Centre Wellington District High School students might soon focus on local food – from seed to sauces.
Council in committee of the whole on Monday gave recreation director Andy Goldie permission to negotiate use of the old stone house on the grounds of the Fergus community centre for a classroom. Along with that is land that could be used to grow food students prepare for fellow students.
Chef and teacher Chris Jess has been working on the idea for several years and said there are 300 students in classes cooking all day long. It has always been his plan students would not only cook food “but one day get to grow it as well.”
He called it “intensive gardening.”
Jess hopes to involve students not only with food, but also English, philosophy and small engine repair classes in the project, and said it would be “an all day project for sustainable agriculture.”
He cited using oil from a deep fryer to run a small engine. Students would have to figure out how to do that as part of their class.
For English classes, students could study Shakespeare and agriculture in his time. For philosophy class, they could ponder issues such as “Can organics feed the world?”
The old house could be renovated and turned into classrooms on the main floor, with food storage in the basement, and project rooms upstairs.
The four credit program would be geared to grade 11 students, and he noted it should particularly interest boys. He said boys then often buy their first car and get their first jobs, and that often means a dip in their marks. “I hope this focuses them,” he said.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj asked if the Upper Grand District School Board is aware of the proposal. Jess said he has the board’s support.
Councillor Kelly Linton said, “It’s one of the most creative projects I’ve heard of in a long time … It’s great. It’s awesome. It’s something the whole community can be proud of.”
Councillor Walt Visser said it is a great opportunity, but he would “like to see the building brought up to snuff,” and he asked about liability.
Jess said teachers and students “carry our liability with us.” He would check if the policy needs an amendment or if students will have to sign waivers. It helps that the building is close to the school.
Councillor Mary Lloyd had concerns for groups renting the house and property.
Jess has talked to some of them but was unable to reach others. The Fergus Scottish Festival, the Fergus Fall Fair and the Fergus Truck Show all use it. The Scottish Festival board gave its support.
Jess said there will have to be protocols in place with those groups, and he would like to tie the program to the fall fair.
Councillor Steve Vanleeuwen said the plan is “a great concept.” He likes to see township assets used and said, “This is one of those buildings that’s been sitting around.’
Goldie said in his report the house is being used for storage for parks and recreation and the building requires “some repairs to allow the facility to be used safely and properly.” He said the Fergus Lions Club at one time indicated interest in the house for meetings, but he has heard nothing from it recently.
Goldie said it would be a small amount of land used for growing crops. He explained the project would be operated as a not-for-profit organization and it is currently beginning its fundraising to cover capital costs.
Goldie said the program could start in February 2013 with initial work to start this summer on the land and buildings. He said there is a fair amount of work that needs to be done on the property:
– house upgrades would all be done and funded by the project, with no money from the township, an agreement similar to the one the township did with the Highland Rugby Clubhouse in Victoria Park in Fergus;
– all upgrades including heating, electrical and water, would need to be made to building code;
– upgrades to the roof, heating, water, electrical, washroom, windows, caulking, removal of and old oil tank, wall repairs, stairs and railings, painting and floor finishes;
– work with groups already using the adjacent lands;
– site security for building and farm operations area;
– parking requirements;
– relocation of parks and recreation storage (possibly to the planned central operations facility, which is still not decided); and
– development of a lease agreement.
Ross-Zuj asked Goldie if he would take charge of the negotiations on behalf of the township, and he agreed.
Council then voted unanimously to approve the plan’s concept, with the details to be worked out.
Councillors Fred Morris and Kirk McElwain were absent.
