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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.
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 Gold Candidate under the "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) Green Building Rating System (link to LEED web site).
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 concept from Matchette Road
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