In late 2019, Niagara-on-the-Lake resident Gerry Kowalchuk stopped at the corner of Queen and Mississauga streets and gazed at the site. Before him were some trees blocking Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club and the view of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. There were some bushes and stones that surrounded a square dirt patch with the town’s name and logo, all designed to welcome visitors and residents to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“It was OK,” said Kowalchuk. “And I know people here don’t like change. But I wanted to do something for the town, and I thought we could do better.
” His idea was for a grand gateway feature that would touch on the town’s beauty, heritage and architecture and would be something both residents and visitors could enjoy. Kowalchuk had some ideas, but he listened to several friends and neighbours, including retired landscape architect Alex Topps. He pitched the idea to the town, a committee was formed, staff helped and council supported the project.
He also donated $250,000 from the Gerald Kowalchuk Family Fund — through Niagara Community Foundation — to the project. Now, more than four years later, Kowalchuk’s initiative, vision and desire for a feature to capture the character of the town was standing in front of him and about 60 other people for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday under a bright morning sun. Kowalchuk acknowledged the linear wall wasn’t his design idea but, after “seven or eight” proposals, it has fit nicel.
