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concept drawing of new nature centre

Check back often to learn about the progress of the construction.

 
December 22, 2009 The natural look of granite will be married with cedar and glass to reflect the colors and elements of the prairie landscape in the new Ojibway Nature Centre.

NORR contact link Located in Ojibway Park on the site of the old picnic shelter, the new 8,000 square foot building combines energy saving technologies with excellent design under the direction of NORR Architects Engineers Planners.

“Parks and Recreation is very pleased to have received $1.5 million to replace the 40-year-old Ojibway Nature Centre,” says Don Sadler, Executive Director of Parks. “The existing centre is a converted trailer from St. Clair College that is in serious need of renovation. With the grants from the Federal and provincial governments, we are able to design a much more environmentally friendly building.”

The new centre will feature an expanse of windows on the north side to overlook the woodland, the preservation of the birding garden, a green roof, and a reconfigured parking area with improved space for buses.

Accessibility and energy efficiency are key elements in the new design which is currently under review. Chad Menard, Architect from NORR, is making every effort to use recycled materials such as the granite blocks from the original Ambassador Bridge road bed. The building is a LEED Silver Candidate (What is LEED?).

Ojibway Park and Nature Centre welcome approximately 100,000 visitors per year. There are 621 protected acres in Ojibway Prairie Complex with 9200 metres of maintained trials. The centre will be open year round with ongoing educational programs for adults, youth and pre-schoolers.

Updated information on the construction and photos will be posted to this site. If you have questions or comments please email ojibway@city.windsor.on.ca

view of building concept
View of concept from Matchette Road

 

February 23, 2010 The granite blocks that will be used in the construction of the new nature centre have a long history. They originated from the Blair Quarry in Fairfield County, South Carolina and were used in the construction of the Ambassador Bridge in 1929. Thousands were embedded in sand to provide traction on the five percent grade of the bridge. Forty years later the approach was finally paved and the blocks were donated to the Windsor Parks & Recreation Department. They now grace many of the pathways in Windsor Parks.

view of building concept

view of floor plan

 

May 11, 2010 Construction of the new building will be starting soon. DeAngelis Construction Inc. was selected as the general contractor for the project which is scheduled to be completed by November.

Entry into the existing building will be from the rear ramp door during the construction period. The old building will not be torn down until the new centre is finished.

June 11, 2010 The site has been prepared and fencing erected around the construction area.

June 11, 2010 photo

June 11, 2010 photo

June 21, 2010 The +40 year old picnic shelter was dismantled today.

June 21, 2010 photo

June 22, 2010 Equipment removing topsoil from foundation envelope.

June 22, 2010 photo

June 30, 2010 Foundation work for new building.

June 30, 2010 photo

July 09, 2010 Foundation work and backfilling continues.

July 09, 2010 photo

July 16, 2010 Start of masonry work.

July 16, 2010 photo

July 23, 2010 Load bearing masonry work.

July 23, 2010 photo

July 23, 2010 photo

July 30, 2010 Load bearing masonry work.

July 30, 2010 photo


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