Could a gravel pit owned by U of G become a new science centre?

CTV’s Ashley Bacon takes a look at what the future could hold as advocates push for a new use for an aggregate site.

A University of Guelph owned gravel pit has been shortlisted as a potential site for a future science centre.

The Mill Creek gravel pit, located in Puslinch, is leased for aggregate extraction.

The lease to a mining company is set to expire in 2028.

This has left some people wondering about the pit’s future.

“The last we heard from [the university] back in November was that they have not yet come up with the plan for how they’re going to make decisions for the future of this site. So as far as we understand, we’re not out of the running as a possible use of this land but no decisions have been made and it’s not clear what their timeline is,” said Joanne O’Meara, the founder of Royal City Science.

Royal City Science said the group has been trying to engage the university in conversations about their plans and said a new science centre would be a great option.

“We believe this would be an incredible location. The proximity that for one, there are over 8 million Ontarians within a 90 minute drive of this location, that’s projected to be 11 million by 2051. And so this is a great spot for this kind of tourism,” said O’Meara.

A local environmental group, Mill Creek Stewards, wants the university to take some responsibility in how the land has been used in the last three decades.

Director John McNie said the university should use the land for environmental research.

“We’re not out for the university. What we’re trying to do is stop the university from shooting itself in the foot over and over and over again,” said McNie.

He said the science centre at the location is the best option to move forward with.

“It’s something they could be tied to. It could be something that they’re sending students and faculty to work out of. Just seems like such a win-win situation, you just wonder why they’re not jumping on board and saying, ‘Yeah, absolutely,‘” said McNie.

According to a spokesperson with the University of Guelph, the site is leased to Dufferin Aggregates who is responsible for extraction and meeting the provincial regulatory requirements associated with restoration and rehabilitation of the lands.

With respect to future land use, the university claimed it is not working with any one organization at this time.

“The university is planning to undertake a comprehensive review of the land in the coming years so that it is well positioned to make informed, forward-looking decisions that balances environmental, economic, and social considerations while helping the university to achieve its academic and research mission. The University of Guelph has publicly committed that it will not pursue further aggregate extraction once this previously committed project is complete,” said a statement from the university.

The university also noted 266 acres have been progressively rehabilitated. More than 5,000 trees and shrubs were planted between 2022 and 2023.

“Dufferin Aggregates projects that the final phase of extraction and subsequently, the final phase of rehabilitation, will be completed by 2028/29,” said the university.

O’Meara said the area where they want to build the science centre has already been extracted.

“The idea of once the extraction is finished, to be able to turn this into a facility that really honours our two main mandates as a post-secondary institution, education and research, that would be an incredible opportunity for the university and it would really distinguish it from it’s competitors in the Southwestern post-secondary landscape,” said O’Meara.