Guelph

Guelph
—  City  —
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s): The Royal City
Motto: Faith, Fidelity and Progress
Guelph Location of Guelph in Ontario
Coordinates:
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
County	Wellington County
City Wards	6
Founded	April 23, 1827
Incorporated	April 23, 1879
Government
- Mayor	Karen Farbridge 2006-Present
- Governing Body	Guelph City Council
- MPs	Frank Valeriote (LPC) 2008-Present
- MPPs	Liz Sandals (OLP) 2003-Present
Area
- City	86.72 km2 (33.48 sq mi)
- Urban	78.39 km2 (48.71 sq mi)
- Metro	378.45 km2 (146.12 sq mi)
Elevation	334 m (1,096 ft)
Population (2006)[1]
- City	114,943
- Density	1,325.5/km2 (3,433.2/sq mi)
- Urban	115,635
- Metro	127,009
- Demonym	Guelphite
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Postal code span	N1C, N1E, N1G, N1H, N1K, N1L
Area code(s)	519, 226
Website	City of Guelph website

Guelph (pronounced /ˈɡwɛlf/) is a city located in the Southwestern region of Ontario, Canada. Known as "The Royal City", Guelph is roughly 28 kilometres (17 mi) east of Kitchener-Waterloo and 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of downtown Toronto at the intersection of Highway 6 and Highway 7. It is the seat of Wellington County, but as a separated municipality, the city is not part of the county. As one entity, Guelph and Wellington County have a population of 200,425.^[2]

Because of its low crime rates, clean environment and generally high standard of living, Guelph is consistently rated as one of the country's most livable cities.^[3][4]

History

An 1855 map of Guelph.

Before colonization, the area was considered by the surrounding indigenous communities to be a "neutral" zone. On selected dates members from these communities would meet and trade goods by the Speed River.

Guelph was selected as the headquarters of the Canada Company, a British development firm, by its Canadian superintendent John Galt, a popular Scottish novelist who designed the town to attract settlers to it and to the surrounding countryside.^[5]

Galt designed the town to resemble a European city centre, complete with squares, broad main streets and narrow side streets, resulting in a variety of block sizes and shapes which is still in place today.^[6] The street plan was designed to resemble a lady's fan, many of the streets forming triangles (the segments of the fan). This technique had been used in other planned towns such as Buffalo, New York.^[5] Guelph was founded on St. George's Day, April 23, 1827, the feast day of the patron saint of England.^[6] The town was named to honour Britain's royal family, the Hanoverians, who were descended from the Guelfs, the ancestral family of George IV, the reigning British monarch; thus the nickname The Royal City. The directors of the Canada Company had actually wanted the city to be named Goderich, but reluctantly accepted the fait accompli.

The city is home to the University of Guelph and Sleeman Breweries Ltd.. The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), the oldest part of University of Guelph, began in 1873 as an associate agricultural college of the University of Toronto. Another significant Guelph landmark is the Church of Our Lady Immaculate.

Geography and climate

Topography and water courses

Downtown Guelph is situated above the confluence of the Speed and Eramosa, which have numerous tributaries. The Speed River enters from the north and the Eramosa River from the east; the two rivers meet below downtown and continue southwest. There are also many creeks and rivers creating large tracts of densely forested ravines, and providing ideal sites for parks and recreational trails. The city is built on many drumlins and buried waterways, the most famous being an underground creek flowing below the Albion Hotel, once the source of water used to brew beer.

Climate

The weather and climate of that region of Ontario is moderate in both summer and winter.

Economy

Manufacturing is a leading sector, accounting for 18 per cent of employment.^[8]

The City of Guelph's Economic Development Strategy identified life science, agri-food and biotechnology firms, environmental management and technology companies as growth industries on which to focus economic development activities.^[9]

Guelph's major employers include the University of Guelph, Linamar Corporation, and Sleeman Breweries among others.

Demographics

Guelph is the fourth fastest growing city in Canada with a population growth rate of about 2% per year. Guelph's current population is estimated to be around 127,872 and is projected to have a population around 175,000-195,000 by the year 2027. Population varies throughout the year because of variations in the University of Guelph student population.^[10]

The 2001 census indicates 114,943 people residing in Guelph, of whom 49.1% were male and 50.9% were female. Children under five accounted for approximately 6.2% of the resident population of Guelph, whereas 12.2% of the resident population in Guelph were of retirement age. The average age is 35.7 years of age. In the five years between 1996 and 2001, the population of Guelph grew by 10.7%. Population density of Guelph averaged 310.1 people per square kilometre.

Historically, Guelph's population has been principally British in origin, with 92% in 1880 and 87% in 1921.^[5]

Now, some 10 percent of the resident population described themselves as visible minorities, predominantly South Asian mostly of Afghan, Indian and Pakistani origin: 2.43%, Chinese: 2.42%, Black Canadian/African Canadians: 1.25%, and many others including Filipino and Vietnamese. The city is mostly Christian: 74.17%, almost evenly split among Protestants and Roman Catholics. The largest non-Christian religion is Buddhism: 1.45%, followed by Hinduism.^[11]

Education

There are two public school boards that operate inside the city. The Upper Grand District School Board administers all of Wellington County, as well as adjacent Dufferin County, while the Wellington Catholic District School Board administers Catholic education in Wellington County, including Guelph.

Secondary schools

Due to the presence of two different school boards, Guelph has numerous elementary and secondary schools. The secondary schools are as follows:

Public:

• Centennial C.V.I.
• College Heights C.V.I.
• Guelph C.V.I.
• John F. Ross C.V.I.

Catholic:

• Our Lady of Lourdes C.H.S.
• Saint James C.H.S.
• Bishop Macdonell C.H.S.

Post-secondary institutions

• University of Guelph, one of Canada's top comprehensive universities, and home to the Ontario Agricultural College and the Ontario Veterinary College.
• Conestoga College has a small campus in Guelph.

Public library system

The original Carnegie library in Guelph.

Although a private library had existed since 1832, a public library did not exist in Guelph until 1882, when the Free Libraries Act allowed municipalities to operate libraries. After occupying premises near City Hall, it moved into an Andrew Carnegie-funded building in 1905,^[12] which was eventually demolished in 1964. The current main branch building was opened in 1965.^[13]

Guelph is served by a growing library system composed of a main branch located in the downtown core, five branches and a Bookmobile. It holds a membership of over 85,000, the Guelph Public Library system's goals include preserving and indexing public materials relating to the history of Guelph. Although no formal program has been developed, the library acquires municipal records of archival value from the City of Guelph.

Government

Municipal

Guelph City Hall at Night, Guelph, ON

The city is a single-tier municipality governed by a mayor-council system. The structure of the municipal government is stipulated by the Ontario Municipal Act of 2001. There are currently 12 councillors and a mayor, with 2 councillors representing each of the six wards.

The mayor and members of the city council serve four-year terms without term limits, with the next election in November 2010. Prior to the 2006 election, the mayor and city councillors served three-year terms.

Guelph City Council is responsible for policy and decision making, monitoring the operation and performance of the city, analyzing and approving budgets and determining spending priorities.

In 2006, Karen Farbridge defeated incumbent mayor Kate Quarrie, 51% to 35% along with 8 new City councilors who replaced many of the long-time council members.

Provincial

Guelph occupies a single provincial riding of the same name, and is currently represented in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by Liz Sandals, a member of the ruling Ontario Liberal Party.

Federal

Guelph also occupies a federal riding of the same name, and has been represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of Canada by Frank Valeriote of the Liberal Party of Canada since 2008.

Culture

Church of Our Lady, above city

An old church

Riparian restoration

Historic sites

• Downtown Guelph: Many downtown streets are lined with Victorian era buildings, which are now well over a century old.
• Guelph Civic Museum, a museum located near Downtown Guelph. At Guelph Civic Museum one can find pictures, films and other antique materials related to the historic development of the City of Guelph at a 1850- three-story Guelph limestone building.

National Historic Sites

• Guelph City Hall, a formal, classical civic building; built in 1856-57.
• McCrae House, home of John McCrae, author of "In Flanders Fields".
• Church of Our Lady Immaculate, a Roman Catholic church, located downtown, is a local landmark.

Outdoor attractions

Most of the natural attractions of Guelph are located beside the two rivers which pass inside the city, Speed River and Eramosa River.

• Guelph Lake
• University of Guelph Arboretum
• Riverside Park, located beside the Speed River at north of Guelph
• York Road Park
• Hanlon Creek Park (Preservation Park)
• Royal City Park and Wellington Street nature sites
• Exhibition Park (the oldest park in Guelph)

Indoor sports facilities

• Guelph Grotto Climbing Gym
• The Ward Skate Park
• Guelph Community Sports Dome

Arts facilities

The Macdonald Stewart Art Centre serves the community by providing a balanced program of temporary exhibitions of contemporary and historical art, craft and design drawn from regional, national and international sources. As the major public collection in this area, the collection is presented through specialized exhibitions.

The Bookshelf Ebar Art Space showcases monthly exhibits of local and regional artists. It functions as Guelph's main alternative art space located in the downtown core.

Ed Video Media Arts Centre is one of Canada's leading artist-run centres devoted to the proliferation and appreciation of Canadian media art and film, and is the main driving force behind a growing movement of professional filmmakers within the region. Ed Video carries out an ongoing monthly programming schedule of regional and national media art.

The River Run Centre, opened in 1997, serves as Guelph's premier performing arts centre. Encompassing three separate halls (including Canada Company Hall, Co-operators Hall, and the 785-seat Main Stage), River Run has played host to corporate functions, as well as dramatic and musical performances.

The Guelph Youth Music Centre is a permanent facility in which Guelph youth can participate in music and arts education and activities. In 1992, the former Heritage Seed Company along the Speed River was purchased by the City of Guelph and turned over to the GYMC under a long-term lease. Following an extensive renovation, GYMC opened their new facility in September 2001. The Centre includes a beautiful 180-seat Recital Hall, a dance studio and 15 rehearsal and teaching studios. The Centre provides a forum for affordable leadership, teaching, rehearsal and performance for hundreds of local music and arts students.

Music

Music has always played a large part in the lives of people living in Guelph. From a Bell Organ factory to the opera singer Edward Johnson, Guelph has been a source of musical contribution. Today, Guelph is particularly notable for its indie rock scene, which has spawned some of Canada's more notable indie bands, including King Cobb Steelie, Royal City, The Constantines, Jim Guthrie, The Barmitzvah Brothers, Elbow Beach Surf Club, Flashlight Brown, Green Go, The D'Urbervilles, The Kramdens, Razor and Arise and Ruin.

Guelph is also home to the Hillside Festival, a hugely popular music festival held at Guelph island during the summer, as well as the Guelph Jazz Festival.^[14]

Sports teams

The Guelph Storm at home ice in 2006.

Guelph also has a very active lawn bowling club which is a member of District 7 of the Ontario Lawn Bowling Association. More information about the Guelph LBC may be obtained by going to this District 7 website.

Media

Print

• Guelph Mercury - Guelph's daily newspaper.
• Guelph Tribune - Twice-weekly community newspaper.
• Echo Weekly - Regional alternative newspaper serving Guelph and area.
• The Ontarion - The University of Guelph's student newspaper is published weekly and distributed throughout the city.
• The Record - A Kitchener-Waterloo newspaper that also covers Guelph and area.

Radio

• AM 1460 - CJOY, oldies
• FM 93.3 - CFRU, community and campus radio station based out of the University of Guelph
• FM 106.1 - CIMJ ("Magic 106.1 FM"), hot adult contemporary

Television

• Rogers Television - Channel 20

City weblogs

• The Fountain Pen - Guelph's Online Newspaper
• Guelph Daily - News, Information, and Opinion
• Blog Guelph - Photoblog and Soft Community News

Transportation

Bus

Guelph Transit provides local transportation around the city. On June 20, 2007 Guelph Transit launched a web-based system known as Next Bus^[15]. Global positioning satellites (GPS) technology and advanced computer modeling provide riders via the Internet, handheld devices (including Palms, Blackberries, and Web-capable cellular phones), or their telephones to receive accurate, real-time arrival and departure information. Intercity connections are made at the Guelph Bus Terminal.

GO Transit also provides service to both the University and the city's bus station via rapid transit buses.

Rail

Guelph Train Station

Guelph was the first municipality in Canada to have its own federally chartered railway, the Guelph Junction Railway. This 16-mile link to the CPR is still municipally owned.

VIA Rail provides daily passenger rail service from the railway station to London and Toronto. The Goderich-Exeter Railway and Guelph Junction Railway provide freight service.

Highways

• Highway 401 to Toronto and London.
• Highway 7 to Kitchener and Acton.
• Highway 6 to Hamilton and Owen Sound. This highway is known as the Hanlon Parkway for most of its length inside the city. The MTO has plans to extend the Hanlon to Kitchener, Ontario, as well they plan to upgrade the status to a controlled access Freeway

Twin cities

• Loria, Italy
• Castelfranco, Veneto, Italy

People

Notable people associated with Guelph:

See also

• Monarchy in Ontario

References

External links

• City of Guelph website
• Guelph Public Library
• Guelph Downtown
• Wellington County Museum
• Guelph Junction Railway

		Fergus, Elora
	Kitchener, Waterloo, Breslau		Rockwood, Halton Hills, Milton
		Guelph
		Cambridge, Puslinch Township, Hamilton

Guelph, Ontario Government City Council · Federal electoral district · Grand River Conservation Authority · Police Service · Provincial electoral district · Public Library · Transit · Wellington County Places City Hall · Downtown · McCrae House · Memorial Gardens · Church of Our Lady Immaculate · River Run Centre · Sleeman Centre · Stone Road Mall · University of Guelph Transportation Bus Terminal · Goderich-Exeter Railway · Hanlon Parkway · Guelph Junction Railway · Railway station Nature Arboretum · Arkell Spring Grounds · Eramosa River · Speed River

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