Pelham, Ontario

Pelham
—  Town  —
Pelham
Coordinates: 43°02′N 79°20′W / 43.033°N 79.333°W / 43.033; -79.333Coordinates: 43°02′N 79°20′W / 43.033°N 79.333°W / 43.033; -79.333
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Region	Niagara
Settled
Formed	1970
Government
– Mayor	Dave Augustyn
– Federal riding	Niagara West—Glanbrook
– Prov. riding	Niagara West—Glanbrook
Area[1]
– Land	126.42 km2 (48.8 sq mi)
Population (2006)[1]
– Total	16,155
– Density	127.8/km2 (331/sq mi)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
– Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Postal Code	L0S
Area code(s)	905, 289, 365
Website	www.pelham.ca

The Town of Pelham (2006 population 16,155) is located in the centre of Niagara Region in Ontario, Canada.

The town's southern boundary is formed by the Welland River, a meandering waterway that flows into the Niagara River. To the west is the township of West Lincoln, to the east the city of Welland, and to the north the city of St. Catharines. North Pelham contains the picturesque Short Hills (see attractions). Two important creeks have their headwaters within Pelham; Coyle Creek, which flows south into the Welland River, and Twelve Mile creek, a spring-fed stream that flows north into Lake Ontario.

History

Pelham Township was part of Welland County since the 1780s. Although during the War of 1812 there were no battles in Pelham, after the war, a major fortification was proposed in the north of the township in the Short Hills area. The high-rising hills were thought to be an excellent defence spot, and 900 acres (3.6 km²) of lands were purchased by the government. The site was surveyed and named Wellington Height after the Duke of Wellington. The planned stronghold was named King George's Battery. However, the plan was repeatedly deferred, before being finally abandoned in 1860s. The land was sold off as farmland. From the top of the hill on a clear day it is possible to see Toronto, Hamilton and western New York state. At one time a ski tow was installed on the north side of the hill on a golf course, but it was a commercial failure and no longer operates.

In 1970, the Town of Pelham unified five historical communities: Fonthill, Ridgeville, Effingham, North Pelham and Fenwick into a single town covering 126.42 square kilometres. This integration brought together a mix of farming and growing commercialism.

Attractions

The Comfort Maple Tree is estimated to be Canada's largest Sugar Maple tree, approximately 500 years old. Named after the Comfort family on whose land the tree once stood, it has been designated a Conservation site for its biological and historical significance. The Comfort Maple is located in the village of North Pelham.

Short Hills Provincial Park, located along the northern border of Pelham, is a wildlife preserve of 6.6 square kilometres. It once consisted of a valley filled with sedimentary deposits and glacial till, until Twelve Mile Creek sliced through, forming the "Short Hills." In addition there is also St. John's Conservation area, which has a fish pond and a set of trails.

Pelham is also a great location for avid golfers, having a steadily growing amount of golf courses. The town's oldest course, Lookout Point Golf and Country Club, was founded in 1922 by a group of Welland businessmen. Interestingly, the planned King George's Battery would have been located on site of the course, in an area currently occupied by parking, clubhouse, and the first tee.

Notable people from Pelham

Steve Bauer grew up in Fenwick and later became a professional cyclist and wore the yellow jersey at the Tour de France during several years in the 1980s. There is a series of walking and biking trails throughout the municipality which are named after him.

World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Marlene Streit also grew up in Pelham, and has a park in the Town's core named after her.

CTV's morning show CTV AM's weather and sports man, Jeff Hutcheson currently lives in Fenwick

Former NHL enforcer Matt Johnson was raised and lived in Fenwick Ontario, although his birthplace is listed as Welland Ontario, as this is where the local hospital is located.

Government

The Town is divided into three wards, each of which elects two councillors to sit on Town Council for a period of four years. The Mayor is elected separately and also serves a term of four years. After serving from 2006-2010 mayor Dave Augustyn was reelected and will serve 2010-2014. Additionally a regional councillor is elected to represent Pelham at the Regional Municipality of Niagara government-level.

Demographics

Census	Population
1971	9,997
1981	11,104
1991	13,328
2001	15,272
2006	16,155

According to the Canada 2006 Census:

• Population: 16,155
• Percentage Change (2001-2006): + 5.8 %
• Dwellings: 6,058
• Area: 126.42 km²
• Population density: 127.8/km²

According to the Canada 2001 Census:

• Population: 15,272
• Percentage Change (1996-2001): + 6.5 %
• Dwellings: 5,714
• Area: 126.42 km²
• Population density: 120.8/km²

Sports and recreation

Pelham's sports include:

• Pelham Minor Hockey Association
• Pelham Minor Baseball Association
• Pelham Soccer Club
• Pelham Basketball Association

Pelham's clubs include:

• Fenwick Lions Club
• Greater Niagara Model Railroad Engineers

Communities

• Effingham
• Fenwick
• Fonthill
• North Pelham
• Pelham Centre
• Pelham Corners
• Ridgeville

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Pelham community profile". 2006 Census data. Statistics Canada. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3526028&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Pelham&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=. Retrieved 2011-02-03. 

External links

• Town of Pelham Home Page
• The Welland/Pelham Chamber of Commerce
• The Voice of Pelham - Pelham Community Newspaper
• Pelham Community Portal