Activists, conservationists pushing for heritage designation on former Guelph prison
The site where a former prison in Guelph sits will soon be up for sale, but the local activists and conservationists are pushing the city for a heritage designation for the old reformatory.
The Ontario Reformatory was built in 1910 on 1,000 acres of land and was known as the Guelph Correctional Centre until it closed in 2001.
“It was built by the prisoners. They quarried their own stone to build their own prison,” said Brian Skerrett, chair of Heritage Guelph.
The province owns the majority of the land, while the rest of it is city-owned and privately owned.
Under the city's recommendation for heritage designation, buildings like the prison would be protected.
“We want to endorse that but it doesn’t go far enough,” said Skerrett.
There about 40 buildings on site.
The City of Guelph wants to save eight. Heritage Guelph thinks all 40 should be protected until they can be further examined.
Heritage Guelph is lobbying for what would be considered a category five designation, which is the next level up from what the city is proposing.
“Basically puts an umbrella over everything and allows the examination prior to distraction,” said Skerrett.
The environmental conservation organization, Yorklands Green Hub, agrees with Heritage Guelph.
The non-profit group is particularly focused on protecting the front 70 acres. The trails in the area are open to the public and frequented often, especially during the pandemic, according to the group.
“If you look at the area, the field, the rivers, the ponds, the walls, they all interact to create the views and vistas,” said David Alton with Yorklands Green Hub.
The group said they will continue to fight to save the area.
“We are currently working with the Coalition to Protect the Ontario Reformatory Lands to encourage members of the community to delegate at the June 14 meeting,” said Alton.
City council will vote at a June 14 council meeting after hearing from delegates including Yorklands Green Hub and Heritage Guelph. The city said if it is approved, there's still a long process before anything is final.
“Residents and interested stakeholders could submit any issues that they have with the designation. Following that we would bring a bylaw forward to council if there are no objections,” said Melissa Aldunate, the Manager of Policy Planning and Urban Design with the City of Guelph.
“Infrastructure Ontario (IO) manages the former Guelph Correctional Centre property on behalf of the government. It is not currently for sale, but in the early stages of required due diligence. This includes working with the City of Guelph regarding the heritage attributes of the property," Jeff Given, a spokesperson for Infrastructure Ontario, said in an email.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.