Chatham-Kent council will discuss spending $3.5 million to purchase five downtown Wheatley properties on Erie Street North, at Monday night’s meeting.
The Wheatley Emergency has been ongoing since 2021 due to hydrogen sulfide gas concerns. In 2021 a gas explosion caused millions of dollars of damage, as well as numerous injuries, in Wheatley’s downtown.
The property acquisitions will help in finding other potential gas sources in the area. Chatham-Kent is investigating the presence of another gas well in the vicinity of the monitoring well after a consultant’s report noted that another well is feeding the monitoring well from a nearby distance.
Chatham-Kent administration received direction in a closed session to pursue preliminary negotiations with owners regarding a possible acquisition of properties identified by consultants as being inappropriate for re-development within Wheatley.
The cost to purchase the properties is expected to be funded by a $3-million provincial grant for the Wheatley emergency, with the remainder funded from the municipal Strategic Reserve.
In a report to council, administration said if these properties are acquired by the municipality, it will provide the most flexibility for ongoing investigations and safety systems, as well as allow for community input to the future vision for the site.
The report said the Wheatley emergency has so far cost Chatham-Kent $22 million, with the province providing $16.4 in grants to cover costs.
Chatham-Kent plans to purchase up to 1,000 gas monitors to distribute to residents free of charge for home (indoor air) monitoring in the community of Wheatley. The gas monitors will be made available to the community to provide a greater level of reassurance as the Wheatley remedial work continues.
