County purchases school board properties in Guelph for future office, parking needs
GUELPH – The County of Wellington has purchased three Guelph properties for just over $5.5 million from the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) for future office and parking needs.
The purchase of 59, 69 and 75 Woolwich Street was announced in a joint news release on May 4.
The release states the board has worked to consolidate its Catholic Education Centre’s property holdings at 59, 69 and 75 Woolwich Street “to create operational efficiencies and address accessibility in an alternative location.”
The availability of the properties was circulated to the requisite government agencies in compliance with Regulation 444/98.
During this process, the County of Wellington, which currently holds the property at 74 Woolwich Street, expressed an interest in purchasing the three properties, the press release states.
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A bylaw to authorize the purchase of 59, 69, and 75 Woolwich Street in Guelph was approved by Wellington County council on June 30, 2022.
The two parties have since negotiated a final agreement to solidify the purchase.
“The county purchased the properties for $5,560,000 and plans to utilize the space for future office space and parking,” the release states.
In response to an email from the Advertiser seeking more information on plans for the property, communications manager Andrea Ravensdale stated county council "has not approved any finalized plans, concepts or timelines at this time.”
The release states the WCDSB is “looking forward to moving to a new Catholic Education Centre that offers greater accessibility and efficiencies for the public and staff.”
WCDSB communications and community engagement staffer Ali Wilson told the Advertiser the new centre will be located at 225 Speedvale Avenue in Guelph.
"After an extensive search, we have found a space for a new Catholic Education Centre that addresses current needs and future growth ... and we anticipate moving into the new location for September. The transition to our new space will occur over a number of months and we will be communicating more information about this new location and timelines in advance of our move. We are very excited about the prospects of this move and the benefits of accessibility features and efficiencies that the new location will provide," Wilson stated.
