In a few weeks, Peak Construction -- which also constructed the new Northumberland County headquarters -- will turn over the Cold Springs Camp Road building to the GRCA and its staff. While the essentials of the building are completed, there is still a lot to do before the official opening in September.
Completed under the watchful eye of its designer, architect Ted Wilson with Aecom (formerly Totten Sims Hubicki), the building has been built to withstand the rigours of the many thousands of students who will make overnight stays during the centre's many years of service.
Fundraising for the $4-million project is still about $500,000 shy. Additional funding is being sought to help mount public teaching displays.
The forest centre started out as a boys' correctional facility in the 1950s. Then it became a Junior Ranger camp. In 1976 it became an outdoor centre and in '78 an outdoor education centre. Over the years, thousands of schoolchildren have been introduced to the Ganaraska Forest and its magic.
The 19,000-square-foot expansion will allow for a 50% increase in the number of children visiting at any one time.
As well, due to a major financial boost from the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation, there will be an information centre in the building open five days a week, operating alongside the Forest Centre facilities.
The information centre will explain to the public the characteristics of the eastern end of the moraine.
When the Forest Centre is not filled with schoolchildren, it will be open for corporate training sessions and other groups, including weddings. The great hall has facilities to serve meals to upwards of 200 people. It has basic sleeping facilities for 80 persons, with a division for male and female students.
GRCA chief administrative officer Linda Laliberte says it is hoped the seclusion and beauty of the forest environment and the impressive centre will establish the facility as a desirable destination and, consequently, as a good source of money that will help the conservation authority refocus some of the funds it relies on from the supporting municipalities to increased programming.
New forest centre design brings the outdoors inside - Northumberland Today - Ontario, CA.
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