In the summer we embarked on a new educational initiative: renovating the garage area of the Nature Centre into a classroom. This would create a four-season educational and meeting venue that will be used to deliver Discovery Program activities, environmental education for school groups, and it could be used for small gatherings.

We’ve done the dirty work. Our volunteers have torn out the walls and flooring such that new wiring, plumbing, and insulation can be installed.

We’ve raised some money. Recall that we produced a video which nicely outlines our project - click here to watch it. We also applied for and were offered an opportunity to conduct a 50:50 raffle at the Applefest Car Show. This raised $787 for the project. Through our website and social media platforms, we’ve attracted some generous donations, now totaling $1200.

We’re planning the new space. Given the complexities of renovating an old garage and tying in the services (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) with the other parts of the building, we thought it wise to consult with a professional, and to this end we are meeting with an architect at the end of November.

What’s our timeline for completion? We envision that the architect will give us some workable ideas for how to best achieve our goals, and that contractors and our volunteers will commence work just after the first of the new year.  We anticipate that the work will be completed within a few months, at which point we will be purchasing appropriate furniture and AV equipment. The new classroom should be in operation sometime in the spring of 2026.

How can you help? If you’ve renovated before, you realize that it is a costly process. While we have committed some funds to the project and have raised money through the raffle and our website/social media campaigns, any contribution that you can make will be much appreciated - donations can be made via the Canada Helps donation form on our website. Thanks for your continued support of environmental education and for all that you do to help with our projects.