The Wellington Catholic School Board (WCDSB) has found a new home in Guelph.
Finding a new building has been 30 odd years in the making, said Michael Glazier, WCDSB director of education.
The building at 255 Speedvale Ave. W. is what WCDSB is calling its Catholic Education Centre.
Over a hundred people came to celebrate the opening of the building Wednesday evening.
“When this location became an interest the entire project felt like a giant game of Jenga. There were so many moving pieces, details, complications, rules and regulations, ministry. That at times it seemed that one wrong move or a decision would take it out of our reach. What made the difference was the perseverance, faith and perhaps a touch of stubbornness on the part of our administration,” said Vikki Dupuis, vice-chair of the board, in her remarks.
The location has special meaning to Dupuis because the address was where her father’s business Ryan Mechanical was situated for 10 years in the 1980s.
“My dad was a tremendous advocate for Catholic education. He was a member of the board of governors for Bishop Macdonell when it was the only Catholic high school in Guelph and required total funding by our Catholic community. It seemed more than fitting to me that this site turned out to be the one that became our reality. And I would be lying if I didn't admit to a prayer or two during the process,” Dupuis said.
The previous location for the board were three buildings in Downtown Guelph on Woolwich Street.
Originally WCDSB was situated in a room in St. Agnes School, said Rick Gazzola, a former trustee of over 40 years, in an interview with GuelphToday.
In the 1960s WCDSB moved downtown, he said.
“The coordination to move was no easy feat. As you can see in the other room, we have archives dating back to the 1800s. And let me tell you, we moved every piece of it,” said Tracy McLennan, associate director of corporate services and treasurer for WCDSB, in her speech.
“This is a building that provides accessibility to and for our community. It provides space for public meetings, celebration of students, and professional development of our staff. Most importantly, it is a building with parking,” she said.
When WCDSB was scouting locations, Glazier had brought a couple of staff to the location it's currently in and he said their eyes were big and their jaws had dropped. “We're still in negotiations, you got to stop that right now. I'm not bringing you on any more tours,” he said he remembered he told them.
He knew from that moment this was going to be the home for WCDSB.
Bishop Wayne Lobsinger from the Diocese of Hamilton blessed the building.
“I'm very happy to be here. Very honoured to come and be with you today to bless this new and wonderful building and to be part of this new space, this new chapter in Catholic education here in Wellington,” said Lobsinger, in his remarks.
“And how blessed are you with a new and wonderful building? That is sort of the hub of your whole system. Now, everything comes in and goes out from here,” he said.
