It’s a dream come true for the Sikh Community of Guelph, which has been working for over a decade toward constructing a purpose-built gurdwara for Guelph’s growing Sikh community.
“Gurdwara is complete,” said Guelph Sikh Society’s spokesperson Dr. Ravi Rai. “We are so happy honestly. We are happy that it is finally done.”
The new building on 410 Clair Rd. is over 15,000 square feet and will serve the needs of the Sikh community for Wellington County and beyond. It replaces the current place of worship in a former Beer Store location at 70 Stevenson St., which has a capacity of 200. The Stevenson Street location has been used by the Sikh community in Guelph since 1995. Prior to that time, Sikh families in Guelph would rent a school to host religious services.
Rai, a veterinarian, said the GSS sees itself moving to the new location within two weeks to a month at the most.
He said the GSS will host a soft opening after they finally move into the new building. They plan on hosting a grand opening for the greater community in the future once COVID restrictions are lifted.
Rai said the new building will be able to accommodate Guelph’s 500 Sikh families. It has a library, an office, a Punjabi school and additional space for community members to host private events.The main hall can also be divided into three smaller halls for community use.
The new gurdwara has been nearly 13 years in the making and cost over $11 million to build. Rai said funds for the project were collected in Guelph and across the GTA for over a decade. As time progressed, the cost of the project also rose. When the project was announced in 2008, the estimated cost was $5.5 million.
The GSS also faced a number of hurdles over the years that included changing builders mid-project, dealing with opposition from a residential group that ended up before the Ontario Municipal Board and, most recently, the pandemic.
“I’m personally very happy that everything went very well. There are no issues with us and everybody is happy,” said Rai.
He said while the gurdwara is primarily used as a religious institution, is it open to people of all beliefs and all faiths.
“Sikh gurdwaras are open to everyone,” said Rai adding that it is important for the community to remember that the consumption of meat and alcohol is prohibited on the premises.
“Anybody can book it for a function they want to do for themselves, religious functions, marriages, small functions they want to do.”
The final stage will be some landscaping around the building.
