Dorchester, Ontario

Dorchester
Nickname(s): Dodge
Dorchester
Coordinates: 42°59′N 81°04′W / 42.983°N 81.067°W / 42.983; -81.067Coordinates: 42°59′N 81°04′W / 42.983°N 81.067°W / 42.983; -81.067
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
County	Middlesex
Website	www.thamescentre.on.ca

Dorchester is the residential and commercial core of the municipality of Thames Centre, located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, a few kilometres directly east from the city of London. According to the Canada 2006 Census, the town has a population of 9,329.^[1]

The local arena recently underwent a 10 million-dollar expansion and opened on November 2, 2010. This expansion added a second NHL-sized ice pad, a gymnasium, and many other facilities to go along with upgrades to the existing part. It is now home to the Dorchester Dolphins Jr. C team. Much of the funds raised were done by local events such as Raise the Roof and TC Rocks, an outdoor concert. Dorchester is home to the "Fastest 5k you will ever run" in an event called Run to the Fair. Proceeds from the race support Lord Dorchester Secondary School.

Inspired by the 1989 movie "Field of Dreams" The municipality of Thames Centre is currently undergoing the construction of a new Outdoor Recreation Centre Complex, located at 3245 Hamilton Rd, Dorchester, ON. The new recreation center will consist of a baseball diamond, 3 full size soccer pitches, 2 mini pitches, a pond and proposed clubhouse. The total cost of this complex is an estimated $200,000. In the master plan, the municipality wishes to make the recreation center recognizing the need for child, youth, adult and masters play, as well as adaptive play for those with disabilities.^[2]

Geography

• Population: 12,000 (Thames Centre) ^[1]
• Population: 9,325 (Village of Dorchester)
• Crossroads: Dorchester Rd & Hamilton Rd
• Access: Highway 401 Via Exit 203 or Exit 199.
• Dialing Area Code: (519)
• Local Exchanges: 268, 202, 499
• Postal Code: N0L
• Water Bodies: The Thames River flows through the village from the east to the west.

Schools

There are four schools in Dorchester. As with most of the schools in the areas surrounding London, they are part of either the Thames Valley District School Board or the London District Catholic School Board.

• River Heights Public School: Located on Hamilton Road. This is a school for children in junior kindergarten to Grade 3.
• Northdale Central Public School: Located on Catherine Street. Most children come here after River Heights, for Grades 4 to 8.
• St. David's Catholic School: Also on Catherine Street, next to Northdale. This school is for Catholic children from Kindergarten to Grade 8.
• Lord Dorchester Secondary School: Located on Queen Street. This is Dorchester's only secondary school.

Media

Dorchester has a community newspaper, The Signpost.^[3]

References