Groundbreaking ceremony celebrates donors, partners, and community.
Lake Simcoe Watershed – March 31, 2025 – The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation, alongside valued guests, celebrated the start of construction of a new Nature Centre at Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony.
The event welcomed:
- Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor James Leduc and members of Council
- Barrie Councillor and Authority Chair, Claire Riepma, Oro-Modento Mayor and Vice Chair, Randy Greenlaw, and Board members
- Conservation Foundation Board President, Brad Rogers and Board members
- BDA Inc President, Lewis Cowan
- Simcoe Muskoka Catholic, York Region, and Simcoe County District School Boards representatives
- Major donors and Conservation Authority staff
The Foundation Board President, Brad Rogers, said, “We are incredibly grateful for the donor support we’ve received, through our Connect Campaign, to help build this new Nature Centre. This marks an exciting new chapter in outdoor education, expanding opportunities for students and the community.”
Conservation Authority CAO Rob Baldwin, added, “Today is the result of years of dedication and collaboration. We extend our deepest thanks to Infrastructure Canada, Paul Sadlon, and all our generous donors and supporters. This new Nature Centre reflects our commitment to environmental education and community engagement.”
The groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of the construction with a goal to complete the new Nature Centre by early 2026.
About the New Nature Centre
The Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation has been actively fundraising to build a new community hub at Scanlon Creek Conservation Area. This centre will welcome 15,000 visitors annually, from kindergarten to grade 12, as well as community members of all ages.
As the home of outdoor education for the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, the new Nature Centre will provide:
- Classrooms and support spaces for school programs.
- Multi-use rooms for professional training, community programs, and meetings.
- A fully accessible, inclusive, energy-efficient, and net-zero carbon building.
- A design that reflects Indigenous culture and connection to the land, offering an immersive learning environment in nature.
This project is supported in part by the Government of Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program.
The Conservation Foundation continues to seek support from both private and public sectors. Contributions, whether in-kind material donations or financial support, will leave a lasting impact on the community and environment.
To learn more about the project and to donate, visit www.scanloncreek.ca.
Our mission is to collaborate to protect and restore the Lake Simcoe watershed with innovative research, policy, and action.
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Media Contact:
Sinem Connor, Senior Communications Advisor
E-Mail: s.connor@lsrca.on.ca
Mobile: 289-763-4507