GUELPH – Wellington County CAO Scott Wilson has been recognized by the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) with the 2022 Carlos Ventin Award for Municipal Heritage Leadership.
The award recognizes elected municipal leaders, municipal staff and appointed representatives who have championed the rehabilitation and/or adaptive reuse of public heritage buildings in their community.
These buildings may include libraries, town halls, city halls, community centres, theatres, schools, and other civic spaces.
Communities of all sizes that have demonstrated a commitment to reviving their heritage structures are eligible for this award.
“During his 24-plus years as the county’s CAO, Scott has championed the rehabilitation of several significant public heritage buildings in Wellington County and the City of Guelph,” stated Wellington County Warden Kelly Linton.
“On behalf of county council and the residents we proudly serve, I want to congratulate and thank Scott for all he has done for the county.”
During amalgamation in the late 1990s, the responsibility for the library system was uploaded to the county.
Wilson championed and oversaw the complete rebuild of the library system, which includes 14 branches that make the Wellington County library system the envy of many across the country, states a press release announcing the award.
The Wellington County library system includes five Carnegie libraries that have been completely restored and adapted while preserving the architectural integrity and heritage of the buildings.
In 2015, Wilson championed the purchase and renovation of a historical residential property in Hillsburgh (circa 1835) and acquisition of the adjacent mill pond.
This property was completely adapted and renovated into a modern public library and community meeting space, including a community kitchen that is used by local businesses and for private functions.
Recently, Wilson encouraged the county to acquire the historical Grist Mill property in Erin where a new library will be built, adapting the mill into a new public library and community space.
ACO officials state Wilson’s leadership in the restoration of historical community properties is not limited to libraries.
He has also championed the rehabilitation of important historical properties in Guelph/Wellington to other public uses, including:
- Dominion Public Building (acquired 2005, renovated 2007). The former Canada Post Office in downtown Guelph was rehabilitated and reimagined into a public facing Social Services office for employment and housing services for Guelph and Wellington residents;
- 129 and 133 Wyndham Street (the Alma Block) in downtown Guelph for public facing social services – including Ontario Works casework and Children’s Early Years services for Guelph and Wellington;
- 129 Wyndham was acquired and renovated in 2002;
- 133 Wyndham was acquired in 2018, renovated in 2019;
- a state-of-the-art archives addition added to Wellington County Museum – the oldest house of industry and refuge in Canada and a National Historic Site; and
- the historic Governor’s residence located on the County Administration Centre property in Guelph – renovated to house the Economic Development office in 2013.
The award honours architect Carlos Ventin, a pioneer in saving historic buildings in Ontario for adaptive re-use.
In 1972, before the practice of saving old buildings was widely accepted, Ventin convinced the Town of Simcoe to save the historic Simcoe Courthouse to accommodate the new municipal offices and library.
Wilson was one of two nominees for the 2022 award. Also nominated was Jo Ann Pynn who has held the position of manager, capital assets in the City of Toronto’s economic and culture division for close to 20 years.
Pynn was nominated for stewardship of numerous City of Toronto heritage properties and adaptive reuse projects.
The award was presented during the 2022 ACO Heritage Awards gala on Oct. 13 at Etobicoke’s historic Assembly Hall.
