Heritage Awards to Kick Off Heritage Week 2025

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Heritage Week is celebrated annually across Ontario during the third week of February, this year falling on February 17 to 23 with Federal Heritage Day kicking off the event on February 17. Heritage Week provides a wonderful opportunity for individuals and communities to celebrate contributions to heritage conservation in Ontario, through preservation, promotion and commemoration of heritage resources to help shape the future and tell stories of the past. We celebrate our heritage this year by recognizing the efforts of those who have invested in protecting and enhancing heritage in our community for future generations.

Heritage Awards

Heritage Centre Wellington, an Advisory Committee to Township Council, presented the following awards on February 11, 2025:

Heritage Property Conservation Award

177 Chalmers St, Elora | Shawn Barnes & Tanya Chapman, Owners | Wyminga Building Company Inc., Contractor

This 2-storey red brick, Queen Anne style dwelling was constructed in 1896. In 2024, the verandah and round portico turret were rehabilitated (originally installed in 1910). This feature is a visual anchor within the surrounding streetscape. This award recognizes the homeowners for their ongoing efforts in preserving the home’s historical character, and the high-quality work undertaken by Wyminga Building Company Inc. Numerous renovations have been carried out on the property, both interior and exterior, helping to preserve it into the future.

Heritage Property Restoration Award

265 St. David St S, Fergus | Renata Sergejew, Owner | Fryett Turner Architects, Project Architect

This 2-storey Georgian style cut stone building was originally built for James Argo as a home, known as “Allargue”, sometime between 1867 and 1883. It was also owned by several prominent local families, including the Argo, Beatty, and McGregor families. It served many uses over the years, including a private residence, nursing home, bed and breakfast, and bridal shop. This award is to recognize efforts of the current owner in the restoration of the front façade, which included the removal of a large 2-Storey front porch addition that covered much of the original stone façade.

Heritage Property Conservation Award

199 Garafraxa St E, Fergus | Ian Borrell & Jill Mathieson, Owners

This 1.5-storey Victorian style dwelling was built in 1888 of cut stone. This award is to recognize the owners efforts in maintaining the historic character of the home through ongoing maintenance and repair, including the recent replacement of features with heritage appropriate materials, such as rounded eavestroughs.

Heritage Property Conservation Award

24 Henderson St, Elora | Christa Niravong & Frederick Schuett, Owners | Castle Masonry, Contractor

This Gothic Revival style building, formerly known as Chalmers Church, was constructed in 1888 of rubblestone. The building now operates as a residence and office of local business “One Axe Pursuits”. This award is to recognize the efforts of the owners and contractor in restoring the stonework on a portion of the front façade.

Heritage Stewardship Award

Gorge Cinema, 43 Mill St W, Elora | Payton Curtis, Business Owner

The Gorge Cinema has operated within the prominent historic building at 43 Mill St W since it’s inception. In 2024, it celebrated its 50^th year in the cinema business. It has become an important cultural icon in the Village of Elora and beyond. Though it has changed hands several times over the years, it is known for being “Canada’s longest continuously running repertory cinema”, screening independent and art films in Elora’s historic downtown core since 1974.

Heritage Property Restoration Award

27-43 Mill St W, Elora | Kat Florence Canada Company Limited, Owner

The Commercial Hotel (circa 1848-1870) served as the centre of Elora’s cultural, economic and political life. It was the first building on Mill Street and the first hotel in the village. This award recognizes the owner for their investment in the restoration of this significant heritage resource.

Heritage Professionals Award

27-43 Mill St W Restoration Project Team

The Heritage Professionals Award is presented to the team involved with this restoration project, specifically: Centrix Homes, Tacoma Engineers Inc., B.E.N. Stoneworks Ltd, Martin Simmons Sweers (MSS) Architects, and MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson (MHBC) Planning Limited. The restoration included: reinstatement of the original roofline, front façade and balcony, restoration of the original exterior stonework, and extensive interior renovations, to bring new life to the building and extend its life well into the future.

Heritage Professional Tradesperson Award

Bill Wyminga, Wyminga Building Company Inc.

This award is to recognize Bill Wyminga, owner of Wyminga Building Company Inc., for his skilled work on numerous heritage buildings throughout Centre Wellington, such as 177 Chalmers Street, 176 North Queen Street and 310 Union Street East. Bill has spent more than twenty years working in the building industry, specializing in historic structures and earning a reputation for excellence and integrity in the community.

Congratulations to all of the 2025 Award Recipients!

Applications are now being accepted for the Community Heritage Grant Program!

The program is designed to assist designated property owners in their heritage conservation efforts by providing financial assistance, under certain terms and conditions. Designated property owners may qualify for up to $10,000 in matching grants. Please visit www.centrewellington.ca/heritage for more information, and to fill out an application. Applications are due by March 31, 2025, to be considered for a grant in 2025.

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For more information:

Hannah Barclay

Digital Media Associate

Township of Centre Wellington | 1 MacDonald Square, Elora, ON N0B 1S0

519.846.9691 x221