Wheatley bouncing back: Legion set to reopen following 2021 explosion

Legion office in Wheatley that was affected by 2021 explosion reopens. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco looks into how restoration is going.

The anticipation has been building for years - the new $1.5-million dollar Royal Canadian Legion 324 in Wheatley is set to open Tuesday afternoon.

Past President Richard Whittle says it’s been a long road to this moment. “We were getting one step ahead and getting knocked back three but it’s over now. Just thank everybody for it.”

The Legion is the first to rebuild since an explosion stunned the community August of 2021. Whittle hopes they aren’t the last, however, there are a few for sale signs in the area.

“Once we built a $1.5 million dollar building maybe other people start buying lots and building too because they’ll have more faith in Wheatley,” Whittle said.

The six-thousand square foot building has the same space available for patrons as the old one on Erie Street had, except everything is on one floor, making it more accessible.

Memorabilia from the old building was preserved and is proudly on display.

Alongside various facilities improvements, the space has a bar that can serve two rooms, with room is separated by retractable doors, and 17 dart boards allowing the club to host tournaments.

Outside, the legion has something that was on the wish list for many, “Everybody’s been asking for an outside patio, which we got one now. The other place, we didn’t have room,” Whittle said.

“How exciting for everyone,” said Erika Renwick, who owns Renny’s The Village Smokehouse with her husband Mike. “Everything around is coming together and I feel like it is going forward instead of staying stagnant.” On Monday, they started work on expanding their patio on Talbot Road to Erie Street.

“We’ve noticed we’re getting busier,” said Renwick. “We’ve got Hogs (for Hospice) this year (at the end of July) and we’ve got Fish Fest (this weekend) so we need that space.”

They will have the extra space available early this fall.

Wheatley resident Doug Walker appreciates what the Renwicks are doing. “Man, it’s happening. He’s investing his own money in this. I think it’s terrific. We just gotta keep moving ahead.”

Residents understand there is a process but some would like to see the momentum continue with movement on the park land on the east side of Erie Street.

On Bowman Trail, there is a steel park bench that reads, ‘Get The Town Going,” which is fitting for a town moving forward from a loss.

“We’ve really needed a positive spin around here for a long time,” said Brett Bowman, manager of Bowman Feed & Supply.

“We really want the park to get moving along,” said Bowman, “great ideas they had come forth but we also have to start showing some progress too on that front.”

Attempts to contact multiple officials with the municipality of Chatham-Kent to ask about the status of the park project were unsuccessful.