Guelph Lake Nature Centre and Centennial Projects
From left: GRCA deputy CAO & secretary treasurer Karen Armstrong, GRCA chair John Challinor II, Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White, Rotary Club of Guelph Centennial Project co-chair Carolyn Weatherson, Rotary Club of Guelph Charitable Foundation Chair Lawrie Jones, GRCF director Paul Salvini, Guelph-Eramosa CAO Ian Roger.
In 2020, the Rotary Club of Guelph proudly celebrated 100 years of service above self. To mark this historic milestone, the Club committed to a Centennial Project designed to uplift our community and create a lasting legacy. This ambitious initiative was built on four meaningful elements, each supporting active living, environmental stewardship, family connection, and lifelong learning.
The first and cornerstone element of the Centennial Project was Rotary’s commitment to support the construction of the new Guelph Lake Nature Centre in partnership with the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA). Just completed in 2025, the Centre now serves as a vibrant hub for schools, families, youth, and community groups to connect with nature, welcoming an anticipated 200,000 visitors annually. It will act as a gathering place for park visitors, a warming centre, and a home for popular programs such as Learn to Ski and Star Walks. With modern, flexible learning spaces, the Nature Centre will support hands-on environmental education for more than 20,000 young people each year.
The second component, completed in 2020, is the trail within the 100-acre Rotary Forest - a diverse forest planted by Rotarians and volunteers over 13 years. This scenic trail showcases beautiful natural features with thoughtfully designed amenities—including benches, interpretive signage, directional markers, and kiosks to enhance accessibility, comfort, and learning along the route.
The third element of the Centennial Project is the Rotary City Link Trail, completed in 2022 and already well used by the community. This trail supports families seeking affordable outdoor recreation, dog-walkers, fitness enthusiasts, newcomers to Canada, and groups enjoying hiking, cycling, and nature photography. The 1.8 km scenic route follows the Speed River for part of its length and features a 2.4-metre-wide, all-weather, fully accessible surface that seamlessly connects the city’s trail network to the dam.
The fourth and final component, now in the planning stage, is an exciting education-focused outdoor observatory space. Developed in collaboration with the GRCA and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (Kitchener Centre), this unique facility will inspire curiosity and scientific literacy for youth and adults alike. In an age of increasing light pollution, too few people have the opportunity to truly experience the night sky. This Centennial Gift to the Community will allow residents of Guelph to look through telescopes and witness the wonders of the universe—often prompting the universal reaction: “Oh wow!”
By sparking interest in astronomy and space science, the observatory will open doors for learning, imagination, and future careers in science and exploration. With thousands of Canadians already contributing to space research this project has the potential to expand that legacy and inspire the next generation.
All Rotarians can take pride in this remarkable, award-winning Centennial Project—an enduring gift that will educate, inspire, and be enjoyed for generations to come.