New Guelph Lake Nature Centre

The New Guelph Lake Nature Centre Construction is Underway

Construction of the new Guelph Lake Nature Centre (GLNC) at the Guelph Lake Conservation Area is almost complete! The new centre will officially open to students in September 2025!

The new GLNC is located within the Guelph Lake Conservation Area. Along with being a purpose-built place for youth to learn, the GLNC will offer the entire community a new environmental hub for active living and nature programs. 

Thank you to all donors and supporters who have made this project a reality! Read about the ongoing fundraising campaign below.

Along with the GLNC building, the site also includes nature trails, pollinator gardens and dedicated parking.

The new GLNC was designed by +VG Architects, who have been instrumental in keeping project costs to a minimum. The tender for the project was awarded to Dakon Construction at the March 2024, meeting of the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) Board of Directors. 

Campaign Highlights

We are so thankful for all of the support of many generous supporters and volunteers to make this project a reality!

The Grand River Conservation Foundation (GRCF) began fundraising for a new GLNC in the fall of 2010 as part of the ‘Your River, Your Life’ campaign plan.

"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, Honorary Campaign Chair Family

• To celebrate the Rotary Club of Guelph’s 100^th birthday milestone in 2020, the Club made an outstanding Centennial contribution, to support the nature centre and enhance the trail network in Guelph Lake.
• The Centre was the beneficiary of two fundraising events held in fall 2019: the annual River Dinners hosted by The Neighbourhood Group, and the Wellington Catholic District School Board's Bishop's Dinner for Community Needs. Both organizations have longtime ties to stewardship of the environment in our community, each contributing a significant amount towards the GLNC campaign. 
• In 2020, Bob Desautels, founder of The Neighbourhood Group, was honoured for his commitment to protecting our environment. Through the TD Thanks program, TD staff planted trees at the site of the new GLNC in honour of  Bob's grandchildren.
• 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 new GLNC. 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! 

How to Support the New GLNC

Over the next several years, the Grand River Conservation Foundation has prioritized raising funds for the new GLNC to:

• support the construction of the new learning centre
• improve lands surrounding the learning centre
• support and deliver outdoor educational programs at the GLNC for people of all ages

The GRCF remains committed to enhancing and conserving the Grand River watershed through our various public programs and facilities. 

As residents and users of the Grand River watershed, we must unite to help promote stewardship and conservation of these natural spaces that mean so much to us! Visit the GRCF homepage to find out more information about our multiple Conservation Projects and how you can help!

The GRCF is a Canadian registered charity, so your gift is tax-deductible. To make your online donation now, please visit CanadaHelps.

If you would like more information or are interested in making a donation, please contact the Foundation.