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GUELPH/WELLINGTON – A new Guelph Lake Nature Centre is officially coming, now that the governing board has approved a $2 million tender to get it built.
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) board approved this at a meeting in late March, awarding the contract to Dakon Construction Ltd. at just over $2 million. A report stated a further $500,000 will be needed for contingency and other costs.
The board also approved using $1.1 million from a reserve fund to cover the shortfall as donations for the project totaled $1.4 million.
A plan to build a new Guelph Lake Nature Centre was first introduced and approved in 2011, relocating it from Conservation Road to a new location near the parking area for the main beach within Guelph Lake Conservation Area.
In the fall of 2023, the GRCA board approved putting a downsized version of the project out to tender.
The report said the building is entirely made of wood framing, has a recycled metal roof and is oriented in a way to be energy efficient.
“The redesign of the new Guelph Lake Nature Centre maintains an emphasis on accessible outdoor spaces and incorporates the importance of new technology and evolving trends in outdoor education,” the report stated.
“It integrates the importance of ventilation, and the needs of not only the GRCA’s outdoor environmental education program but also the needs of the Guelph Lake Conservation Area to maximize the use of the building and GRCA funding sources.”
The site has a site plan agreement and permit from the Township of Guelph/Eramosa.
GRCA nature centres offer a variety of programs for schools, families, youth and community groups, intended to foster a connection to nature and enhance environmental understanding.
