Discover

'Wheatley' is a small town in Southwestern 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. As well, Rondeau Provincial Park is 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 on 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 as a large fishing port located on Lake Erie. It is home to the famous Omstead's fishery, a Canadian company founded in the town that still harbours its family. It has also been named, on many occasions, 'most millionaires per capita' in Canada.
Hike Metal Products, a boat repair/fabricating company based in the harbour, 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, Two Creeks Conservation Area events, 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 arena lies directly behind the public school and is NHL-approved. Wheatley's skating lessons are highly acclaimed by nearby towns such as Leamington.
Wheatley's downtown is home to its most famous restaurant, "The Lucky Wok", and to "The Car Barn". Other buildings include the Post Office, Library, Bank, Mac's Milk, Martan's Store, and the Drugstore. The delightful Penny's Sense of Cents Gift Store is a favorite with locals and tourists year round. It is also home to internet sites http://www.jimaging.net (photo- related) and http://www.tourneytracker.net (poker-related. Wheatley's Remembrance Day events take place on the library grounds, as do other ceremonies.