Consrtuction of new Ojibway Nature Centre in Ojibway Park, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

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

December 22, 2009

The natural look of granite blocks will be married with cedar and glass to reflect the colors and elements of the prairie landscape in the new Ojibway Nature Centre. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2010.

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 construction 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, an attached space for picnics 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.

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

before and after view of building concept from nature centre parking lot

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.