

The 14-acre (5.7-hectare) site was formerly owned by Transport Canada and was acquired by CLC in late 2005. The property is located within the city's urban boundary along the Welland Canal. It enjoys excellent access to schools and other amenities and is close to the recreational pathways that run beside the Canal.

After evaluating local market conditions, CLC worked with the City of St. Catharines to secure municipal planning approval for a 119 unit low-rise residential development on the property. These units will consist of 89 single detached homes and 30 freehold town home units. Construction of the units began in the spring of 2008.

Streets within the community will be named to honour two local men, Fred Fisher and Graham Thompson Lyall, who received the British Commonwealth's highest award for military bravery during World War I: the Victoria Cross (VC). Commemorative street name signs, along with interpretive boulevard markers serve as memorials to honour both men. A third street in the community is known as Valour Way, in recognition of the words "For Valour", which appear on the Victoria Cross.

In an innovative partnership with the City, CLC constructed a roadway on City property connecting Victoria Village to Secord Woods to the west. With this road connection in place, the City Transit Authority will now have the option of expanding bus service to this area of the City.

CLC also worked very closely with the City of St. Catharines on how best to reintegrate this property into the community and existing surrounding neighbourhoods in order to optimize its value to the City.

Victoria Village provides yet another example of CLC's commitment to develop former surplus government lands in partnership with local communities and to recognize and celebrate their heritage.