Wheatley, Ontario
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Wheatley is a community in the Canadian province of Ontario, within the municipality of Chatham-Kent. It lies about 12 kilometers (7 miles) east of Leamington. Nearby parks include Two Creeks Conservation Area, Kopengaron Woods Conservation Area, and Point Pelee National Park, along with Rondeau Provincial Park being only a half-hour's drive to the east. It also boasts Wheatley Provincial Park, home to the endangered Blue Racer snake, which can only be found in the park as well as the Point Pelee National Park, and Pelee Island.
The town has a few beaches, and the Camper's Cove Campsite and beach as well as Holiday Harbour. It lies on former Highway 3. The town's population before merging with Chatham-Kent in 1998 was roughly 1,500. It is now about 1,700.
Wheatley is the primary community of license for CHWI, a television station more popularly associated with the city of Windsor.
Wheatley's sign proudly proclaims it as the "Freshwater Fish Capital of the World" and has a large fishing port located on Lake Erie. It is home to the famous Omstead's fishery, a Canadian company founded in the town which still harbors its family. It has also been named on many occasions 'most millionaires per capita in Canada', a title due to the small population vs the small group of millionaires, mostly fishermen and Omstead family members.
Hike Metal Products; a boat repair/fabricating company based in the habour, is the maker of the Maid of the Mist, the ferry boat used at Niagara Falls for the tours under the great Canadian waterfall.
The small town celebrates the annual Fish Festival during the summer, St. John The Baptist Celebration, a Santa Claus Parade, outdoor summer concerts and Two Creeks Conservation Area and other community events.
Wheatley has one public school which hosts many different activities and sports. Wheatley has minor and senior soccer sponsored by the Chatham-Kent Police. Wheatley's only arena lies directly behind the public school and is NHL approved. Wheatleys' skating lessons are highly acclaimed and are recommended by nearby towns such as Leamington. Wheatley's public school has undergone major restorations since it was flooded in summer 2006.
Wheatley's downtown is home to its most famous restaurant "The Lucky Wok" and "The Car Barn". Other buildings include: Post Office, Library, Bank, Mac's Milk, Martan's store, Drug Store, among others. a Church, an LCBO. It is also home to internet sites http://www.jimaging.net (photo related) and http://www.tourneytracker.net (poker related) Kim's Convenience is here as well. Downtown is building a new grocery store as of 2006. Wheatley's Remembrance Day takes place on library grounds as does other ceremonies.
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