Current Events
Construction of New Guelph Gurdwara To Forge Ahead, Having Overcome Bigoted Opposition
by CHRIS SETO
The construction of the new gurdwara on Clair Road in Guelph (Ontario, Canada) is set to begin as soon as the ground thaws.
“We’re expecting to get the final approval from the city by the end of next week,” said Dr. Ravi Singh, president of the Guelph Sikh Society on Wednesday, March 7, 2012.
He said the landscaping is set to begin as soon as the frost leaves the soil. After that comes the grading process in preparation for construction of the building.
In 2011, the Sikh Society’s development project faced opposition from the Westminster Woods Residents’ Association when it was appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Although it was eventually dropped, the Society incurred $10,000 in fees and a four-month construction delay preparing to defend itself against the appeal. As an act of neighbourly reconciliation, the Society decided it would pay the fees without trying to recoup these expenses.
Ravi Singh said he’s hopeful the Society won’t face additional opposition to the building of the gurdwara.
He said if everything goes according to plan, the Guelph community will be invited to a Vaisakhi celebration on April 13, the day commemorating the birth of the Khalsa. Ravi Singh hopes to use this day to announce the beginning of construction.
He said the gurdwara is not expected to be complete until 2013.
[Courtesy: Guelph Mercury]
March 9, 2012
Conversation about this article
1: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), March 09, 2012, 8:07 AM.
Great news!