GUELPH/ERAMOSA – The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) and the Grand River Conservation Foundation (GRCF) hosted a well attended open house last week to celebrate the completion of the new Guelph Lake Nature Centre (GLNC).
“For many years we’ve worked towards this moment, raising funds, building partnerships and nourishing this idea since 2010,” said Samantha Lawson, CAO of the GRCA, at the Sept. 4 event.
The new nature centre is located at 7743 Conservation Road, adjacent to the Guelph Lake beach.
The site features a new learning centre building equipped with two classrooms, an extensive trail system surrounding the building and an Indigenous garden that will feature plants traditionally used by Indigenous peoples, a pollinator garden and plenty of open space for interactive activities.
“This is a space more than a building ,” said GRCA chair John Challinor.
“It is a place designed to connect people with nature through hands-on learning and meaningful experiences in the outdoors.”
The project began in 2010 with the GRCF’s “your river, your life” campaign.
“I want to begin by extending thanks to the Grand River Conservation Foundation for it’s steadfast support,” said Challinor.
He also thanked “many generous donors” as well as the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB), which he called the “heart” of the GRCA’s outdoor environmental education program.
The original Guelph Lake Nature Centre, located at 7677 Conservation Road, had served the GRCA since 1982, nine years after its started its environmental education program in 1973.
“The GRCA’s been opening doors for young people to connect with nature for more than 50 years,” said Challinor.
“This program has provided preschoolers through to high school students with rich curriculum-based field trips … that not only support learning and art, math, social studies, science and physical education, but also create a lifelong appreciation of the environment.”
GRCF chair Ted Smith said, “Thanks to the generosity of our community, we have raised an incredible $1.9 million in donations to bring this vision to life.
“It speaks volumes about the passion and commitment of our community for conservation, education and the next generation.”
GRCA environmental education specialist Greg Meredith said he is retiring this year, “So it’s deeply meaningful for me to stand here today to witness and take part in this new chapter.”
He added, “It fills me with joy to know that long after I have retired the laughter of children will echo through the trails.
“The excitement of discovery will shine in their eyes and the spirit of Guelph Lake will continue to grow with each new generation.”
Grade 12 St. James Catholic High School student Kieran Sullivan told the crowd, “Guelph Lake has been a big part of my life for the longest time.
“Honestly the trip here every year was the highlight of what education could be. This place has been amazing to me.”
Several organizations and individuals were honoured at the event for their contributions to the project, including:
- The Rotary Club of Guelph and the Rotary Club of Guelph Charitable Foundation for their support as part of their Centennial Project;
- Bob Desautels, the Desautels family and The Neighbourhood Group for their support through their river fundraiser dinners;
- Susan Frasson, the Frasson family and the W.C. Wood Foundation (the Frasson family served as the honorary chair family of the fundraising campaign for more than a decade;
- Don Drone, former WCDSB educator and director of education (a donation was made anonymously in tribute to his decades of dedication to outdoor environmental education and the Guelph Lake Nature Centre); and
- the late Marilyn Murray, who was a driving force behind the GRCF and the fundraising campaign for the new nature centre.
