Two more months. Just two more months.
It’s taken 10 years and a projected $10 million to near completion of the Sikh temple on Clair Road. And had it not been for the pandemic, the gurudwara would have already opened its doors to the community.
Currently, the building structure — which resembles a ship that signifies holding and carrying humanity — is almost complete and requires some finishing touches in the interior of the building.
While ongoing conduction did not stop, it certainly slowed down as a result of a safety directive issued by the province two months ago.
Guelph Sikh Society spokesperson Dr. Ravi Rai said adding the finishing touches (such as installing toilet seats and the carpet in the prayer area) will take another two months.
“We’re telling all the workers to come back and start working but they have to maintain a two-metre social distance,” said Rai.
“We’re not using too much staff but people are still scared to come in and work.”
He said while the much-anticipated inauguration of the Gurudwara is delayed, the priority of the Guelph Sikh Society has always been to help humanity. And so last week, the Sikh community in Guelph raised $11,000 to donate to the Guelph General Hosptial.
“We are not sad. Calamities happen. The community is safe, people are safe, we’re just delayed a little bit,” said Rai adding that the Guelph Sikh Society has continued to encourage its community to donate funds and blood to help as much as possible.
“I know we are very enthusiastic about it but this is a national calamity and has happened everywhere. Nothing is worth more than human life.”
Rai said the board of directors has been extremely happy with the result of the project.
He said the Guelph Sikh Society has seen immense ongoing financial and moral support throughout the decade from community members in Guelph,other cities, and the committed 19 board members throughout the project.
He said while it will be difficult to celebrate the opening of the Gurudwara in the coming months, the centre plans on hosting a soft launch in November to commemorate the birthday of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak.
