Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre Board unveils architectural concept design

The Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre (OAFDC) board held its second annual live annual general meeting in Listowel on Thursday.

The main purpose of the meeting was to unveil the architectural design of the proposed agricultural science centre. After a lengthy process where 41 different firms applied, Moriyama Teshima Architects was chosen.

Chair of the Board Steve Dolson says the next steps to getting the proposed centre in Listowel built involve a few key elements.

"We're working on the experience planning and then the fundraising strategy and feasibility study. Those are two pieces of work that need to be done before we start the capital campaign. We will be putting out RFPs (Requests for Proposals) to consulting firms that are skilled in those areas," Dolson said.

In terms of designing the experiences that will be held within the centre, Dolson says there's still some consulting work needed for that.

"We're still looking for about $100,000 to complete that. By the time we're done the three pieces of development work, we will have had $500,000 invested in the project already, and then we can start the capital campaign," he added.

Dolson says the hope is to launch the capital campaign next year. He adds the centre will likely cost around $50 million to make a reality, and they will be lobbying various levels of government to try and help the process when the board is ready to begin fundraising for the build.

"We're trying to make use of whatever grant programs are out there, whether they be in agriculture, education or tourism. We kind of fit in all three of those areas. But at the end of the day, this is a unique project," he pointed out.

The architectural concept for the proposed Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre in Listowel by Moriyama Teshima Architects. (Photo by Ryan Drury)

For those unfamiliar with the proposed Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre, the goal is to bring a unique science and education centre to Listowel with a focus on agriculture and how it feeds all of us. The board has already gotten 10 acres of land donated by the Municipality of North Perth on lands adjacent to the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex in Listowel along Binning Street.

The architectural concept for the proposed Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre in Listowel by Moriyama Teshima Architects. (Photo by Ryan Drury)

You can find out more about the proposed build and the OAFDC board here: https://www.oafdc.ca/.