City of Windsor, St. Clair College and Friends of the Court Partner to Improve Landscaping at Mackenzie Hall
Under sunny skies and balmy springtime temperatures, Mayor Drew Dilkens, joined Patti France, President of St. Clair College, for the official announcement of a new community partnership landscape scholarship in support of Windsor’s Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre.
Stressing the importance of the project, Mayor Dilkens said, “Old Sandwich Towne is the oldest part of our community and this building has a significant historical connection with Old Sandwich Towne and the greater Windsor area. It is only fitting that along with the building being kept in good condition, the grounds should also be kept in good condition. Mackenzie Hall is an area that hosts a number of weddings and other outdoor events each year and is a significant part of our community.”
The Friends of the Court, in cooperation with the City of Windsor and St. Clair College, discovered an opportunity to employ a part-time gardener apprentice through a scholarship to be awarded to an outstanding student in the St. Clair Horticulture Program. With support of valued sponsors and community partners, the Mackenzie Hall Landscape Scholarship in the amount of $5,000 has been established. Financial sponsorship is provided by The Keg Steakhouse & Bar and two other local companies who wish to remain anonymous.
In late 2015, the Friends of the Court, a non-profit body appointed to inform the City of Windsor on matters pertaining to Mackenzie Hall, voiced concerns about ivy encroaching upon and overwhelming the building, and patches of Virginia creeper smothering bushes and trees. City parks and horticulture staff have seasonally maintained the property along with several others throughout the city, however The Friends of the Court recognized that regular, more frequent attention by a gardener was needed to manage ongoing landscaping and upkeep needs.
Phil Roberts, Executive Director of Parks and Dave Tootill, Manager of Horticulture, met with Friends of the Court and others, including volunteers, to discuss opportunities that would contribute to the enhancement and preservation of Mackenzie Hall’s landscaping. This discussion raised awareness and revived the intent to produce an upgraded master plan for the grounds, while recognizing historic plantings and the appearance of the parkette and other natural amenities surrounding the building.
“Providing students with experiential learning opportunities is essential to preparing them for entrance into the workforce, and programs offering mentorship with hands-on experience benefits the student, while also strengthening and improving our community”, said President Patti France.
“The development of this scholarship was a team effort, shared among the City of Windsor’s Parks and Horticultural departments; Sponsor Windsor within Communications; CUPE Local 82; St. Clair College and the St. Clair Horticulture Program; Friends of the Court and our scholarship sponsors”, said Mayor Drew Dilkens.
Feature photo: Mayor Drew Dilkens, Patti France, President of St. Clair College, Owen Jones, Board member of the Friends of the Court, Phil Roberts, Executive Director Of Parks, Leilani Logronio, representing CUPE Local 82.
Video of Mayor Drew Dilkens and Patti France, President of St. Clair College at Mackenzie Hall.
Story, photo and video by Joe McParland.
