“We are excited to announce that Welland’s Central Fire Station has been nominated as a finalist for The Next Great Save Competition! … Saving this building will reinforce the historical, cultural and commercial importance of the downtown while preserving a century-old architectural jewel.” – from Nora Reid and all of the volunteer members of the Central Station Education Initiative
A Brief Foreword from Niagara At Large reporter/ Publisher Doug Draper
Posted on Niagara At Large on April 16th,2024
Welland’s grand old Central Fire Hall in the city’s downtown
Congratulations to all of the members , friends and loyal supporters of the Central Station Education Initiative, dedicated to protecting and preserving the icon, century old Welland Central Fire Station in the city’s downtown.
They have very recently received the good news that their project to save this classic heritage building is one of 12 finalists in the Camada-wide “Next Great Save Competition sponsored each year by National Trust Canada.
There is an open vote for the winner of this competition which comes with a cash prize that I am sure, if the Welland group should come out on top, it will invest all the money on their ongoing work to restore and preserve the Central Fire Hall.
You can find out more about all of this and find a link for casting your vote below. As someone who was born and grew up in Welland, I have no problem deciding which one of the finalists I will be voting for.
This is the kind of good citizenship and engagement in community that we should all vote for!
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Doug Draper
Please Read On for All of the Details and a Link for Voting –
A News Release from the CENTRAL STATION EDUCATION INITIATIVE
A vintage photo of the Central Fire Hall, circa 1920s
We are excited to announce that Welland’s Central Fire Station has been nominated as a finalist for The Next Great Save Competition! The Next Great Save is a Canada-wide competition from National Trust Canada to help protect and restore the country’s historic places.
This iconic Edwardian Classical style building is one of the last 1920’s era fire stations with its original equipment, fire poles, 1926 Gotfredson Bickle and 1957 LaFrance pumper trucks, master control panel for street corner fire boxes and many more artefacts. Taken out of service in 2006, it quickly fell into disrepair.
We still need to fund many restorations and upgrades to the building before opening it with a main floor exhibition of 100 years of firefighting history and rental spaces on the upper floors for not-for-profits, small businesses and artisans.
Saving this building will reinforce the historical, cultural and commercial importance of the downtown while preserving a century-old architectural jewel.
- Our website: www.centralfirehall.ca;
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellandcentralfirehall/
X (Twitter) https://twitter.com/CentralFirehall
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Voting begins on April 18 and ends on May 6. Vote daily to help us win the $50,000 grand prize by visiting www.nextgreatsave.ca!
For further information and details about this project and the Next Great Save Competition and to arrange an interview, please contact Nora Reid, President, Central Station Education Initiative 905 931 0440 nora_a_reid@hotmail.com
The National Trust announces 12 finalists in the Next Great Save competition
Public can vote to save their favourite historic places from April 18 to May 6
A News Release from the National Trust for Canada
OTTAWA, April 10, 2024 – Canada’s historic places highlight our history, culture and stories and are the foundation of strong communities. Today, the National Trust for Canada announced the 12 finalists for the Next Great Save competition, which empowers communities to save heritage places.
In the Next Great Save, heritage advocates from coast-to-coast make a case for their project that will help to protect, adapt, renew or improve Canada’s historic places – and win a cash prize to make their project a reality.
Finalists were selected based on the team’s ability to save their historic place, and address current issues like climate change, diversity and inclusion, along with the contributions they make to their communities.
The following competitors will be featured in public voting set to begin on April 18 and end on May 6 for the chance to win up to $65,000 in cash prizes:
- Cape Bear Lighthouse and Marconi Station – Murray Harbour, PE
- Cité-des-Hospitalières – Montréal, QC
- Greenly Island Houses – Blanc-Sablon, QC
- LaSalle Theatre – Kirkland Lake, ON
- Mon Keang School – Vancouver, BC
- Nanton Grain Elevator – Nanton, AB
- Old St. Thomas Church – Moose Factory, ON
- Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Church – Aguathuna, NL
- Roxy Theatre – Coleman, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, AB
- St. Andrew’s Lodge – Qualicum Beach, BC
- St. John’s Centre for the Arts – Arichat, NS
- Welland Central Fire Station – Welland, ON
With generous sponsorship from Ecclesiastical Insurance, the first-place winner will receive a $50,000 cash prize while the second and third place winners will receive $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.
Heritage places are vital in building sustainable communities and creating a sense of belonging. The Next Great Save empowers communities to tell the diverse stories of Canada and helps save and renew these important historic sites.
Through this competition along with other preservation efforts, the National Trust has supported 932 non-profits working in heritage to grow their capacity in fundraising, business planning, marketing and tourism by providing coaching, tools and resources.
“Heritage conservation is about meeting the needs of communities today and tomorrow, not just preserving something that existed in the past. These projects demonstrate how heritage can enhance communities by supporting economic development, community gathering, entertainment, and education. Each is led by a passionate group who care deeply about the future of their historic place and community,” said Dr. Patricia Kell, Executive Director of the National Trust.
“Through this competition, we help extend the life of these valued heritage places, and raise awareness of the social, environmental, economic and well-being benefits that they generate. I encourage everyone to get involved by voting in the Next Great Save.”
“This is an exciting way to raise awareness of great historical places across Canada”, said David Huebel, President, Ecclesiastical Insurance. “The Next Great Save competition will support a deserving project and give new life to a worthy heritage place in our community.”
Each participating site will be mounting a campaign to encourage their community, supporters and advocates to vote for their projects. Online voting opens on April 18 at 12 p.m. EST and members of the public can vote once a day at www.nextgreatsave.ca. Voting will officially close on May 6 at 7 p.m. EST and the winner and two runners-up will be announced on May 7.
Quick Facts
- Since 2015, the National Trust has delivered some $13 million to support the conservation of historic buildings and cultural landscapes, and employment opportunities at historic sites across the country.
- Since 2015, the National Trust’s conferences have inspired and educated more than 5000 people with industry- leading conversations.
- The National Trust has helped save and improve the outlook for 54 endangered places for nearly two decades impacting the 17.3 million Canadians living in these 37 distinct regions across the country.
About the National Trust for Canada – Created in 1973, the National Trust for Canada is the leading national charity dedicated to the conservation of Canada’s historic places. The Trust believes that heritage places and older buildings are integral to solving community challenges and meeting contemporary needs, including climate resilience, diversity and inclusion, identity and sense of place, and community wellbeing.
About Ecclesiastical Insurance – Ecclesiastical Insurance is an award-winning commercial insurance company and a proud part of the Benefact Group – a charity owned, international family of financial service companies that gives all available profits to charity and good causes. Ecclesiastical provides specialist insurance solutions to the arts, culture and heritage community, faith organizations, retirement living, educational institutions, registered charities, and non-profit organizations, protecting Canada’s historic places, both large and small, with regional offices in Dartmouth, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.
For more information , click on –
Home – National Trust for Canada – Bringing heritage to life (nationaltrustcanada.ca)
Next Great Save (nationaltrustcanada.ca)
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