Contact(s)
Do you know a Guelph Lake kid - or were you one yourself? Since 1982, the Guelph Lake Nature Centre has offered curriculum-based, hands-on outdoor education programs to more than 600,000 people from Guelph, Wellington County and beyond. These programs are vital to shaping our environmental values and kids' sense of wonder in the world.
The current Centre, located on Conservation Road, was once a single family home. Every year, up to six classes per day visit; with so many people coming through our doors, the building has reached the end of its useable lifespan.
The new Centre will be located within Guelph Lake Conservation Area, less than one kilometre away. It will do more than just provide a purpose-built place for kids to learn: it will offer our entire community a new environmental hub for active living and nature programs. With the City of Guelph expanding rapidly, Guelph Lake is no longer far away - it's at your doorstep!
The redesign of the new facility maintains an emphasis on accessible outdoor spaces and incorporates the importance of new technology and evolving trends in outdoor education. None of this would be possible without the generous contributions of our donors and the strong support for outdoor education in Guelph and Wellington County.
To date, work completed at the new Guelph Lake Nature Centre and Learning Grounds includes the pollinator gardens, a pond, an outdoor classroom and nature trails. We are currently working to finalize the detailed design of the building with a goal of proceeding to tender the project in the late summer of 2023.
The support of many generous supporters and volunteers is leading us to great success!
"Guelph Lake is such a huge part of our community and our family. It's exciting to see so many community leaders step up and help support the Grand River Conservation Foundation in building this new facility." - Susan Frasson, Honourary Campaign Chair Family
What's Happening at the Site?
Throughout 2019 and 2020, teams of volunteers blazed a new 850-metre trail in the forest area that will be only steps away from the future Centre. The trail will feature nodes such as a frog pond, forest play area and water features for visitors and students to pause and learn from.
Students enrolled in Conestoga's College's Heavy Construction Equipment Operation program participated in building the road access, bus turnaround and parking lot for the new centre as their year-end project. Watch the video to see big changes!
If you would like more information or are interested in making a donation, please contact the Foundation.