Waterdown, Ontario

Waterdown is a town in Canada which since 2001 has been a community of Hamilton, Ontario.

On January 1 2001 the new city of Hamilton was formed from the amalgamation of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth and its six municipalities: Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook, and Stoney Creek. Before amalgamation, the "old" City of Hamilton had 331,121 Hamiltonians divided into 100 neighbourhoods. The new amalgamated city has 490,268 people in over 200 neighbourhoods.cite book|title=Footsteps In Time: Exploring Hamilton's heritage neighbourhoods|first=Bill |last=Manson |publisher=North Shore Publishing Inc|year=2003|isbn=1-896899-22-6]

Waterdown was created from that part of East Flamborough Township on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, just east of the junction of King's Highways Nos. 5 and 6. That intersection is known as Clappison's Corners, but continuous residential and commercial buildings between the two communities make it difficult to see any difference.

Community institutions include:
* [http://www.hwdsb.on.ca/waterdown Waterdown District High School]
* [http://www.hwdsb.on.ca/aagreenleaf/ Allan A. Greenleaf Public School]
* [http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/fp/ Flamborough Review (merged with the Flamborough Post)]
* [http://www.ymcahb.on.ca/flamInfo.htm Flamborough Family YMCA]
* [http://www.3rdwaterdownscouting.org 3rd Waterdown Scouting]
* [http://www.villagetheatrewaterdown.ca Village Theatre Waterdown] Waterdown is also home to Bethel CRC.In 1974, it was amalgamated with East Flamborough, West Flamborough and Beverly townships to form the Town of Flamborough in the newly minted Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth. In 2001, Hamilton-Wentworth and all its former municipal federation members were abolished and replaced by an amalgamated City of Hamilton.

Waterdown is expanding greatly, with the recent addition of a YMCA and several commercial establishments. Because of the approval of new homes in Waterdown - at least 6,500 more houses in the near future - there are ongoing discussions regarding the planned $50 million 'Waterdown By-Pass', which would allow for easier access across the city. Waterdown population growth was approximately 28.9% over the years 1996 and 2001.

Waterdown District High School (WDHS) has faced an enrollment crisis and has recently voted to expand its facilities to neighbouring Allan A. Greenleaf Public school. The transition is expected to be finalized once a new public school is constructed for the displaced Greenleaf students.

Amalgamation

Months before Waterdown's amalgamation into Hamilton, the residents of the town were heavily contesting Premier Mike Harris' push to include Waterdown into Hamilton. Due to Waterdown's location as a "sandwich town", resting between Burlington and Hamilton, residents argued that Hamilton would not extend the services the city residents get out to Waterdown, such as bus routes.Talkfact Along with this, Burlington had expressed some interest in amalgamating the town into its city - this idea was favoured by the Waterdown residents due to a collection of issues:

* Burlington's geographic location is closer to Waterdown than Hamilton, and parts of Burlington (Aldershot + Kerncliff Park) wrap around the south and east ends of the town.
* Burlington promised bus service to Waterdown (two of the bus routes reached the eastern edge of Waterdown).

However, despite the residents' attempts to sway the Conservative Ontario government otherwise, Waterdown was amalgamated into Hamilton. This prompted the elected MPP at the time, Conservative Toni Skarica, to resign from his position - which shocked many, mostly because he ran (and won) on the platform of keeping the town unamalgamated, and vowed to resign if the Conservatives amalgamated with Hamilton. He gained a brief local celebrity status during that time because of his surprising honesty. As of 2006, Toni is employed as an Assistant Crown Attorney serving Hamilton. [cite news|title=GARDINER AT 'HIGH RISK' TO OFFEND; CROWN TELLS JUDGE IT'S IN HIS HANDS TO PROTECT WOMEN FROM SLASHER'S ESCALATING CRIMES|accessdate=2008-08-22|publisher=Hamilton Spectator, The (ON)|date=2006-06-06|author=Barbara Brown|page=Section Local, A05]

Natural Attractions

Waterdown, and its associated Great Falls, (also called Grindstone Falls or Smokey Hollow Falls), are located on the Bruce Trail System in Ontario. Many national and regionally rare flora species grow in the natural areas of Waterdown.The Smokey Hollow falls were originally part of a sawmill when the town was founded, operation stopped in 1912. Today, only ruins of the mill remain, although a lookout over the falls and a signboard detailing the history of the area is in place.cite web|publisher=(www.cityofwaterfalls.ca) from Joe Hollick's list| title =Hamilton- Waterfall Capital of the World| url=http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/| accessdate = 2008-08-22]

Furthermore, Waterdown also has many wetland trails in the eastern end of town which are well marked and have informational signage.cite book| title = Hamilton Waterfalls and Cascades: Research & Inventory Report, 2nd Edition| publisher = Hamilton Conservation Authority| date = November 2007| pages = 22-44]

Other Attractions

Tourists may come to Waterdown in October and November to visit the Rotary Haunted House which has been in operation for 16 years (as of 2008). Until 2006 this haunted house was operated by the Rotary Club of Waterdown, and is now operated by the Rotary Club of Hamilton.

Also of interest are several historical buildings which remain from the founding of the town, these include the American House, the library, the Rotary (originally the town hall), and several private residences.

Waterdown is also home to local community institutions such as Pickwick Books, Red Sky Design, Waterdown Cycle and the Waterdown Legion.

Waterdown is also home to a hockey arena, North Wentworth Community Centre & Arena, which is home of the "Flamborough Hockey Association."cite web|url=http://www.hamiltonhockey.com/|title=Hamilton Arenas Listing|accessdate=2008-08-22] cite web|url=http://www.arenamaps.com/arenas/Ontario_city.htm|title=Arenas Maps: Ontario|accessdate=2008-08-22]

Famous residents

*Todd Harvey, (1975- ), Retired NHL hockey player. Also had a successful junior career, which included being the captain of the Canadian team at the World Junior Hockey Championships.cite book|title=The Canadian Hockey Atlas|first=Stephen|last=Cole|publisher=Doubleday Canada|year=2006|id=ISBN 978-0-385-66093-8 (0-385-66093-6)]

Photo Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.waterdown-rotary.net/ Rotary Club of Waterdown]
* [http://www.foodinc.ca/Ontario/Waterdown/ Waterdown Accommodation Listing]
* [http://www.agentinhamilton.com/Waterdown_Real_Estate/page_1787981.html Waterdown Real Estate Listing]
* [http://www.foodinc.ca/Ontario/Waterdown/ Waterdown Restaurants Guide]