Guelph Central Station renovations will not affect commuters and travellers
With Go Transit, Greyhound Buses, VIA Rail trains, and Guelph city buses now all running out of Guelph Central Station, the city has set a plan for the station to begin renovations in May 2016. Plans for renovations include: improvements to the main and south entrances, the addition of ticket booths for Greyhound and Go Transit, upgrades to the bathrooms, and an addition of a new accessible bathroom.
Additionally, plans for a new management office, a new lunchroom for Guelph transit drivers, upgrades to the windows and seating areas, as well as a new access to the basement for maintenance purposes are expected to be included in the renovations.
[pullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…much of the structure will remain untouched.[/pullquote]
These renovations will improve the commuting experience by creating a shared space for all transit providers, while honouring the heritage features of the station. Guelph Central Station was built in 1911, with designs and materials unique to Guelph. Many train stations across Ontario are a source of pride for cities and towns, and Guelph is no exception.
In spite of the renovations, much of the structure will remain untouched. For instance, the roofline, exterior stone walls, all original exterior woodwork, the window and door openings, the ceramic tiles of the floor, and the original coved ceiling in the waiting room will all remain unchanged. These features are protected by Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, by which all renovations on historical landmarks must undergo a hearing and be approved in order to protect cultural heritage.
The renovations were originally tendered in October of 2013. City council set a budget of $925,000. However it was difficult to find a contractor who would remain within this budget. Finally, in December 2015, city council approved a budget of $2,100,000 for renovations under which the tender could be reissued. A contractor has not yet been awarded the project, but is set to be announced some time in April 2016.
The renovations will make the Guelph Central Station more wheelchair accessible, as well as more energy efficient. In addition, Go Transit, VIA Rail, and Greyhound will all have ticket booths, allowing customers in need of assistance to more easily find information.
There will be no service impacts, as construction will be taking place in phases, to ensure that operations for each of the services can continue to run smoothly. What commuters can expect is to see a small portion sectioned off at the time of renovations.
In an interview with The Ontarion, Mario Petricevic, General Manager of the Guelph Central Station, said that commuters should prepare to see construction signage throughout the station and to be aware of these signs.
With all these improvements to the station, Guelph is making commuting easier and more enjoyable. This in turn improves the quality of life and accessibility of Guelph, while ensuring it maintains the historical integrity that the city is known for.