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Nature At Your Doorstep! Campaign for the Guelph Lake Nature Centre
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. Demand for programs is higher than the current Centre can accommodate.
About the New Centre
The new Centre will be located within Guelph Lake Park, less than one kilometer 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 Centre will include four purpose-built learning areas which may be expanded to accommodate larger groups, multi-purpose space for park visitors and community groups to gather, a room to care for resident animals and indoor-outdoor learning spaces for people of all ages - all with a beautiful view of Guelph Lake. In addition to 20,000 students per year, about 200,000 park visitors can make use of this unique space. The Centre is anticipated to open in fall 2020.
The Campaign
Our goal is $2.5 million and more than $2 million has been raised to date. 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
Campaign Highlights
- February 23 marked the first star party at Guelph Lake! Through the Rotary Club of Guelph's outstanding $600,000 Centennial contribution, the new Centre will include opportunities to gaze at the night skies over Guelph Lake. Leading up to the opening the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will offer experiences that showcase planets, stars and galaxies - a whole new dimension of learning about the outdoors! Check out GRCA's Events calendar to find the next date.
- For the sixth year, the Centre was a recipient of the proceeds of the Wellington Catholic District School Board Bishop's Dinner, held on October 4. The WCDSB has been a program partner since the 1980s, ensuring that every elementary student visits the Centre at least once a year. To date the dinners have contributed $100,000 to the campaign!
- In November students from Beyond Borders, a joint program of the Upper Grand and Wellington Catholic District School Boards presented a cheque for $2,173 during a chilly visit to the current Centre. 2018 marks the third year that the program, which offers Grade 12 students a broad range of leadership opportunities, has visited Guelph Lake to help develop environmental solutions.
- In September about $30,000 was raised at the BBQ and Barn Bash featuring Ted Reader the BBQ King, hosted by our Honourary Chair Family. 200 guests feasted on delicious barbeque and danced the night away to benefit the Centre. Thank you to all of our donors and sponsors!
What's Happening at the Site?
Throughout 2019, teams of volunteers are blazing a new 650-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.
In May and June, students enrolled in Conestoga's College's Heavy Construction Equipment Operation program will complete the road access, bus turnaround and parking lot for the new centre as their year-end project. Watch the video to see big changes!
Other donations include:
- $200,000 from the Estate of Gil Henderson, a passionate conservationist with a 50-year record of support for GRCA outdoor education and forestry programs as well as agencies such as Ducks Unlimited and the Tim Horton's Charitable Foundation. Gil's contributions were profiled in the July 2017 issue of GRCA Grand Actions.
- $50,000 from SC Johnson & Son Canada of Brantford, a longtime GRCA and GRCF supporter and significant contributor to projects throughout the Grand River watershed and beyond.
- $25,000 from Stantec, who also helped blaze trails at their Stantec in the Community Day in September 2018.
- $2,250 from the AO Smith Foundation, bringing their total contributions to more than $15,000.
Want to hold a fund raiser for the Centre? We can help. Or Make a contribution today!
For more information about recognition options, including naming opportunities for donors of $25,000 or more, please contact Sara Wilbur.
Volunteers have played a big role in getting the Centre's learning grounds ready - get involved! Opportunities at other GRCA locations are also available.
Want to Get Outside?
The Guelph Lake Nature Centre offers a wide array of Adventure Day Camps for children and young adults looking to connect with nature in fun and exciting ways. Check out our day camps or other outreach programs at the Centre, such as environmental birthday parties!
